Rep. Lee Yancey

Maddy summaryHB 483 requires Mississippi public schools to provide parents of newly enrolled students (or students aged 18+ or in adult education) with information about local water safety courses and swimming lessons that lead to certification. The information must include age-appropriate options, note if courses are free or low-cost, and be delivered electronically or in print. Schools must provide this starting with the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "water safety" as education promoting safety around water to reduce injury or drowning risks.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (HC 17) proposes requiring secured bonds - meaning defendants must post money, property, or other security - for individuals charged with "bail restricted offenses" (crimes punishable by over one year in prison). It would prevent judges from granting unsecured release (like release on personal promise or unsecured bond) for such charges, except in limited cases where a judge deems it appropriate. The amendment defines "unsecured judicial release" to include common pretrial options like release on own recognizance. The proposal died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would require voter approval in 2026 to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 481 prohibits Mississippi from issuing new driver's licenses or learner's permits to individuals who are not U.S. citizens. It also requires non-citizen license holders to provide a Certificate of Naturalization to renew their licenses after expiration. This law directly affects non-citizen residents of Mississippi who currently hold or seek a driver's license. The changes would take effect on July 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 537, titled "State employees; authorize to use major medical leave for their mental health care or treatment," expands existing major medical leave policies to explicitly include mental health care. The bill allows all Mississippi state employees (excluding certain university staff) to use accrued major medical leave for treatment by psychiatrists, psychologists, or licensed counselors under the same rules that apply to physical health leave, including the requirement to first use personal leave for most absences. It specifies that leave for regular mental health appointments requires prior physician certification, mirroring existing provisions for chronic physical conditions. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 478 requires Mississippi healthcare providers to give parents a written notice at minor visits about their right to block others from consenting to their child's medical treatment. Parents can also designate specific adults (like grandparents or siblings) authorized to consent for their child. Providers must obtain parental consent (or a designated adult's) before treating unemancipated minors, with a 72-hour window to contact parents if consent isn't immediately provided. Exceptions include emergencies, mental health care, certain infectious disease treatments, and cases involving the Department of Child Protection Services.

Maddy summaryHB 533 would have authorized Mississippi pharmacists to test for and treat specific minor, nonchronic health conditions like the flu, strep throat, UTIs, lice, and COVID-19. The bill defined these conditions as short-term issues manageable with basic care or noncontrolled medications, allowed pharmacists to delegate testing tasks to supervised interns or technicians, and required health insurance plans to cover these services similarly to physician-provided care. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 480 prohibits antisemitism and other forms of discrimination (based on race, religion, ethnicity, etc.) in Mississippi's public schools and colleges. It requires these institutions to treat antisemitic incidents identically to race-based discrimination, using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism. The bill provides specific examples of antisemitic behavior, including supporting groups like Hamas, participating in BDS campaigns, or organizing events that harass Jewish students. Failure to comply after written notice can result in funding penalties or reduced state support, enforced by state education bodies.

Maddy summaryHB 555, the "Mississippi Forest and Agricultural Landowners' Fairness Act," requires nonresident aliens and federally tax-exempt entities owning forest or agricultural land in Mississippi to pay the same property taxes and income/franchise taxes as regular businesses, ending their previous tax exemptions. It mandates these owners to publicly disclose full ownership details (including tract descriptions and ownership percentages) to the Secretary of State within six months, with future transfers requiring 90-day filings. The bill also changes tax assessments to use fair market value (not reduced value) for land owned by these entities, excluding timber/crop values. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 568 would require Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to place all new first responders hired on or after March 1, 2026, into Tier 4 membership. This affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical service providers who join PERS after that date. The bill amends retirement system codes to establish this specific tier requirement for future first responder hires, without changing current membership rules for existing members. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 553 directs Mississippi's Department of Human Services to request a federal waiver allowing the state to ban SNAP (food stamp) benefits from purchasing candy and soft drinks. If approved, this would restrict SNAP recipients in Mississippi from using benefits for candy (sugar-based treats excluding flour-based items) and nonalcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk-based drinks or juices over 50% fruit/veggie). The bill requires a formal waiver request to the USDA within 90 days, with implementation planned for October 2026 if approved. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has not advanced further.