Rep. Earle Banks

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 69) is a formal expression of mourning and commemoration for Miller Bernard Smith, Jr., a Jackson, Mississippi radio host known as "The Mighty Burner" and "Junebug," who passed away on February 12, 2025. It honors his life, legacy, and contributions to his community, family, and Mississippi radio (WMPR 90.1 FM), while expressing sympathy to his surviving family. The resolution was adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives on March 17, 2025, and directed to his family, WMPR, and press corps. It has no policy or financial impact - it is purely a ceremonial tribute.

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 summaryThis bill appropriates $2.18 million from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority. The funds will serve as a state matching contribution for federal grants, enabling repairs, upgrades, and improvements at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport. The funding is specifically for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 2025-June 2026) and directly supports the airport's infrastructure projects. It does not create new policy but provides concrete financial resources to leverage federal investment.

Maddy summaryHB 896 appropriates $5 million from Mississippi's State General Fund to the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority for airport improvements at Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The funding directly supports the airport authority in covering costs for physical upgrades to the international airport facility. This is a straightforward budget allocation with no policy changes, as the bill solely provides financial resources for infrastructure work. The funds will be disbursed by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions.

Maddy summaryHB 1012 authorizes Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to fund the City of Jackson's costs for acquiring, removing, and demolishing dilapidated and blighted properties near state-owned grounds and within the Farish Street Historic District. The bill creates a special fund to receive bond proceeds, which must be used exclusively for these specific demolition projects. The state pledges its full faith and credit to repay the bonds, with any shortfall covered by the State Treasurer from unappropriated funds. This is a funding mechanism, not a new policy, directly affecting Jackson's property clearance efforts in designated areas.

Maddy summaryHB 688 appropriated $100,000 from the State General Fund to the City of Holly Springs for restoring the gravesite of Hiram Revels during fiscal year 2026. The bill directly affected the city government and the historical preservation of Revels' gravesite, who was Mississippi's first U.S. Senator and the first Black U.S. Senator. It specified that state funds would cover restoration costs through a state treasurer payment process upon city requisitions. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1686 appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund to Hinds County's Board of Supervisors to help cover costs for expanding broadband internet access to county residents during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The funds are intended to support infrastructure projects that would improve broadband availability for Hinds County residents. The bill specifies that state funds will be paid to the county upon proper requisitions, following standard state fiscal procedures. This is a funding measure targeting direct broadband expansion costs, not a policy change affecting broader regulations or services.

Maddy summaryHB 1020 appropriates $400,000 from the state general fund to the City of Jackson for demolishing a former industrial facility in the Farish Street Historic District. The bill states the structure is a public health, safety, and welfare nuisance, with funds covering demolition costs for fiscal year 2026. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 894 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund the construction of an emergency access road connecting Hawkins Field (Jackson Municipal Airport) to Jackson Fire Station 20. The bill directly assists the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority by covering costs associated with building this road. Key provisions include using state bond proceeds to pay for the road's construction and development, with the full faith and credit of Mississippi pledged for bond repayment. The road is intended to improve emergency access between the airport and the fire station, a specific infrastructure need identified in the legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1945 appropriates $21.89 million from the state general fund to Hinds County for specific infrastructure and public safety projects during fiscal year 2026. The funds will directly support the construction of a new county detention center, courthouse renovations, road repairs in Jackson and rural communities, water association improvements, and public safety equipment like surveillance cameras and emergency sirens. This bill provides state funding for existing county projects but does not create new laws or policies. The bill was referred to committee in February 2025 but died there and did not become law.