Rep. Lee Yancey

Maddy summaryHB 937 amends Mississippi Code Section 19-5-22 to clarify who can serve as a hearing officer for disputes over unpaid solid waste fees. It allows county boards of supervisors to appoint a hearing officer from their own membership, county staff, or another qualified impartial person - excluding the board attorney or tax collector's staff - to handle these disputes. This change directly affects property owners and waste generators who owe delinquent fees, as well as county boards managing the collection process. The bill specifies that hearing officers must remain impartial, with no conflicts of interest or personal stake in the outcome.

Maddy summaryHB 611 revised key definitions and procedures under Mississippi's medical cannabis law. It defined one "Mississippi Medical Cannabis Equivalency Unit" as one gram of THC in concentrates or infused products, standardized dosing for patients. The bill also allowed healthcare providers to issue medical cannabis certifications via telemedicine for homebound or bedbound patients and required applicants for cannabis business licenses to wait until after receiving state approval before seeking local zoning permits. These changes aimed to clarify product standards, expand patient access, and streamline business licensing. The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 requires that land sold at a tax sale automatically transfers to the State of Mississippi if the purchaser does not demand a deed within 90 days after the redemption period ends. The chancery clerk must then certify the land to the Secretary of State within 30 days, and the taxing authority cancels any debt accrued during the redemption period. This applies to lands sold for nonpayment of taxes on or after July 1, 2025. The bill updates procedures for recording such land transfers and ensures the state gains clear title without requiring additional legal action.

Maddy summaryHB 1154 allows Mississippi notaries to perform remote online notarizations (RON) starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects notaries public and residents needing notarized documents, enabling remote transactions via video technology. Key provisions require audio-visual recording of all remote notarizations, define terms like "remote online notarization," mandate clear identification of remote individuals, and authorize notaries to certify electronic copies. The bill also clarifies fee structures and ensures existing notarial acts remain valid, with the Secretary of State establishing implementation rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1081 declares that parents have a fundamental right to direct their children's upbringing, education, care, and control. It prohibits Mississippi state agencies and local governments from infringing on this right unless a narrowly tailored law serves a compelling state interest using the least restrictive means. The bill would have applied to all parents and state entities like schools or child welfare agencies, limiting their ability to intervene in family decisions. However, the bill "died in committee" on March 4, 2025, and did not become law, so these provisions never took effect. (Note: The bill was pending but not enacted as of the provided status.)

Maddy summaryHB 116 requires Mississippi's State Department of Health to add Alzheimer's disease and dementia education to its existing public health programs. It mandates clear public outreach about brain health, early warning signs, and risk reduction - especially for high-risk groups - and trains healthcare providers on proven tools for early detection and Medicare billing. The bill directly affects Mississippi residents, particularly seniors and caregivers, by improving access to dementia-related information through current health initiatives. It does not create new programs but integrates education into existing outreach and provider training efforts. (Note: The bill died in committee on March 4, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 1853 authorizes Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to fund the construction, equipment, and upgrades of an infectious disease testing lab at the Mississippi Blood Services Building in Flowood. The funds would specifically support the Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency in establishing this lab to handle infectious disease testing for organ recovery. The bill outlines bond issuance procedures, repayment terms using state funds, and specifies that proceeds must be used solely for the lab's construction and related costs. This is a funding mechanism, not direct appropriations, and the bill died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 250 creates an income tax credit for businesses (corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or sole proprietorships) that make cash donations to qualifying rural hospitals. The credit covers up to 75% of a business's annual state income tax liability for donations to hospitals with 50 or fewer licensed beds, with unused credits carryable for five years. Donations claimed under this credit cannot also be deducted for state tax purposes, and the total annual credits are capped at $15 million, expiring after 2029. The Department of Revenue must certify eligible hospitals and manage credit allocations.

Maddy summaryHB 1157 would require used motor vehicle dealers in Mississippi to complete approved continuing education courses when renewing their licenses. This includes dealers who handle vehicle salvage, removing a previous exemption that allowed them to skip this requirement. The courses, developed by the Mississippi Independent Auto Dealers Association and approved by the Department of Revenue, must be completed within the 12 months before renewal. Dealers would need to provide proof of completion with their license renewal application.

Maddy summaryHB 609 requires most nonprofit corporations in Mississippi to file an annual report by May 15 each year with details like their registered agent, principal office, and whether they received public funds from state or local governments. Nonprofits that fail to file on time may face administrative dissolution (losing legal status), but churches are explicitly exempt from this reporting requirement. The bill updates existing law to clarify these rules and exempts churches from the annual report obligation, directly affecting nonprofits while sparing religious organizations from this administrative burden.