Rep. Lee Yancey

Maddy summaryHB 1140 creates an alternative notice method for individuals or entities that purchase property at tax sales and hold tax lien certificates. It requires these lien holders to serve notice on property owners and interested parties via certified mail or private process servers, with specific delivery rules and a detailed affidavit of service. The bill specifies timing (120 days to 30 days before redemption expiration) and allows lien holders to recover notice costs through a judgment lien on the property. This affects tax lien holders, property owners, and county clerks, while maintaining existing notice requirements under Mississippi law.

Maddy summaryHB 1720 prohibits licensed mental health professionals (including counselors, psychologists, social workers, and therapists) from using artificial intelligence in therapy sessions or for making treatment decisions, directly affecting how these providers deliver care. The bill allows AI for administrative tasks like scheduling, billing, and record-keeping, but requires specific written patient consent for AI use in recorded sessions and bans consent obtained through general terms of service. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per incident and disciplinary action by the licensing board, as the bill amends existing laws to include AI misuse as a violation. This bill defines prohibited AI use as excluding only therapeutic decision-making, while permitting AI for non-clinical support services under strict conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 1790 requires inspections and registration for home elevators installed in private residences. It mandates that licensed inspectors conduct an acceptance inspection per ASME A17.1/CSA B44 standards after installation or modification, and owners must register the elevator with the Mississippi Insurance Department’s Conveyance Safety Act Division. This applies only to elevators in private homes (not commercial buildings), directly affecting homeowners, contractors, and the Insurance Department. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 567 would require online political contributions made by credit card to include a verification code (like a CVV) and a U.S. billing address. It directly affects individuals donating online to candidates, political committees, or parties, and requires those groups to keep records of donor names and addresses. The bill also penalizes financial institutions that process such donations without these requirements. However, the bill "died in committee" on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 556 would have prohibited foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens not lawfully admitted for permanent residence) from contributing money or making expenditures related to Mississippi state or local ballot measures. The bill aimed to prevent foreign influence in local voting by banning such contributions directly or through others, and requiring people to not accept them. It defined "foreign national" using federal standards but excluded U.S. citizens. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1151 bans the sale of "nicotine-adjacent products" (defined as specific non-tobacco products like 6-methylnicotine and nicotinamide) to anyone under 21 years old. It requires retailers to verify age using government ID for in-person sales or third-party online verification. The bill also prohibits sales within 1,500 feet of schools and 1,000 feet of parks, churches, or youth centers, with enhanced penalties for violations near these locations. Retailers face escalating fines ($250-$1,000 per offense) for selling these products to minors, including tripled penalties if the product contains controlled substances.

Maddy summaryHB 893 requires Mississippi public schools to create safety plans for students with autism spectrum disorder or intellectual disabilities who are at risk of elopement (unauthorized departure from school grounds due to disability-related safety concerns). Schools must form a SAFE Team (including a school resource officer) to develop individualized "elopement quick reference guides" for at-risk students, containing photos, communication needs, health considerations, and possible locations. The plan mandates immediate parental notification, coordinated on-campus response, and limited use of emergency services only when verified risk exists. Schools must train staff annually, maintain the guides, and submit the plan to the local school board each year.

Maddy summaryHB 1077 prohibits retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers from selling or distributing kratom products to anyone under 21 years old, and bans possession of such products by minors in public places. It requires businesses to keep kratom products behind counters, verify age with ID for unacquainted customers, and label products with full ingredient lists and manufacturer details. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 per incident for businesses and $500 for minors possessing kratom. The law preserves local governments' existing bans on kratom (effective before July 1, 2025) and allows future local restrictions, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1201 creates a 25% income tax credit for developers who rehabilitate blighted, tax-forfeited properties in Mississippi, requiring costs to exceed $50,000 for owner-occupied homes or $100,000 for commercial buildings. The credit applies to eligible properties declared unsafe by local authorities and placed into use as residences or businesses within 36 months. Developers can carry forward unused credit amounts for up to 10 years if the credit exceeds their annual tax liability, or opt for a 75% rebate instead. This law directly affects developers who redevelop qualifying properties, aiming to increase property values and community safety through tax incentives.

Maddy summaryHB 1200, the "Real Property Owners Protection Act," creates a legal framework for property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants (defined as "squatters") who remain on property without the owner's consent after being asked to leave. The bill requires owners or their agents to file a sworn affidavit with local law enforcement, triggering a 24-hour deadline for the alleged squatter to vacate or request a hearing. If contested, a hearing must occur within seven days to determine if the occupant is a squatter, using a "preponderance of evidence" standard. The law also clarifies that owners (or their designated agents) exclusively control property rights, rental income, and eviction processes, while imposing penalties for false complaints and specifying procedures for handling abandoned property.