Rep. Brent Powell

Maddy summaryHB 1211 removes two procedural requirements for Mississippi municipalities when granting utility franchises or street usage rights. Specifically, it eliminates the need for municipal ordinances on these matters to receive voter approval (a majority of qualified electors) and removes the requirement that such ordinances be read by the municipal clerk before final passage. This change directly affects local governments in Mississippi that issue utility franchises or permit street usage, streamlining their ordinance process. The bill simplifies administrative steps without altering the substantive authority of municipalities to grant such franchises. The law took effect after being signed by the governor on March 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1297 updates Mississippi's penalty structure for public utilities violating natural gas pipeline safety rules. It revises the maximum civil fine to align with the federal maximum penalty set under 49 U.S.C. § 60122 and 49 C.F.R. § 190.223, instead of a separate state limit. This directly affects natural gas pipeline operators regulated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. The change ensures state penalties match federal standards without altering safety requirements or creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1199 authorizes Mississippi's Secretary of State to use the existing Land Records Maintenance Fund to contract with vendors for routine upkeep of unredeemed tax-sale lands (blighted properties) that remain unsold. This directly affects counties and municipalities responsible for maintaining these properties, allowing them to cover costs like mowing, debris removal, and minor repairs through competitive vendor contracts. The bill also prevents unspent funds in this dedicated account from lapsing into the General Fund at year-end. While the bill passed the House in January 2025, it died in the Senate Committee on Public Property and Appropriations on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 increases staffing in Mississippi's Twentieth Circuit Court District by amending two statutes. It raises the authorized number of assistant district attorneys from 11 to 13 (under Section 25-31-5) and adds one criminal investigator position, increasing the total to three (under Section 25-31-10). The bill directly affects the Twentieth Circuit Court District's prosecution office, which covers counties including Hinds, Rankin, and Madison. These changes would allow the district attorney's office to hire additional staff for criminal prosecutions, subject to available funding. The bill was referred to committee but died there on March 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 937 amends Mississippi Code Section 19-5-22 to clarify who can serve as a hearing officer for disputes over unpaid solid waste fees. It allows county boards of supervisors to appoint a hearing officer from their own membership, county staff, or another qualified impartial person - excluding the board attorney or tax collector's staff - to handle these disputes. This change directly affects property owners and waste generators who owe delinquent fees, as well as county boards managing the collection process. The bill specifies that hearing officers must remain impartial, with no conflicts of interest or personal stake in the outcome.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 requires that land sold at a tax sale automatically transfers to the State of Mississippi if the purchaser does not demand a deed within 90 days after the redemption period ends. The chancery clerk must then certify the land to the Secretary of State within 30 days, and the taxing authority cancels any debt accrued during the redemption period. This applies to lands sold for nonpayment of taxes on or after July 1, 2025. The bill updates procedures for recording such land transfers and ensures the state gains clear title without requiring additional legal action.

Maddy summaryHB 1177 modifies Mississippi's telephone solicitation law to permit insurance companies selling Medicare Advantage or Supplement plans to call consumers under two conditions: if the consumer already has a business relationship with the company, or if the consumer initiated the request for a call. It removes prior restrictions that prohibited such calls, aligning state law with federal Medicare rules. The bill specifically affects Medicare plan sellers and consumers who have engaged with these companies before or requested contact. Key provisions clarify that calls must follow the established business relationship or consumer-initiated request exceptions. This change directly impacts how insurance providers may contact potential Medicare plan customers.

Maddy summaryHB 1175 would allow licensed wine producers (including out-of-state manufacturers) to sell and ship wine directly to Mississippi residents, subject to specific rules. To qualify, producers must obtain a "direct shipper's permit" from the Mississippi Department of Revenue, pay applicable taxes, and follow restrictions like selling only wine (not beer or spirits), limiting sales to 12 bottles per person annually, and requiring recipients to be 21+ for delivery. The bill mandates detailed recordkeeping for shipments, prohibits resale of shipped wine, and directs a portion of the tax revenue to mental health programs. It directly affects wine producers seeking to sell in Mississippi and residents purchasing wine directly from out-of-state sources.

Maddy summaryHB 558 would amend Mississippi law to allow a person to own up to two package retailer's permits (for stores selling sealed alcoholic beverages) instead of the current limit of one permit. This change applies to existing permit holders who wish to expand their business operations, subject to department approval under specified conditions. The bill directly affects business owners operating alcohol package stores in Mississippi. However, the bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill renounces Mississippi's state policy of prohibition, allowing the legal sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages statewide starting January 1, 2026, except in counties that vote to institute prohibition through a public election. It revises the frequency at which counties can hold prohibition elections and updates rules for delivery services, including how package retailers contract with delivery permittees for alcohol shipments. The bill also legalizes alcohol possession throughout Mississippi (effective January 1, 2021) and adjusts regulatory definitions for the alcohol industry.