Rep. Kimberly Remak

Maddy summaryHB 1791 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund specific highway improvements in DeSoto County. The bill directly affects DeSoto County by providing state financial assistance for two key projects: five-laning Mississippi Highway 305 between Belle Forest Drive and College Road, and adding a turn lane at the intersection with Cedar Creek Drive. The bonds would be backed by the state's full faith and credit, with proceeds exclusively used for these highway upgrades and related costs. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change to road design or traffic rules.

Maddy summaryHB 827, the "Rick Kennedy Act," requires that a person’s Mississippi hunting license be suspended if they cause injury or death to another person while hunting (using a firearm, bow, arrow, or other hunting weapon) and face criminal charges. The license remains suspended until the criminal case ends with dismissal, acquittal, or a not-guilty verdict. To reinstate the license after such an incident, the person must complete an approved hunter safety course, serve a one-year probation period, and appear before the wildlife commission. Law enforcement must notify the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks within 48 hours of the criminal charges being filed.

Maddy summaryHB 487 exempts dentistry and optometry from Mississippi's Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act. This means licensed dentists and optometrists from other states will no longer qualify for streamlined licensure under the existing law, requiring them to meet full Mississippi licensing standards instead. The bill amends Sections 73-50-2, 73-9-24, and 73-19-25 to remove these professions from the scope of the recognition process. It directly affects out-of-state dentists and optometrists seeking to practice in Mississippi without undergoing the state's complete licensing review.

Maddy summaryHB 532 would amend Mississippi law to impose specific penalties for false reports about crimes or emergencies at schools. It directly affects minors (under 18) who falsely report threats, violence, or other emergencies at public or private K-12 schools or colleges. Key provisions require youth courts to order at least 120 hours of community service, up to $10,000 in fines, or both for minors; violations of these terms could lead to 10-15 days in juvenile detention. The bill also mandates restitution for investigation costs and died in committee on February 3, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 500 makes noncompete clauses in healthcare provider contracts unenforceable in Mississippi. It applies to any contract (including employment or partnership agreements) with a licensed Mississippi healthcare provider that restricts where they can work after leaving a job. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and only voids the noncompete restriction - not other parts of the contract. This directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors and nurses) and their employers across Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 499 revises Mississippi's eviction process by setting strict time limits: landlords must serve eviction paperwork within 72 hours of filing, and courts must schedule hearings within 14 days. It mandates a 7-day move-out period after a judgment (unless emergency circumstances apply), removes courts' ability to extend this deadline, and requires landlords to provide tenants 7 days' notice to terminate leases if the landlord breaches the agreement. The bill directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords initiating eviction proceedings, ensuring faster resolution and clearer timelines. Key provisions include requiring service via mail and door posting, and specifying tenant rights to retrieve belongings within 72 hours after removal.

Maddy summaryHB 497 amends Mississippi's public purchasing law to exempt state agencies from complying with specific federal procurement rules when federal law already allows such an exemption. This means Mississippi agencies won't need to follow federal requirements for buying goods or services that federal law has already waived, streamlining procurement without altering state procedures. The bill does not change Mississippi's existing bidding thresholds (e.g., $5,000 or $75,000 rules for competitive bids) or state procurement processes. It applies to all state agencies and local governing authorities making public purchases, including for construction, commodities, or services.

Maddy summaryHB 498 amends Mississippi law to update procedures for handling personal property on properties declared a public health and safety threat by county boards of supervisors. It requires counties to provide written notice to owners before removing items, post public notices about property receipt, and give owners a specified time to reclaim belongings. If unclaimed, counties may sell the property at auction (with proceeds going to the county treasury) or dispose of it as surplus. This directly affects property owners in counties where such adjudications occur.

Maddy summaryHB 536 expands Mississippi's Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability Benefits Trust Fund to cover county road employees and municipal public works employees injured while performing official duties. The bill adds these workers - defined as those maintaining roads and bridges for counties or municipalities - to the list of "covered individuals" currently including law enforcement officers and firefighters. Eligible workers would receive 34% of their regular base salary (for up to 12 payments) for line-of-duty injuries, in addition to workers' compensation benefits but only for the difference between the two amounts. The bill updates definitions to clarify qualifying roles without changing the fund's existing benefit structure or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 485 increases Mississippi's MCOPS grant program funding for school resource officers (SROs) from a minimum of $10,000 to $40,000 per officer annually, requiring school districts to provide a 50% local match. It also raises reimbursement for required SRO training at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy from $1,000 to $2,400 per officer. The bill directly affects school districts and law enforcement agencies hiring SROs, mandating that at least 75% of an SRO's time be spent in schools and requiring a Memorandum of Understanding between schools and law enforcement. The funding supports new SRO hires, rehiring previously laid-off officers, or covering SRO salaries/benefits, with applications due by May 31 each year.