Rep. Lance Varner

Maddy summaryHB 709 would have required Mississippi public and charter school boards to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 2026, using a specific text and format (11x14 inch framed poster with a context statement about historical educational use). The bill mandated that displays include a historical explanation noting the Ten Commandments' role in early American textbooks and education. It also allowed school boards to choose additional historical documents for display and directed the state to provide free resources for compliance. This bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 1289 requires businesses that sell, install, or maintain commercial fire-extinguishing equipment and cooking hood systems (but not portable fire extinguishers) to obtain a license from the State Fire Marshal by July 1, 2025. License applicants must pass a competency test, certify compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and the International Fire Code, and pay a fee capped at $400. The State Fire Marshal can issue cease-and-desist orders and revoke licenses for violations, with penalties enforced under existing law. This law aims to standardize safety practices for commercial fire suppression systems across Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 1329 would require Mississippi adults aged 18-59 receiving SNAP benefits who have no children under 18 in their household and do not qualify for an exemption to participate in an employment and training program. The bill amends state law to implement a federal work requirement under Section 2015(d) of the federal Food and Nutrition Act, directly affecting this specific group of SNAP recipients. It would have taken effect July 1, 2025, but the bill "died in committee" on February 4, 2025, and did not become law. This policy change aimed to link SNAP eligibility to job training participation for able-bodied adults without dependent children.

Maddy summaryHB 596 would have redirected a portion of Mississippi's sales tax revenue from businesses with specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes into the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund. This fund supports conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives, directly affecting businesses in qualifying industries that pay state sales tax. The bill amended existing tax distribution laws to require this deposit, though it did not specify the exact percentage of revenue to be redirected. The legislation died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 creates a 13-member Sales Tax Diversion Study Committee to examine how Mississippi allocates sales tax revenue between the state Department of Revenue and local municipalities. The committee will review current practices, assess financial impacts on municipalities, and recommend reforms for the 2026 legislative session. It must report findings by December 1, 2025, and includes representatives from state agencies, large and small municipalities, and economic organizations. The bill itself does not change tax law but establishes a process to study revenue distribution.

Maddy summaryHB 1312 amends Mississippi's manslaughter laws to make it a crime to knowingly incite another person to commit suicide through any communication method (including phone, social media, or electronic messages) when that incitement results in the person's death. This change directly affects individuals who encourage suicide online or via phone, as it expands manslaughter charges to cover these cases. The law specifies that such incitement leading to death constitutes manslaughter under Section 97-3-35, with penalties including up to 30 years in prison for "child homicide" cases involving minors. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 770 allows Mississippi counties and cities to issue emergency licenses to out-of-state contractors during declared emergencies. It directly affects contractors from other states who need temporary authorization to work on repairs or construction in emergency zones. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of a valid home-state license (not "grandfathered" licenses), a recent criminal background check, a bond ($15,000 for home builders, $5,000 for specialty contractors), and a $100 fee. These licenses are limited to one specific emergency event, capped at $100,000 per project for home builders and $35,000 for specialty contractors, and valid only within the declared emergency area and duration.

Maddy summaryHB 1119 (the "Representative Andy Stepp Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act") requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacies at least the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) for drugs plus a standard dispensing fee, ensuring pharmacies are paid fairly for medications. It prohibits PBMs from charging patients more than the amount retained by the pharmacy and bans PBMs from penalizing patients for choosing specific pharmacies or favoring certain pharmacies in networks. The bill also mandates clear appeal processes for pharmacies disputing low reimbursements and prohibits PBMs from retaliating against pharmacies for exercising rights under the law. These provisions directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and patients in Mississippi by setting fair reimbursement standards and protecting patient choice.

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.