Rep. Fred Shanks

Maddy summaryHB 1513 would have required Mississippi to deny SNAP and Medicaid benefits to non-U.S. citizens unless they met specific federal definitions of "eligible aliens" under immigration law. The bill mandated verification of citizenship or immigration status using the federal SAVE system during enrollment and renewal, and required state agencies to report unverified cases to federal authorities. It also imposed new requirements on hospitals to collect and report patient immigration status during admissions. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1769 extends the expiration date of the Mississippi Debt Management Services Act, which regulates debt management service providers. This procedural change prevents the existing law from expiring, keeping current regulations in place without altering its provisions. The extension affects debt management service providers operating in Mississippi, ensuring they continue to be subject to the existing licensing and oversight requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1774 extends the expiration date of an exemption from Mississippi's Public Procurement Review Board (PPRB) requirements for personal/professional services contracts under the ARPA Rural Water Associations Infrastructure Grant Program. The exemption, originally set to expire in 2026, would now expire on July 1, 2029, allowing the State Department of Health to continue entering such contracts without PPRB approval. This bill does not alter the grant program's funding, eligibility, or operational rules. It is a procedural amendment focused solely on extending the procurement exemption period.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee, which was originally set to dissolve on December 31, 2029. The committee, composed of nine members including patients, healthcare providers, and industry representatives, advises lawmakers on medical cannabis access, pricing, testing, and regulations. This bill amended the committee's sunset provision but did not change its structure or responsibilities. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 1768 extends expiration dates for several temporary exemptions related to Mississippi's Medical Cannabis Act. It specifically delays the end of exemptions for employees in the Mississippi Department of Health and Department of Revenue who work solely on cannabis-related duties, including their exclusion from standard state personnel rules and procurement requirements. The bill also extends similar exemptions for contracts and purchases tied to the cannabis program, preventing these provisions from expiring in 2026. These changes are procedural, ensuring existing administrative flexibility for agencies managing the medical cannabis program without altering the program's core policies. The bill directly affects state departments handling cannabis-related operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1762 extends the expiration date of a Mississippi income tax credit program for railroads. The bill directly affects Class II and Class III railroads operating in Mississippi that make eligible infrastructure investments, such as track repairs or new rail lines. It allows these railroads to claim tax credits equal to up to 50% of qualified reconstruction or new infrastructure costs (capped at $5,000 per mile or $1 million per new customer project), with unused credits transferable to other taxpayers or carryable for five years. The extension delays the program’s automatic sunset date beyond its current 2030 deadline, maintaining the credit structure without altering the credit amounts or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1770 would have extended the expiration date for a requirement that operators of fully autonomous vehicles submit law enforcement interaction plans to Mississippi's Department of Public Safety. Currently, this requirement was set to expire on July 1, 2029, but the bill would have delayed that date. The plans must detail how to communicate with support staff, safely remove vehicles, identify autonomous mode, and address safety risks. This bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1672 revised Mississippi's Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act to improve payment processes for pharmacies. It required pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to provide written reasons for claim denials within seven days, prohibit "spread pricing" (charging pharmacies more than they pay), and mandate annual licensing for PBMs and pharmacy services administrators (PSAOs). The bill also created new rules against retaliation toward pharmacists, established a specialty drug committee, and required PBMs to submit annual reports to the State Board of Pharmacy. These changes directly affected pharmacies, PBMs, and PSAOs by increasing transparency and accountability in drug reimbursement. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThe Mississippi Transactional Gold and Silver Act, which died in committee in 2026, proposed to recognize gold and silver as legal tender for private transactions and state/local tax payments, if both parties agree. It would create a secure depository for physical gold and silver and authorize an electronic payment system backed by physical precious metals. The bill would have exempted all transactions involving gold and silver from state sales, use, and income taxes. Implementation would have required the Department of Finance and Administration to establish these systems within one year of the law taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 893 requires Mississippi public schools to create safety plans for students with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities who are at risk of elopement (unauthorized departure from school grounds due to disability-related safety concerns). Schools must form a SAFE Team (including a school resource officer) to develop individualized "elopement quick reference guides" for at-risk students, containing photos, communication needs, health considerations, and possible locations. The plan mandates immediate parental notification, coordinated on-campus response, and limited use of emergency services only when verified risk exists. Schools must train staff annually, maintain the guides, and submit the plan to the local school board each year.