Rep. Lee Yancey

Maddy summaryHB 1158 would allow Mississippi county boards of supervisors to appoint qualified, impartial hearing officers - such as board members, county staff, or external individuals - to review disputes over unpaid solid waste fees. The hearing officer must not have a conflict of interest, such as being related to a board member or the person owing fees, and cannot be the county attorney or tax collector staff. This change ensures property owners receive a fair hearing before the county notifies the tax collector about delinquent fees, which could block vehicle license renewals. The bill amends existing law to formalize this due process step in the fee collection process.

Maddy summaryHB 118 would raise the threshold for requiring competitive bidding on public purchases from $5,000 to $25,000 for Mississippi local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts). This means they could buy items costing $25,000 or less without soliciting competitive bids, though they could still choose to use bidding if desired. The bill updates existing procurement law (Section 31-7-13) to reflect this change for routine purchases like office supplies or small equipment. It does not affect larger purchases requiring formal bidding processes.

Maddy summaryHB 123 increases the maximum daily fee for grand jurors and petit jurors serving in chancery, county, circuit, and special eminent domain courts from $40.00 to $100.00 per day. This change directly affects jurors in these courts and the counties responsible for compensating them, as counties may now pay up to $100 daily (previously capped at $40). The bill does not alter the existing Lengthy Trial Fund, which provides separate wage replacement for jurors serving over 10 days (with a $300/day cap for days 11+). The new fee maximum takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 253 amends Mississippi's Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act to specifically exclude marriage and family therapy and psychology from its provisions. This means licensed professionals in these fields moving to Mississippi will not qualify for the streamlined process that allows out-of-state license holders in other professions to practice with minimal additional requirements. Instead, they must complete Mississippi's full licensing process, including meeting state-specific education, examination, and experience standards. The bill directly affects therapists and psychologists seeking to practice in Mississippi by removing them from the state's reciprocity framework.

Maddy summaryHB 254 removes chemical dependency treatment centers and psychiatric residential treatment facilities from Mississippi's Certificate of Need (CON) law. This means providers of these services no longer need state approval before building new facilities or expanding existing ones. The bill amends specific health code sections to delete these services from CON requirements, streamlining regulatory processes. It directly affects mental health and addiction treatment providers across Mississippi by reducing barriers for facility development.

Maddy summaryHB 362, the "Fresh Start Act," revises Mississippi law to prevent automatic disqualification from job licenses based on criminal records. It requires licensing agencies to only consider crimes directly related to a specific occupation, banning vague terms like "moral turpitude" and mandating they evaluate factors such as the crime's nature, time passed since the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation. Applicants with criminal records can petition for a review of their case, request a hearing if denied, and receive written explanations for disqualifications. The law applies to most licensed professions (excluding attorneys and nurses under the Nurse Licensure Compact) and must be implemented by October 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 121 requires sellers of secondhand mattresses in Mississippi to attach a permanent white tag with specific details: the mattress's material type, confirmation it is secondhand, and the original manufacture date. The tag must be visible (at least 6 square inches), durable, and printed in English. Violations carry fines starting at $50 for a first offense, increasing to $2,500 for third offenses. The bill, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, includes exceptions for householder sales, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)), and court-ordered sales.

Maddy summaryHB 60 would have allowed Mississippi state employees to use their existing major medical leave for mental health care appointments with psychiatrists, psychologists, or licensed professional counselors, expanding current leave rules that already cover physical health issues. This change applied to most state workers (excluding certain university employees not contributing to retirement systems) and required employees to follow the same procedures as for physical health leave, such as using personal leave first for initial absences. The bill did not create new leave days but extended existing major medical leave eligibility to mental health treatment under identical conditions. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 251 raises the minimum dollar amounts that trigger a Certificate of Need (CON) requirement for healthcare capital projects in Mississippi. It increases the threshold to $1,725,000 for major medical equipment, $5,750,000 for clinical health services, and $11,500,000 for nonclinical health services - each adjusted annually for inflation by the State Department of Health. Healthcare facilities planning major investments above these new thresholds must now obtain a CON before proceeding. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and other health service providers making significant capital expenditures. The bill modifies existing requirements under Section 41-7-173 of Mississippi’s code without changing CON eligibility for smaller projects.

Maddy summaryHB 766 would increase the maximum compensation courts can pay appraisers for property valuation services in Mississippi. Currently limited to $2,500 (with special circumstances allowing higher payments), the bill aims to raise this cap, directly affecting courts and appraisers handling eminent domain cases. The key provision requires courts to document special circumstances justifying payments above the new threshold. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was never enacted.