Rep. Kimberly Remak

Maddy summaryHB 496 raises the threshold for requiring performance bonds and general liability insurance on public works contracts in Mississippi from $25,000 to $75,000. This means contractors working on projects under $75,000 with local governments can now choose a lump-sum payment at completion instead of providing bonds. For contracts over $75,000, contractors must provide $1 million in general liability insurance coverage, and general contractors become liable if subcontractors lack this coverage. The bill directly affects contractors, subcontractors, and public authorities managing construction, alteration, or repair projects for public buildings or infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 492 raises the spending limit for single-source purchases exempt from competitive bidding requirements from $5,000 to $7,500. This directly affects Mississippi state agencies and local governing authorities (like counties and schools) when purchasing commodities, printing, or certain services without competition. The key mechanism adjusts the dollar threshold, allowing these entities to avoid formal bidding processes for smaller purchases without increasing administrative burden. Purchases over $7,500 still require competitive bidding as previously mandated.

Maddy summaryHB 488 amends Mississippi Code §27-41-77 to remove a provision allowing landowners to reclaim excess proceeds from tax-sale land within two years if the property isn’t redeemed. Previously, if land sold for unpaid taxes generated excess funds (above taxes and costs), landowners could request payment of that excess within two years if the land wasn’t redeemed. The bill now directs counties to deposit all such excess funds into general county funds immediately upon sale, eliminating the landowner’s two-year claim window. This change takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting landowners whose properties are sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 493 authorizes local law enforcement agencies to partner with independent nonpublic schools (private schools accredited by MAIS or the state, not under state education board oversight) to place school resource officers (SROs) on their campuses. It requires a written agreement (MOU) between law enforcement and the school’s governing board, mandating at least one SRO per campus. The bill also sets training rules: non-sworn SROs must complete basic law enforcement training within two years, or lose their peace officer authority. This changes existing law to formalize SRO placements at these private schools while ensuring officer qualifications.

Maddy summaryHB 486 requires Mississippi public school districts to adopt a policy granting all school district employees (both instructional and noninstructional) free admission to school-sponsored athletic and extracurricular events governed by the Mississippi High School Activities Association. The policy must be included in employment contracts as part of an employee’s compensation and applies only to the employee, not to family members or others. School boards must implement this policy starting with the 2026-2027 school year, effective July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects school employees by providing a non-monetary benefit tied to their employment.

Maddy summaryHB 484 amends Mississippi law to exempt county and municipal employees from needing a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) when operating vehicles owned and used by their local government for work duties. Specifically, it adds a new exemption (under § 63-1-203(f)(5)) for vehicles controlled by local governments, operated by their employees during job tasks, and used to transport work-related items within 150 miles of a worksite. This change directly affects county and city workers (like public works or sanitation staff) who drive government-owned vehicles for daily operations. The bill does not alter CDL requirements for commercial vehicles or private drivers, only clarifies an exemption for local government operations.

Maddy summaryHB 494 requires all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools to display the Ten Commandments in a prominent location within every classroom by January 1, 2027. The display must be a framed poster or document at least 11x14 inches, with the specific text provided in the bill as the central focus. The bill also permits schools to display additional historical documents related to American or Mississippi history, culture, or founding principles. It directs the state education department to identify free resources for compliance and lists the required Ten Commandments text, which matches a version upheld in a 2005 Supreme Court case. The mandate applies to all classrooms in public and charter schools across Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 569 shortens the State Department of Health's (SDH) deadline to determine feasibility for centralized wastewater systems in subdivisions from an unspecified longer period to 20 days after receiving a developer's request. It also reduces the deadline for determining suitability of individual on-site wastewater systems to 20 days. If SDH misses these deadlines, all sites in the subdivision are automatically approved (subject to installer certification or environmentalist confirmation). The bill directly affects developers seeking wastewater system approvals for new subdivisions in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryMississippi HB 552 defines "geoengineering" as the intentional release of chemicals into the atmosphere within state borders to alter temperature, weather, or sunlight intensity. The bill amends existing pollution control laws to explicitly prohibit such activities and grants the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission authority to enforce the ban and impose penalties for violations. It directly affects any entity - federal or private - planning to conduct atmospheric geoengineering within Mississippi. The legislation aims to protect public health and environmental welfare by adding geoengineering to the state's regulatory framework under air and water pollution laws.

Maddy summaryHB 574 would increase the paid military training leave allowance for Mississippi state and local government employees who are reserve military members, raising the current 30-day limit. The bill requires employers to grant additional leave without loss of pay, time, annual leave, or efficiency rating, and mandates reinstatement to the employee's original position or an equivalent after training. It also establishes a process for enforcement through county or district attorneys if reinstatement is denied. This change would directly affect reserve members working for state agencies, counties, municipalities, and other political subdivisions.