Rep. Justin Keen

Maddy summaryHB 1716 redirected $300,000 from Mississippi's 2024 Local Improvements Projects Fund to Marshall County's Board of Supervisors. The funds were intended to complete the Blackwater Road Bridge Project, which involves replacing two bridges and improving drainage to prevent road flooding. The bill, which died in committee on February 26, 2025, would have applied to the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025. This is a procedural funding adjustment, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 183 authorizes the State of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to provide funds for the City of Olive Branch to repair, renovate, and upgrade the historic Maples Methodist Church building. The funds are specifically intended to support the city's use of the building as a community events center and theater. The bonds would be issued by the State Bond Commission, with repayment backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Mississippi, using proceeds from bond sales to cover the renovation costs.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 211 amends the state income tax law to exclude compensation received for property taken through eminent domain or condemnation from taxable "gross income." This applies specifically to property owners who purchased the property at least five years before it was taken by the government. The change means eligible property owners will not pay state income tax on the compensation received for their seized property. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents who sell property to the government after holding it for a minimum of five years.

Maddy summaryHB 1706 allocates $1.5 million from the state general fund to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for fiscal year 2026. The funding specifically allows MEMA to purchase equipment that pumps or transfers drinkable water to healthcare facilities and other essential institutions during natural disasters that disrupt water systems. This bill directly affects MEMA's emergency response capabilities and ensures critical facilities can maintain water access when local systems fail due to events like floods or storms. The appropriation becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commends Captain Jimmy Wiseman of the Southaven Fire Department for his 43 years and seven months of service - the longest tenure in Southaven's history - and congratulates him upon his retirement. It recognizes his career progression from volunteer firefighter (1980) to Captain (1996), his specialized rescue expertise, and his decade-long service with Mississippi Task Force One. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to the city and its residents through the Mississippi House of Representatives. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create the "Mississippi Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program," allowing licensed bail bond agents to become certified bounty hunters focused on locating and detaining undocumented immigrants in Mississippi. It establishes a new felony offense ("trespass by an illegal alien") punishable by life imprisonment without parole, disqualifies offenders from voting, driving, or accessing state benefits, and offers a $1,000 reward for reporting undocumented immigrants to a dedicated state information system. The program requires DNA collection upon apprehension and funds implementation through a dedicated state treasury fund. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 819 proposed requiring Mississippi public school districts to adopt a policy granting cost-free admission to school and Mississippi High School Activities Association events for district employees. This would apply to all instructional and noninstructional staff, with the benefit treated as part of their compensation in employment contracts. The policy explicitly prohibits extending this benefit to family members or third parties. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 872, the "Health Care Facility Right to Visit Act," would require Mississippi hospitals, nursing homes, and other licensed health care facilities to allow patients to be visited by designated family or friends during hospitalizations longer than 24 hours, including during public health emergencies. The bill mandates facilities permit at least two designated visitors for a minimum of two hours daily while allowing reasonable safety rules (like visitor limits or health screenings). It also shields facilities from liability claims if they comply with the visitation rules. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and never became law, so it does not currently affect any patients or facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1040 requires municipalities seeking to annex adjacent unincorporated land to hold separate elections in both the municipality and the annexation area. It mandates that if 20% of residents in the proposed annexation area petition for an election within 60 days of a municipality's annexation ordinance, voters in both locations must approve the annexation by majority vote. The bill removes the previous requirement for court approval of annexations, replacing chancery court proceedings with this direct voter referendum process. This directly affects municipalities attempting boundary expansions and residents in territories targeted for annexation.

Maddy summaryHB 876, the Mississippi Emergency Drinking Water Network Act, creates a grant program administered by MEMA to help counties and rural water systems maintain drinking water access during emergencies. It provides funding for equipment like water transport trucks, transfer systems, and training for water operators and first responders to quickly establish emergency water distribution points. The program, funded by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, requires projects to be completed by December 2026 and mandates annual reports to the governor and legislature. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.