Rep. Fred Shanks

Maddy summaryHB 967 extends Parker's Law's expiration date from July 1, 2028, to a later date (though the bill text retains 2028 as the sunset), maintaining Mississippi's criminal penalty for delivering fentanyl that causes death. The law imposes 20+ years to life imprisonment for knowingly selling fentanyl resulting in death, while exempting individuals who seek medical help for overdoses or share fentanyl with friends (not for profit). It clarifies the law targets sellers profiting from fentanyl, not users sharing with others, and requires annual reports on convictions. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, after passing the House and Senate earlier that year.

Maddy summaryHB 1634 extends a tax credit for businesses in Mississippi's upholstered furniture industry that hire new "cut and sew" workers. It allows qualifying businesses to claim $2,000 annually per full-time employee in these new jobs for five years, continuing until 2029 (previously set to expire earlier). The bill also brings forward existing alcohol beverage statutes (like permit fees) for potential future amendments, though it does not change current alcohol regulations. This directly affects furniture manufacturers creating new jobs in upholstery cutting and sewing that didn't exist before 2010. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 951 extends the expiration date for Mississippi's intensive supervision program (ISP) and electronic home detention, preventing these alternatives to incarceration from automatically ending. The bill directly affects offenders placed in ISP (excluding those convicted of violent crimes or sex offenses), the Mississippi Department of Corrections (DOC), and courts that refer offenders to the program. Key provisions include requiring electronic monitoring devices approved by the DOC, allowing limited absences for work/education/medical needs, and establishing a fee structure (with waivers for students) paid into a special fund to cover program costs. The bill passed the House but died in the Senate Corrections Committee in March 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 950 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's "Prison Overcrowding Emergency Powers Act" (originally enacted to address prison overcrowding). The law creates a framework where, if prisons exceed 95% capacity for 30 days, the Governor may conditionally advance parole dates for non-violent inmates (excluding those convicted of murder, rape, or armed offenses) by 30-90 days, after reviewing efforts by the Parole Board to reduce population. It does not change sentencing or create new penalties but allows temporary parole adjustments during emergencies. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 971 extends the expiration dates for Mississippi's Health Care Industry Zone tax incentives, including property tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions on construction materials, and fee-in-lieu payments. The bill delays the sunset of these incentives from 2028 to 2033, allowing qualifying health care facilities to continue receiving benefits. To qualify, facilities must create 25+ new jobs or invest $10-$20 million (depending on location) and operate within certified zones near hospitals or health-focused universities. This affects businesses meeting specific job and investment thresholds under the Mississippi Development Authority's certification.

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 1699 appropriates $6 million from the state general fund to fund salary increases and required benefits for active sworn officers of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP), Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), and Capitol Police for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affects these specific law enforcement agencies' officers by providing funding for pay raises authorized under Mississippi law. Key provisions include the exact funding amount, the specified agencies, and the fiscal year scope. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 940 automatically expunges certain felony convictions from public records five years after completing all sentence terms (including fines and probation), restoring voting rights for eligible individuals. It directly affects Mississippi residents convicted of specific non-excluded felonies who have fully satisfied their sentences. Key provisions require circuit clerks to notify the Mississippi Department of Public Safety of expungement orders, which must remove the person's criminal history from state databases within 45 days. The bill excludes violent crimes, drug trafficking, firearm offenses, sex offender violations, and other serious offenses from automatic expungement.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) commending the Hinds Community College Raymond Cheer Team for winning the 2025 UCA National Championship in the Open Small Co-Ed Game Day Division. It formally recognizes their victory, highlighting their championship performance and resilience, and extends congratulations to the team, coach Kadin Adcox, and Hinds Community College. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it is purely a symbolic gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1453 extends the expiration date of Mississippi's Small Business and Grocer Investment Act, which provides grants and loans to healthy food retailers in underserved communities. The program supports new store construction, renovations, farmers' markets, mobile food services, and infrastructure upgrades to increase access to fresh produce - especially Mississippi-grown fruits and vegetables - in areas with limited healthy food options. Eligible projects must serve underserved communities (defined as areas with poor healthy food access), commit to selling fresh produce, and avoid competing with existing stores. The Mississippi Development Authority administers the program, evaluating applications based on economic impact, job creation, and community need.