Rep. Trey Lamar

Maddy summaryHB 1460 would raise the maximum grant amount from $250,000 to $1 million for small municipalities (under 10,000 residents) and limited population counties (under 30,000 residents) using the Small Municipalities and Limited Population Counties Fund. The bill modifies the existing fund's cap to allow larger grants for infrastructure projects like roads, utilities, or equipment upgrades. It was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on March 4, 2025, meaning it did not become law. This change would directly affect eligible small towns and counties seeking state funding for local projects.

Maddy summaryHB 403, the "No Patient Left Alone Act," gives minors and adults in Mississippi healthcare facilities the right to designate a parent, guardian, spouse, family member, or caregiver to be physically present during their care. Healthcare facilities may limit visitation only for medical reasons, safety concerns, disruptive behavior, or policy violations, but cannot require patients to waive this right or terminate it. The Mississippi Department of Health must create informational materials for facilities and can impose fines (up to $10,000 per day) for violations. The law does not override medical emergencies or federal safety protocols and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1881 creates a 4% tax on gaming licensees' gross revenue to replace $50 million annually in lost state revenue from illegal sports betting. It directly affects licensed casinos and gaming operators in Mississippi, imposing the tax until mobile sports betting becomes legal in the state. The bill specifies that revenue from this tax will fund the State General Fund ($3 million monthly), a bond sinking fund ($3 million monthly), and highway repairs (specifically from sports betting wagers). The tax expires automatically once mobile sports betting is legalized, and the bill also adjusts how existing gaming tax revenue is allocated.

Maddy summaryHB 1904 authorizes tax credits for Mississippi business taxpayers who make voluntary cash contributions to designated student scholarship organizations. Businesses can claim credits against income tax, insurance premium tax, or ad valorem tax, limited to 50% of their total tax liability for the year, with unused credits carryable forward for five years. The bill defines "student scholarship organizations" as 501(c)(3) charities that allocate at least 90% of donations to scholarships for eligible students attending qualified nonpublic schools, while prohibiting funds from supporting abortions or direct beneficiary designations. This policy directly affects businesses making such donations and student scholarship organizations meeting specific accreditation and operational criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 523 reallocates $6.97 million from the Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant Program Fund to the Mississippi Development Authority for grants to 15 designated communities. The funds will support specific downtown revitalization projects, including Amory’s downtown district improvements, Biloxi’s creative district initiative, and Hattiesburg’s welcome center. These grants are for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026) and directly benefit participating communities by funding infrastructure, historic building restoration, and public space enhancements. The bill is a procedural funding allocation with no new policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1814 appropriated $1 million from the State General Fund to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) for fiscal year 2026. The funds would have been used to coordinate with the Mississippi Main Street Association to support community investment and downtown revitalization projects in small and mid-sized Mississippi communities. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1813 is a funding bill that proposes allocating $3,247,775.24 from the Mississippi Main Street Revitalization Grant Program Fund to the Mississippi Development Authority for grants to eight designated communities. It specifically directs funds to projects like Clinton's Sidewalk Connections, Fondren's Signature Streetscapes, Greenwood-Leflore-Carroll's Whittington Building revitalization, and others for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill details exact grant amounts for each community's approved projects, totaling the requested sum. It died in committee on February 26, 2025, and never became law. This is a procedural appropriation bill, not a policy change, solely funding existing program projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1242 extends the deadline for Mississippi's tax credit program that incentivizes investments in community development projects. It delays the expiration date for the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to allocate income tax and insurance premium tax credits from July 1, 2024, to July 1, 2029. These credits apply to investors who make qualified equity investments in Mississippi-based community development entities, directly benefiting investors and supporting low-income community projects. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 524 authorizes distinctive license tags for Mississippi residents who support the Mississippi Land Bank, adding it to a list of eligible organizations. Owners pay a $30 annual fee per tag, with $24 distributed directly to the Mississippi Land Bank, $1 to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund, $2 to highway maintenance, and $1 to a special fund. This affects Mississippi drivers who choose to display the tag to show support for the Land Bank, with the fees funding specific state programs. The bill amends existing law to include this tag option and its funding structure.