Rep. Kimberly Remak

Maddy summaryHB 1314 raises the threshold for requiring competitive bidding on state purchases from $5,000 to $10,000, allowing agencies to buy items under that amount without formal bidding. It revises rules for reverse auctions, requiring agency or governing authority leaders to get board approval - and provide written justification - if they skip this method. The bill also adds exemptions for Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol vehicle purchases, county group contracts, and federal-compliant procurement. These changes apply directly to state agencies, counties, and local governing authorities managing public spending.

Maddy summaryHB 1361 requires Mississippi hunters of white-tailed deer to use an electronic game check system (via app, website, or digital tools) to report harvests. This mandatory program, to be developed by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, collects detailed harvest data to inform wildlife conservation policies. Hunters who fail to comply face fines starting at $100 for a first offense, increasing to $500-$1,000 for repeat violations. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and mandates annual reports to legislative committees on program implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1084 increases the authorized military leave period for Mississippi state and local government employees who are members of reserve military units. It amends existing law to allow more than 30 days of paid leave for training, without loss of pay, annual leave, or job status. The bill requires employers to reinstate employees to their previous positions upon return from training, with protections against termination without cause for one year. This affects all officers and employees of state departments, counties, municipalities, or political subdivisions who serve in reserve components.

Maddy summaryHB 389 requires Mississippi schools to accept a parent's or guardian's current Mississippi automobile registration as proof of residency when enrolling students whose families are on active military duty. It specifically applies to military-connected students whose parents are stationed at or transferring to a military installation in Mississippi. If a parent does not own a vehicle, they must submit a signed affidavit affirming the student's residence at the enrolled school district's address. Schools may also request additional documents like utility bills or lease agreements for verification. The bill does not change enrollment rules for non-military students.

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 summaryHB 390 appropriates $400,000 from the state general fund to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for a feasibility study. The study will examine the most efficient design for a specific corridor along Mississippi Highway 305 in DeSoto County, stretching from Church Street to the Lewisburg community. MDOT will hire a consultant to conduct this analysis during fiscal year 2027. The bill does not implement road construction or changes but funds preliminary research to inform future transportation planning for this corridor.

Maddy summaryHB 391 appropriates $10 million from the State General Fund to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to cover costs for widening the lanes of the bridge over Mississippi Highway 78 in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The funds are designated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. This bill directly affects MDOT, which will manage the project, and the residents and businesses in Olive Branch that use the bridge. The key provision is the allocation of state funds specifically for this infrastructure upgrade, with no additional policy changes or requirements beyond the funding mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 491 amends Mississippi's sales tax law to exempt sales of both children's diapers and adult diapers from state sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these products, as retailers will no longer collect sales tax on them. The bill adds these items to the existing list of tax-exempt sales in Section 27-65-111 of the Mississippi Code. The policy change takes effect upon enactment, providing immediate tax relief for diaper buyers.

Maddy summaryHB 419 increases Mississippi's homestead property tax exemption for a specific group: unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who were honorably discharged and are 85 years or older. The bill amends existing law to grant these individuals a full exemption from all ad valorem taxes on their homestead property's assessed value, rather than a partial reduction. This expands the current homestead exemption program to include this veteran spouse demographic, providing complete tax relief on their primary residence. The exemption applies to the entire assessed value of their home, not just a portion of it.

Maddy summaryHB 490 exempts sales of fixed-wing aircraft from Mississippi's sales tax if the aircraft is exported from the state within 30 days and registered and first used in another state. This directly affects aircraft sellers (like manufacturers or dealers) who sell to buyers planning to immediately move the aircraft out of Mississippi. The bill amends Mississippi's tax code to add this specific exemption to the list of tax-exempt transactions. The key requirement is the 30-day export window and out-of-state use, ensuring the aircraft doesn't remain in Mississippi for local use. This creates a clear policy change for aircraft transactions meeting these conditions.