Rep. Omeria Scott

Maddy summaryHB 193 would have increased the weight given to low-income students in Mississippi's school funding formula from 50% to 51% when calculating base student costs. This change would have directly affected all Mississippi public school districts and charter schools using the state's funding formula, potentially increasing their per-student funding for low-income students. The bill amended Section 37-151-205 to adjust the multiplier applied to the percentage of low-income students in a district's enrollment. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 153 establishes the "Early Commitment to College Program" for Mississippi schools rated "F" by the state education board (designated as "College Opportunity Zones"). It requires all 6th-9th graders in these schools, and low-income students (eligible for free/reduced lunch) in other schools, to sign a "Save Me a Spot in College" pledge. Key provisions include a fee waiver for two or more years of public community/junior college or state university attendance upon program completion, annual reporting to the legislature, and collaboration with colleges to support students. The bill aims to increase college readiness and access for students in high-poverty schools, focusing on concrete policy changes like the pledge requirement and fee waiver.

Maddy summaryHB 163 establishes Mississippi's HOPE Program, administered by the State Department of Education, to help high school dropouts (up to age 21) earn diplomas. It provides grants to school districts based on their proportion of statewide dropouts, requiring districts to develop approved HOPE Plans involving community partners. Programs must include small class sizes (70-100 students), mentorship, flexible scheduling (evening/online/summer classes), dual enrollment with community colleges, and support services like career training. The bill ensures dropouts meet their district's diploma requirements while creating structured pathways to graduation through district-operated or contracted programs.

Maddy summaryHB 173 would amend Mississippi law to allow children who turn six on or before December 31 to enroll in first grade at the beginning of the school year in which they turn six. This affects families with children born between January 1 and December 31, enabling them to start first grade in the same year they turn six rather than waiting for the next school year. The bill also updates the definition of "compulsory-school-age child" in the state's school attendance law to include these children, making them subject to mandatory school attendance requirements at that age. The policy change standardizes first-grade enrollment rules for children approaching their sixth birthday.

Maddy summaryHB 20 allows physically disabled voters in Mississippi to cast absentee ballots from their vehicles at county registrar offices during regular business hours. The bill requires registrars to provide ballots in the voter’s car, with the voter marking it privately (while other passengers exit for secrecy), sealing it, and submitting it via the standard affidavit process. This directly affects disabled voters who cannot enter registrar offices, modifying existing voting procedures to enable curbside absentee voting without changing ballot requirements or eligibility. The bill amends specific sections of Mississippi’s voting code to implement this access measure.

Maddy summaryHB 23 would automatically restore voting rights for Mississippi residents convicted of voter fraud, crimes listed in Section 241 of the state constitution, or other crimes deemed disenfranchising by Attorney General opinions. Once these individuals complete all sentencing requirements (such as probation, fines, or incarceration), their voting rights would be restored without needing to apply or seek permission. The bill modifies election codes to require automatic removal from voter rolls upon conviction and automatic re-addition once sentencing is fully satisfied. It directly affects people with these specific felony convictions who are otherwise eligible to vote. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 29 would allow Mississippi offenders on probation or parole to earn time off their supervision period by participating in faith-based activities. Specifically, offenders could earn up to 5 days of reduced supervision for every 40 hours spent in approved faith-based programs, such as religious counseling or community service through faith organizations. This provision, set to take effect July 1, 2026, would apply to all probation and parole cases, including intensive supervision programs, and requires faith-based organizations to submit monthly participation reports. The bill does not change eligibility for earned-discharge credits but adds faith-based participation as a qualifying activity.

Maddy summaryHB 158 provides salary supplements, moving expense reimbursements, and interview cost coverage for teachers with five or more years of experience in "A," "B," or "C"-rated schools who relocate to teach in an "F"-rated school district. The bill amends Mississippi’s teacher salary laws to require school districts to offer these benefits to eligible teachers moving from higher-performing to lower-performing districts. It directly affects experienced educators willing to relocate to struggling schools, aiming to address staffing challenges in underperforming districts. The policy creates a concrete financial incentive for teacher retention and mobility without altering existing salary scales.

Maddy summaryHB 89, the proposed "Mississippi Fair Housing Act," would have prohibited discrimination in housing and real estate transactions based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or familial status. It would have directly affected real estate brokers, sellers, lenders, property owners, and renters by banning discriminatory practices like refusing service, unequal terms, biased advertising, or financial denial. Key provisions included voiding discriminatory housing restrictions (except for religious organizations' housing), prohibiting retaliation against those opposing discrimination, and allowing legal action for violations. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 161 would require Mississippi public schools to administer the EXPLORE assessment to all 8th graders and the PLAN or PSAT to all 10th graders starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The bill aims to improve college readiness by using these assessments to guide students' course selection, career planning, and academic support before they enter college. Schools must integrate assessment results into college and career planning by 2028-2029, with the goal of reducing remedial coursework and lowering college costs. The State Department of Education would track data on implementation and report annually to legislative committees.