Rep. Justin Keen

Maddy summaryHB 828, titled the "Mississippi Fair Chase Act" (though mislabeled in the bill title), would have required landowners to obtain a depredation permit - alongside a hunting license - to hunt wildlife (including deer) damaging crops or property, with specific permitted methods like approved traps or firearms. It would have restricted hunting with dogs to properties of at least 2,000 contiguous acres and updated existing wildlife regulations to clarify nuisance animal control rules. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law, so these provisions remain unenforced. It directly affected private landowners, hunters, and wildlife management practices in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 1100, the "Mississippi Teachers' Bill of Rights," would require teachers to create annual classroom management plans and grant teachers immediate authority to remove students for disruptive, threatening, or dangerous conduct (like persistent refusal to follow directions or verbal outbursts) without prior administrative approval. It mandates schools to notify parents about removal authority, establish clear timelines for plan approvals, and ensure removed students are placed under supervised administrative control - not suspended - while requiring written documentation and behavioral support plans for repeated removals. The bill directly affects Mississippi teachers, students, and school administrators by clarifying classroom management procedures, prohibiting principal interference with teacher removal decisions, and protecting teachers from retaliation for using these rights. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1193 prohibits Mississippi public K-12 schools and public postsecondary institutions from maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, requiring diversity statements from staff or students, or teaching "divisive concepts" related to race, sex, color, or national origin. The law bans programs favoring individuals based on protected characteristics and mandates annual reports to school boards and the legislature on incidents related to prohibited practices. It directly affects all public schools, colleges, and universities under Mississippi’s State Board of Education, Community College Board, and higher education governing bodies. Signed into law by the governor in April 2025, the bill requires institutions to base decisions solely on merit and qualifications.

Maddy summaryMississippi's House Concurrent Resolution 12 (HC 12) is a state application urging Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It proposes a specific amendment to limit congressional terms: capping re-elections for both House members (max 6 terms) and Senators (max 2 terms). The resolution requests that Mississippi's application be counted toward the 34-state threshold needed to compel Congress to convene such a convention, aggregating with similar applications from other states. This is a procedural request, not a law, and does not change current term limits or directly affect voters or legislators.

Maddy summaryHB 1721 would have authorized DeSoto County, Mississippi, to purchase radar speed detection equipment for the sheriff's department to enforce speed limits on county roads and state highways outside city limits. It required that any fines collected from speeding violations detected using this radar be used to fund school resource officers in DeSoto County public schools. The bill specifically applied to roads outside incorporated municipalities and required county funds for equipment purchase. The bill was referred to committee but died there on April 3, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1689 would have extended the expiration date of a 1% hotel/motel tax in Olive Branch, Mississippi, from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029. The tax, levied on room rentals, would fund tourism and parks/recreation projects, requiring voter approval (60% majority) before implementation. It also permitted the city to issue bonds up to the amount of tax revenue to finance related improvements. The bill died in committee on April 3, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1803 extends the expiration date for a hotel/motel tax and related bond authority in Olive Branch, Mississippi, from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2029. The bill authorizes the city to levy up to a 1% tax on hotel/motel room rentals (excluding hospitals) to fund tourism, parks, and recreation projects, with proceeds dedicated solely to these purposes. It also allows the city to issue bonds up to the amount that can be repaid from the tax revenue, ensuring funds remain available to service existing debt. The bill died in committee on April 3, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1284 renames Mississippi's "Native Spirit Law" to the "Native and Craft Spirits Law" and defines "craft distillery" and "craft spirit" for the first time. The bill legalizes the production and sale of craft spirits under the same regulations as native spirits, while allowing both types of distilleries to operate one permanent satellite tasting room in any location that permits alcohol sales (previously limited to within 5 miles of the main facility). It also revises permit requirements, sales rules, and distance restrictions for distilleries, directly affecting Mississippi distilleries producing craft spirits and native spirits. These changes aim to modernize the regulatory framework for small-scale spirit producers in the state.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 104) commends former NFL linebacker K.J. Wright for his professional football career, including a Super Bowl championship, and recognizes his ongoing community contributions to Olive Branch, Mississippi. It specifically highlights his Wright Way Foundation's donations - over $50,000 to Olive Branch High School, $15,000 to Holly Springs High, and funds for championship rings and facility upgrades - as well as his annual charity events and mentorship for student-athletes. The resolution expresses the Mississippi House's gratitude for Wright's generosity and his role in supporting youth development in his hometown. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy or legal effect beyond symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1268 creates the Mississippi Save Our Service Member Task Force to study mental health needs and suicide prevention for Mississippi National Guard members and veterans. The 15-member task force - including military leaders, mental health experts, and legislative representatives - will assess current services, identify gaps in support, and develop recommendations for improved mental health resources. It must submit a final report with proposed legislation and funding needs to the legislature by January 1, 2026. The bill also establishes a separate task force for first responders, but its primary focus is on military service members' mental health.