Maddy summaryHB 1029 would allow Mississippi's State Registrar to issue a Certificate of Foreign Birth for children adopted from abroad without requiring a court hearing, if they automatically gained U.S. citizenship under federal law (Child Citizenship Act). It directly affects adoptive parents in Mississippi who have children with a federal Certificate of Citizenship, eliminating the need for judicial proceedings to obtain a birth certificate. To qualify, parents must submit the child’s Certificate of Citizenship, foreign birth certificate (with translation), embassy-certified adoption documents (with translation), the child’s Social Security card, parent ID, and proof of Mississippi residency. The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, but died in committee in February 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill (HC 31) is a procedural resolution scheduling a joint session of the Mississippi Legislature to hear Governor Tate Reeves' 2025 State of the State address. It specifies the session will occur on January 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. on the south steps of the New Capitol Building (or indoors if weather is poor), directly requiring all legislators to attend. The resolution was adopted and finalized on January 28, 2025, with no policy changes beyond establishing this formal meeting. As a purely procedural measure, it affects only the legislative body's calendar and attendance requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the official operating procedures for the Mississippi Legislature for the 2024-2028 term, directly affecting all state senators and representatives. It outlines specific rules for joint meetings, such as designating the House chamber as the default location and setting time limits for speeches, while also defining how bills are formatted, transmitted between chambers, and voted upon. Key provisions include requiring a two-thirds vote to reintroduce rejected bills, mandating fiscal notes to estimate the financial impact of spending or tax measures, and reserving the final five days of a session exclusively for appropriation and revenue bills.
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Rankin County, Mississippi, along with its municipalities and existing drainage districts, to create a new Rankin County Stormwater Management Agency to handle flood and drainage issues. The agency would be formed through a local ordinance or resolution and could optionally be approved by voters via an indirect referendum. Once established, the agency's board of commissioners must develop a comprehensive stormwater management plan within 24 months and collect annual utility fees from landowners, which can be appealed to the county Board of Supervisors.
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.
Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally recognizes and congratulates the National Conference of State Legislatures on its 50th anniversary in 2025. It highlights the organization's role in supporting state lawmakers and fostering cooperation among different states since its founding in 1975. The resolution does not change any laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the group's leadership and contributions to the legislative process.
Maddy summaryThis bill extends the Mississippi Critical Teacher Shortage Act and updates several programs designed to help schools hire and keep teachers in areas with staffing gaps. It continues funding for moving expense reimbursements for new hires, travel costs for job interviews, and scholarships for educators pursuing advanced degrees. The legislation also allows retired teachers with at least 30 years of service to return to the classroom for up to five years while still receiving their pension, and it adjusts award criteria for existing loan repayment programs. Additionally, the bill permits school boards to use non-school-bus vehicles for transporting small groups of students on field trips.