Rep. Lance Varner

Maddy summaryHB 1199 authorizes Mississippi's Secretary of State to use the existing Land Records Maintenance Fund to contract with vendors for routine upkeep of unredeemed tax-sale lands (blighted properties) that remain unsold. This directly affects counties and municipalities responsible for maintaining these properties, allowing them to cover costs like mowing, debris removal, and minor repairs through competitive vendor contracts. The bill also prevents unspent funds in this dedicated account from lapsing into the General Fund at year-end. While the bill passed the House in January 2025, it died in the Senate Committee on Public Property and Appropriations on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 816 proposes requiring Mississippi hunters to report white-tailed deer harvests through an electronic system (like a mobile app or website) developed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. This mandatory reporting would affect all deer hunters in the state, with penalties including fines starting at $100 for first violations (up to $500 for subsequent offenses). The bill also mandates an annual report to legislative committees and specifies that funds for the program cannot come from the department’s existing budget. However, the bill "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, meaning it has not become law and is not currently in effect.

Maddy summaryHB 1449 increases staffing in Mississippi's Twentieth Circuit Court District by amending two statutes. It raises the authorized number of assistant district attorneys from 11 to 13 (under Section 25-31-5) and adds one criminal investigator position, increasing the total to three (under Section 25-31-10). The bill directly affects the Twentieth Circuit Court District's prosecution office, which covers counties including Hinds, Rankin, and Madison. These changes would allow the district attorney's office to hire additional staff for criminal prosecutions, subject to available funding. The bill was referred to committee but died there on March 4, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 553 would have required all hunters aged 16+ to purchase a Mississippi Wild Turkey Stamp (or its digital equivalent) to legally hunt wild turkeys in the state. The bill set fees at $10 for residents and $100 for non-residents, with all revenue dedicated to turkey conservation projects like habitat restoration (not administrative costs). Violations would have carried fines of $25-$100, though penalties could be waived if hunters proved prior stamp purchase. This bill "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 requires that land sold at a tax sale automatically transfers to the State of Mississippi if the purchaser does not demand a deed within 90 days after the redemption period ends. The chancery clerk must then certify the land to the Secretary of State within 30 days, and the taxing authority cancels any debt accrued during the redemption period. This applies to lands sold for nonpayment of taxes on or after July 1, 2025. The bill updates procedures for recording such land transfers and ensures the state gains clear title without requiring additional legal action.

Maddy summaryHB 1081 declares that parents have a fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing, education, care, and control. It prohibits Mississippi state agencies and local governments from infringing on this right unless a narrowly tailored law serves a compelling state interest using the least restrictive means. The bill would have applied to all parents and state entities like schools or child welfare agencies, limiting their ability to intervene in family decisions. However, the bill "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, and did not become law, so these provisions never took effect. (Note: The bill was pending but not enacted as of the provided status.)

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 710 would exempt sales of both children's and adult diapers from Mississippi's sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these essential items, including low-income families and elderly individuals requiring adult diapers. The bill amends existing tax law to add diapers to the list of exempt items, similar to how food and medical supplies are currently treated. It does not change other tax rules but removes a tax burden specifically on these hygiene products. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

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 551 appropriates $20 million from the State General Fund to the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). This funding supports existing outdoor stewardship programs under Mississippi Code Section 49-39-7, though the bill does not specify new program details or direct beneficiaries. The legislation died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law. As a budgetary measure, it only allocates existing funds without creating new policies or regulations.