Rep. Jonathan McMillan

Maddy summaryHB 782 would have amended Mississippi's state retirement system (PERS) to provide law enforcement officers and firefighters who joined after July 1, 2011, with at least four years of service, with one additional year of retirement credit for every five years worked - effectively increasing their retirement benefits at no cost to them. It also allowed retired PERS members to return to work as law enforcement officers during critical staffing shortages while still receiving their full retirement allowance and salary. The bill did not change existing retirement contribution requirements or eligibility rules for other public employees. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThe provided context does not include the specific language of the amendment to Section 43-13-117 regarding Durable Medical Equipment (DME). While the bill title states it "revise[s] the calculation of Medicaid reimbursement for Durable Medical Equipment (DME)," the bill text excerpt only shows existing provisions for hospital services, laboratory care, and nursing facilities - without any mention of DME-related changes. Without the actual amended text or details of the new DME calculation mechanism, a factual summary cannot be generated.

Maddy summaryHB 1090 requires counties and municipalities using handheld traffic cameras (defined as "manually operated automated recording equipment") to confirm the driver's identity before issuing fines for traffic violations. It clarifies that officers must verify who was operating the vehicle to enforce traffic laws, such as speeding or signal violations. The bill also specifies that Mississippi will not recognize out-of-state fines from similar systems unless the issuing state participates in the Driver License Compact. These provisions aim to standardize verification processes for traffic enforcement fines.

Maddy summaryHB 784 allows retirees from Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to work full-time in positions where their employer has a documented critical staffing shortage while receiving their full retirement benefits. It directly affects PERS retirees who qualify for such roles and their employers, which must provide specific proof of the shortage (with numbers) and confirm the retiree's qualifications. The bill replaces previous limits that restricted retirees to working only half-time or earning up to 25% of their salary while receiving benefits. Employers must submit written evidence to the retirement system before hiring, ensuring the position genuinely has a shortage and the retiree meets the role's requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 creates a 13-member Sales Tax Diversion Study Committee to examine how Mississippi allocates sales tax revenue between the state Department of Revenue and local municipalities. The committee will review current practices, assess financial impacts on municipalities, and recommend reforms for the 2026 legislative session. It must report findings by December 1, 2025, and includes representatives from state agencies, large and small municipalities, and economic organizations. The bill itself does not change tax law but establishes a process to study revenue distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 770 allows Mississippi counties and cities to issue emergency licenses to out-of-state contractors during declared emergencies. It directly affects contractors from other states who need temporary authorization to work on repairs or construction in emergency zones. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of a valid home-state license (not "grandfathered" licenses), a recent criminal background check, a bond ($15,000 for home builders, $5,000 for specialty contractors), and a $100 fee. These licenses are limited to one specific emergency event, capped at $100,000 per project for home builders and $35,000 for specialty contractors, and valid only within the declared emergency area and duration.

Maddy summaryHB 1494 amends Mississippi trespass laws to explicitly include unauthorized drone surveillance over private property and correctional facilities as a form of trespass. The bill updates multiple code sections to define trespass as operating an unmanned aircraft (drone) without consent for surveillance, including a specific prohibition against drone surveillance of correctional facilities without written permission from the facility owner. This change applies existing trespass penalties - such as fines up to $500 or jail time - to drone operators who conduct unauthorized surveillance. The legislation directly affects drone users and property owners by clarifying that unauthorized drone activity for surveillance is now legally prohibited under trespass laws.

Maddy summaryHB 766 would increase the maximum compensation courts can pay appraisers for property valuation services in Mississippi. Currently limited to $2,500 (with special circumstances allowing higher payments), the bill aims to raise this cap, directly affecting courts and appraisers handling eminent domain cases. The key provision requires courts to document special circumstances justifying payments above the new threshold. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1221 would have exempted pesticide manufacturers and sellers from civil liability claims related to labeling if the pesticide was registered and labeled under federal EPA rules (FIFRA) at the time of sale. It specifically protected companies from product liability lawsuits alleging failure to warn, as long as the labeling met EPA requirements. The bill applied only to pesticides approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under FIFRA, not to all pesticides sold in Mississippi. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to address border security. The text frames the situation as an invasion and calls for the transport of undocumented individuals back across the border to Mexico. It does not create any new laws or alter federal policy but serves as a symbolic statement of solidarity with Texas. The bill was referred to a committee and did not advance further.