Rep. Zakiya Summers

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 summaryThis House Resolution commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony, a pioneering journalist, educator, and public servant who passed away on March 5, 2026. The resolution expresses sympathy to her family and colleagues while honoring her historic achievements, including being the first African-American woman to serve as an anchor at WJTV-TV12 and her extensive contributions to journalism education and public service. It recognizes her decades of work across Mississippi media, higher education leadership, and public health policy, highlighting her role as a trailblazer who opened doors for future generations in communications and public service.

Maddy summaryHB 17 creates the Mississippi Childcare Teachers Shortage Task Force to study the state's childcare worker shortage and identify solutions to increase affordable childcare access. The task force, composed of legislators, state agency directors, and community representatives, will examine wage incentives, review other states' approaches, and recommend strategies to support childcare educators. It must submit a final report to key state officials by December 1, 2026, after which the task force will dissolve. The bill does not enact immediate policy changes but establishes a process for future recommendations.

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.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) commending the Blackburn Middle School Panthers Football Team for winning the Middle School Football Championship with a 9-0 record. It formally recognizes their undefeated season, defensive achievements (six shutouts), and academic accomplishments of student-athletes. The resolution directs copies to the team, coaches, school principal, and press corps, but contains no funding, regulations, or policy changes. It serves solely as a symbolic honor with no direct impact on legislation or affected parties beyond the recognized team.

Maddy summaryHB 1838 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund park improvements in Jackson. The bill specifically provides funds for infrastructure upgrades at Jayne Avenue Park, Livingston Park, and the VA Legion Sports Complex, directly assisting the City of Jackson. The state would repay the bonds using its full credit, with any shortfall covered by state treasury funds if needed. Proceeds from the bond sale would be transferred to the city to cover eligible project costs.

Maddy summaryHB 1860 appropriates $500,000 from the State General Fund to the Mississippi State Department of Health for racial sensitivity training for healthcare professionals across the state during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). The funding covers costs associated with providing this training, which directly affects healthcare professionals working in Mississippi. The bill does not create new requirements but allocates state funds to support existing training efforts. It is a procedural appropriation bill with no policy changes beyond the funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 1840 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund upgrades and improvements at the Jackson Police Department Training Academy in Hinds County. The bonds, backed by Mississippi's full faith and credit, would provide funds directly to Hinds County for the academy's construction or renovation costs. Proceeds from bond sales would be deposited into a special fund designated for this project. This bill does not create new policies but enables state financial support for a specific local infrastructure project.

Maddy summaryHB 4036 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to provide financial assistance to Alliance Training, Inc. for repairing, renovating, and upgrading its worksite training facility. The bill directly affects Alliance Training, Inc., which would use the bond proceeds to cover costs for facility improvements. Key mechanisms include the State Bond Commission issuing the bonds as general state obligations, with proceeds deposited into a special fund for the company's project. The bonds would be backed by the full faith and credit of Mississippi, with repayment funded through state treasury if needed.