Rep. Earle Banks

Maddy summaryHB 1021 requires Mississippi's Department of Corrections to create specific case plans for inmates convicted of capital offenses within 90 days of admission. These plans must include at least two of four mandated program areas: criminal thinking, alcohol/drug treatment, life skills, or behavioral health, plus screening for physiological/social issues. The case plans must focus on understanding the crime's causes and preventing future offenses, with regular progress reviews every eight weeks and quarterly reports to the Parole Board. This applies to all inmates serving time for capital crimes in Mississippi state custody.

Maddy summaryHB 1560 requires hospitals receiving funds from Mississippi’s Burn Care Fund to maintain a State Board of Health-certified burn center. It mandates that these funds be distributed equitably among certified burn centers, rather than to non-certified facilities. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking Burn Care Fund funding by establishing certification as a prerequisite for eligibility. This provision, detailed in Section 7(7)(b) of the amended statute, aims to ensure burn care resources are allocated to facilities meeting state-defined standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1561 requires Mississippi's Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) to monitor all economic development contracts funded by tax dollars. It specifically directs the committee to evaluate whether minority contractors have fair participation in the bid process, contract awards, and bonding requirements. The bill aims to ensure equitable access for minority businesses by examining potential barriers in how contracts are awarded and managed. This applies to all projects using state tax funds for economic development.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 would require life insurers to provide funeral homes with specific details about a deceased person's life insurance policy within two business days of a valid request. This includes confirming policy existence, listing beneficiaries, disclosing outstanding loans, and stating payable benefits. Funeral homes must then inform beneficiaries in writing (in bold) that insurance funds aren't legally required to cover funeral costs or debts. The bill also establishes penalties for insurers failing to respond timely or for funeral providers making false requests.

Maddy summaryHB 1010 prohibits Mississippi counties from removing voter registrations from the Statewide Elections Management System within 120 days before any election. This specifically affects voters convicted of disenfranchising crimes (such as certain felonies under Mississippi law), as county officials can no longer purge their names during this final 120-day window. The bill amends election laws to ensure these registrations remain active until after the election, preventing last-minute removals that could disenfranchise voters. The policy change applies to all statewide, state legislative, and local elections. It does not affect voter registration deadlines or other eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to increase the annual salary of Mississippi state senators and representatives starting January 1, 2029, by setting their pay at 15% of the governor's salary. The legislation directly affects all members of the Mississippi House of Representatives and Senate, as well as the Lieutenant Governor, who currently receive a fixed compensation amount. Under the new provision, legislative salaries would automatically adjust based on the governor's pay rather than remaining at the current fixed rate of $10,000 per regular session. The bill also maintains existing provisions for daily session attendance fees and monthly office expense allowances of $1,500. This change would take effect on July 1, 2025, though the salary increase itself would not begin until 2029.

Maddy summaryHB 899 revises the geographic boundaries of Mississippi's Capitol Complex Improvement District in Jackson, as defined in Section 29-5-203 of the Mississippi Code. The bill updates the district's perimeter by adjusting street and highway lines (including I-55, I-20, and several city streets) that surround the State Capitol Building. This is a procedural boundary adjustment with no new funding, taxes, or policy changes. The revised boundaries take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1016 requires Mississippi's Department of Corrections to develop case plans within 90 days for parole-eligible inmates who committed violent offenses. These plans must include specific rehabilitation programs, such as "70 X 7" and "Love Your Neighbor," which focus on understanding the causes of the crime and preventing future offenses, as well as programs for societal reintegration. The case plans must be reviewed every eight weeks by caseworkers and progress reports submitted to the Parole Board every four months. The bill also mandates that plans be achievable by the inmate's parole eligibility date and requires contracting with outside facilities if needed to provide required programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1234 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education to create a mandatory civics curriculum for all public middle and high schools, to be implemented by the 2026-2027 school year. The curriculum must cover five key areas: foundational U.S. government, civic knowledge, critical thinking skills, citizenship responsibilities (like voting and jury duty), and respectful participation in democracy. It specifically mandates teaching constitutional principles, how citizens engage with government, and skills for informed civic action. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, so it has not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that asks the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to allow Mississippi to replace its current statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in the U.S. Capitol with a statue of either B.B. King or Elvis Presley. The proposal suggests swapping the existing monument for one of these two musicians because they are celebrated as iconic figures from Mississippi's history and cultural heritage. By selecting one of these artists, the state would update its representation in the National Statuary Hall Collection to reflect a different aspect of its identity. The measure does not mandate a specific choice but rather seeks permission to make the replacement if the committee approves the request.