Maddy summaryHB 245 establishes a Mississippi Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund to provide low-cost loans for projects that reduce disaster risks, directly benefiting homeowners, businesses, nonprofits, and communities. The program, administered by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), funds projects like floodplain management, updated building codes, and hazard planning to decrease property damage, insurance costs, and future disaster aid needs. Loan repayments are recycled into the fund (making it "revolving"), and MEMA sets eligibility rules, requiring applicants to detail project needs and funding sources. The fund must comply with federal disaster laws, and political subdivisions can offer loans to private property owners for mitigation work.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 92 would allow counties, municipalities, tribes, or state agencies in Mississippi that permit alcohol sales ("wet" jurisdictions) to authorize package liquor stores to sell alcohol on Sundays between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. through local resolutions or ordinances. Retailers would not be required to open on Sundays and could continue operating Monday through Saturday as usual. The bill amends existing law to remove the current prohibition on Sunday package sales in wet areas, while maintaining the existing 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekday sales window. It does not change current restrictions on sales to intoxicated individuals or other existing alcohol regulations.
Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.
Maddy summaryHB 1850 creates a property tax exemption for Mississippi homeowners and property owners whose assessed value increases by more than 5% in a single year starting in 2026. Specifically, the portion of a property's value exceeding a 5% annual increase is exempt from ad valorem (property) taxes, but this exemption does not apply to value increases from construction, renovations, or improvements - except those enhancing energy efficiency, safety, or access. It also excludes the first year when a property's use or classification changes (e.g., from residential to commercial). The bill applies to all property types and adds this exemption to existing tax breaks without altering how property value is calculated.
Maddy summaryHB 1545 updates Mississippi's tax incentives for broadband deployment by requiring equipment to meet minimum speed standards (35 Mbps down/3 Mbps up for mobile, matching FCC benchmarks for fixed broadband) to qualify for tax credits and property tax exemptions. It maintains tiered tax credits (5-15% based on rural area designation) but extends the property tax exemption period to 10 years for fixed broadband equipment placed in service between 2025-2030 (compared to 5 years for mobile). Telecommunications companies must submit verified equipment specifications, including speed details, to county tax assessors by April 1 each year to claim benefits. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, would have applied to equipment deployed after June 30, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1853 authorizes Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to fund the construction, equipment, and upgrades of an infectious disease testing lab at the Mississippi Blood Services Building in Flowood. The funds would specifically support the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency in establishing this lab to handle infectious disease testing for organ recovery. The bill outlines bond issuance procedures, repayment terms using state funds, and specifies that proceeds must be used solely for the lab's construction and related costs. This is a funding mechanism, not direct appropriations, and the bill died in committee before becoming law.
Maddy summaryHB 1719 exempts admissions charged at athletic games or contests between universities or colleges from Mississippi's 7% sales tax. This change directly affects colleges, universities, and event organizers hosting intercollegiate sporting events, removing the standard tax on ticket sales for these games. The bill amends Mississippi's tax code (Section 27-65-22) to explicitly exclude such admissions from taxation, aligning with existing exemptions for similar events listed in the law. It does not create new taxes or funding mechanisms but clarifies that these specific admissions are not subject to the state sales tax.
Maddy summaryHB 594 exempts electric power generation facilities from standard excavation notice requirements when conducting work on their own secured property. Specifically, it removes the need for the usual 3-10 day advance written/electronic notice to Mississippi 811 for excavation directly related to power generation activities. This exception applies only to work confined to the facility's immediate secured property and excludes activities on marked utility rights-of-way or easements. The bill does not affect general excavation projects or other notice requirements.
Maddy summaryHB 1185 authorizes local municipal water authorities and water associations to bottle and sell water sourced from their municipal supplies directly to consumers. The bill requires these entities to comply with all state and federal health, safety, and labeling regulations for bottled water. Revenue from bottled water sales must be reinvested into water infrastructure maintenance and community development projects within the same municipality. This policy change directly affects municipal water providers in Mississippi, enabling them to generate new revenue streams while mandating reinvestment into local water systems.
Maddy summaryHB 1184 allows Mississippi electric utilities to enter exclusive supply agreements with large commercial customers whose projects are approved by the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and meet specific capital investment and job creation thresholds. These agreements bypass standard utility rate regulations, permit utilities to build necessary infrastructure without prior commission approval, and keep contract terms confidential. The bill requires facilities built for these agreements to meet at least two of three criteria: grid resiliency, fuel diversity, or emissions reduction. It directly affects MDA-approved large businesses (e.g., factories, data centers) and utilities by accelerating infrastructure projects tied to economic development.