Rep. Stephanie Foster

Maddy summaryHB 4011 extends the expiration date of Jackson's existing convention and visitors tax from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2030. It authorizes an additional 1% tax on hotel and motel sales and a 0.5% tax on restaurant sales within Jackson, but requires a public election before these new rates take effect. The taxes would apply to businesses meeting the $100,000 annual sales threshold in Jackson (excluding small lodgings under 10 units and 501(c)(3) non-profits). This bill directly affects hotels, motels, and qualifying restaurants in Jackson by potentially increasing their tax burden if voters approve the new rates.

Maddy summaryHB 1488 authorizes the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) to sell or lease specific state-owned property in Forrest County, Mississippi, which USM currently controls. The bill requires the Department of Finance and Administration to follow USM’s recommendations for sale terms (after Board of Trustees approval) and mandates that property sold must meet fair market value (determined by two appraisals), while leases cannot exceed 40 years. Proceeds from sales or leases must be deposited into a special state fund, and the property must be used to support USM’s research, innovation, and commercialization goals without disrupting university operations. The state retains mineral rights to the property throughout these transactions.

Maddy summaryThis Mississippi House resolution formally commends the Tougaloo College Men's Basketball Team and Head Coach Eric Strothers for winning the HBCU Athletic Conference Western Division Title in the 2025-2026 season. The document recognizes the team's fifth consecutive conference championship and highlights their strong performance in the NAIA National Tournament over the past five years. Copies of the resolution will be provided to the head coach, team members, and the Capitol Press Corps as a gesture of official recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1713 establishes a state-sponsored life insurance program for Mississippi National Guard members, facilitated by the Mississippi Military Department and sponsored by the Adjutant General. The bill enables voluntary enrollment in coverage provided through the National Guard Association of Mississippi (NGAMS), allowing members to learn about, enroll in, or adjust their benefits during training events. It authorizes program representatives to conduct briefings and coordinates premium payments with federal systems (DFAS) for members who choose to participate. The program does not create new insurance but makes existing coverage accessible, with participation strictly optional for all National Guard members.

Maddy summaryHB 750 reenacts and extends Mississippi’s "Strengthening Mississippi Academic Research Through Business Act" (SMART Business Act), creating a 25% rebate program for investors funding research at Mississippi colleges and research corporations. The bill directly affects private investors and academic institutions by allowing investors to claim rebates up to $1 million annually per project, with the state limiting total annual rebates to $3.5 million. Key mechanisms include requiring research agreements between investors and colleges, mandating applications to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) for approval, and requiring proof of payment for qualified research conducted within Mississippi. The rebate covers 25% of eligible research costs but excludes expenses already funded by grants, out-of-state research, or medical cannabis-related activities.

Maddy summaryHB 660 formalizes salary schedules for Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHP), Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), and Commercial Traffic Enforcement Division (CTED) officers within the Department of Public Safety. It establishes specific pay rates based on officer rank and years of experience, such as Troopers earning $54,000 for under 4 years and Captains earning up to $104,500 for over 25 years. The bill directly affects sworn law enforcement officers in these divisions by defining their compensation structure through a detailed salary scale. It does not create new salary increases but codifies existing pay classifications for these state law enforcement roles.

Maddy summaryHB 1553 names Alcorn State University's biotechnology building at 1000 ASU Drive in Lorman, Mississippi, as the "Willie L. Simmons Biotechnology Building." The bill requires the Department of Finance and Administration to create a plaque detailing Willie L. Simmons' contributions to Alcorn State University and Mississippi, and to install official signage on the building's exterior. This is a commemorative resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 788 modifies Mississippi's election rules to allow voters who are not registered in the jurisdiction they are voting in (but are otherwise eligible) to cast an affidavit ballot. This ballot will be used as their official voter registration, adding them to the statewide voter rolls as if they had completed a standard registration form. The bill also allows the affidavit ballot to serve as a written request to transfer voting precincts or wards, and automatically reactivates voters who were placed on inactive status (due to a confirmation notice) after they cast such a ballot. These changes aim to streamline voter registration and address common issues at polling places.

Maddy summaryHB 1126 increases base teacher salaries by $5,000 annually starting with the 2026-2027 school year, with an additional $3,000 annual supplement for licensed special education teachers and $6,000 for certified occupational therapists and school psychologists. It also raises assistant teachers' pay by $5,000 and caps superintendent salaries at 250% of equivalent teacher pay, including district supplements. The bill includes related provisions for retirement benefits for first responders and revised roles for student success coaches, but its core focus is direct compensation increases for educators.