Rep. Kimberly Remak

Maddy summaryHB 821 authorizes local law enforcement agencies to partner with independent nonpublic schools in Mississippi to place sworn school resource officers (SROs) on campus through formal agreements. It requires these schools to ensure SROs complete basic law enforcement training within two years of hire, with loss of peace officer authority for noncompliance. The bill specifically targets accredited independent nonpublic schools (e.g., MAIS members not under State Board of Education oversight) and defines SROs as sworn officers focused on safety. The legislation amends existing laws to formalize these agreements and training standards, though it died in committee on February 4, 2025.

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 196 increases Mississippi's threshold for requiring performance bonds and general liability insurance on public works contracts. It raises the contract value from $25,000 to $75,000 for local government projects (cities/counties) before a performance bond is required, allowing lump-sum payments instead for smaller contracts. For contracts exceeding $75,000 with local governments or $5,000 with the state, contractors must provide $1 million in general liability insurance, and general contractors become liable if subcontractors lack adequate coverage. This bill directly affects contractors bidding on public construction, alteration, or repair work, and public entities like cities, counties, and the state. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have prevented Mississippi Medicaid from seeking repayment for benefits from ABLE savings accounts established under state law. It specifically protects funds in these accounts - designed for people with disabilities to save without losing eligibility for benefits - from being used to cover Medicaid costs after the account holder's death. The bill amended state laws to ensure ABLE accounts are exempt from estate recovery rules that typically allow Medicaid to reclaim funds from a beneficiary's estate. This change would directly affect Mississippi residents with disabilities who use ABLE accounts to save for future needs while maintaining eligibility for public assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 1181 shortens the review timeline for wastewater system approvals in new subdivisions. It requires Mississippi's State Department of Health to make feasibility determinations for centralized systems and suitability determinations for individual on-site systems within 20 days of receiving complete applications from developers. This directly affects housing developers who need these approvals to proceed with subdivision construction. The bill does not change the technical requirements for wastewater systems, only the deadline for the department's review process.

Maddy summaryHB 1275 establishes a grant program to help Mississippi municipalities and counties fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades to veterans parks they operate or maintain. The bill creates a special "Municipalities and Counties Veterans Parks Fund" in the state treasury, which will provide grants administered by the Department of Finance and Administration. Local governments must apply with project details and prove they've secured matching funds (at least the requested grant amount) from local, private, or other sources before receiving assistance. The program takes effect July 1, 2025, with unspent funds rolling over annually.

Maddy summaryHB 626 would allow Mississippi counties and municipalities to add public notice postings in at least three public locations and on their governing authority's website, alongside required newspaper publications. This additional method must run concurrently with the existing newspaper notice period and does not replace the newspaper requirement. If a county or municipality fails to publish in a newspaper (due to no fault of their own), the notice is still valid if they used the posted website and public location method. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 806 would make noncompete clauses unenforceable in contracts between Mississippi-licensed health care providers (like doctors, nurses, and clinics) and their employers. Specifically, it invalidates any restriction preventing a provider from practicing in a specific geographic area after ending their employment or partnership. Other parts of the contract would remain valid, but this provision would apply only to new contracts or renewals starting July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects health care providers and employers by removing geographic practice limitations upon contract termination.

Maddy summaryHB 625 would amend Mississippi law by removing a two-year window allowing landowners to claim excess funds from tax sales if their property isn't redeemed. Currently, landowners can request payment of amounts exceeding unpaid taxes within two years; this bill would eliminate that period. Counties would retain all excess funds from such sales without needing to refund landowners. This directly affects landowners with properties sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes who fail to redeem within the current two-year timeframe.

Maddy summaryHB 9 expands Mississippi's Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Death Benefits Trust Fund to include county road and public works employees who die or are injured while on duty. The bill adds these workers to the existing program that provides $100,000 death benefits to eligible law enforcement and firefighters, with payments going to designated beneficiaries, family members, or estates. The trust fund, initially funded with $200,000, is managed by the Department of Public Safety and is exempt from creditors' claims. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and never became law.