Maddy summaryHB 321 removes the blank space for write-in candidates on Mississippi ballots and requires election officials to print and distribute a supplementary ballot if a candidate dies, resigns, withdraws, or is removed from a race after ballots are printed but before an election. The supplementary ballot will list the new candidate and other candidates in that specific race, formatted identically to regular ballots and distributed through standard voting channels. Absentee voters who cast ballots before the supplementary ballot was printed will be notified and offered the option to return to their circuit clerk's office to vote the supplementary ballot or have it mailed to them (if eligible for absentee mail voting). This change directly affects voters and election officials in races where candidate changes occur post-printing.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 366 requires Mississippi's State Department of Education to create a STEM pilot program in school districts across the Delta region and in Jasper, Clarke, and Jones Counties for students in grades 4-8 who score highest on statewide math assessments. The program includes activities like career guest speakers, field trips to local STEM employers and colleges, and information on scholarships to inspire students toward STEM fields. Participating schools may pay teachers an annual salary supplement to lead the program, and districts must submit annual reports on program activities to the State Department of Education.
Maddy summaryHB 458 increases the percentage of weight given to low-income students in Mississippi's school funding formula. Currently, low-income students contribute 50% to a school's "preliminary weighted enrollment" for funding calculations; this bill raises that percentage. The change directly affects all Mississippi public schools and charter schools, increasing state funding for those with higher concentrations of low-income students. The bill modifies Section 37-151-205 of Mississippi's code to adjust how student poverty levels influence base funding, without altering other weight categories like English learners or special education.
Maddy summaryHB 517 authorizes hardship driver's licenses for Mississippi residents whose licenses were suspended due to unpaid child support or other court-ordered support payments. To qualify, applicants must petition a court within 30 days, provide documented proof of hardship (including a recommendation from the Mississippi Department of Human Services), and pay a $25 fee. The license, valid for four years, permits driving only to work or religious services and must look distinct from a standard license. It explicitly prohibits use for commercial vehicles and amends existing laws to establish these specific terms and fees.
Maddy summaryHB 166, which died in committee on February 4, 2025, proposed requiring Mississippi public school districts to hold at least one mandatory parent meeting 30 days before each school year begins. The bill mandated that meetings cover academic goals, safety policies, and key district information, with districts documenting attendance via signatures or electronic verification. Parents who missed both the initial and a make-up meeting would face a $100 fine (with exemptions for hardship), and collected fines would fund parental engagement programs. The bill did not become law, as it was referred to the Education Committee but never advanced further.
Maddy summaryHB 518 would have changed Mississippi law to treat simple possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana as a civil offense instead of a criminal one. This would have affected individuals caught with small amounts of marijuana, replacing potential jail time with a monetary fine. The bill specifically proposed a civil penalty of up to $3,000 for possession of 30 grams or less, removing the possibility of imprisonment for this offense. The bill was referred to committee but died there in February 2025 and did not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 34, the "Ban-the-Box Act," prohibits Mississippi's public employers (including state agencies, universities, hospitals, and government institutions) from asking about an applicant's criminal history before an interview. It requires public employers to delay background checks until after an interview and consider factors like the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and relevance to the job before making hiring decisions. The bill also bans disqualification based on unconvicted arrests and mandates that applicants be informed of adverse decisions based on background checks, with an opportunity to correct errors. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.
Maddy summaryHB 310 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 dropouts statewide, requiring districts to create approved HOPE Plans with community partners like colleges and nonprofits. The program funds flexible options - such as evening classes, online courses, community college dual enrollment, or summer programs - to re-enroll dropouts, while requiring them to meet their original school district's graduation standards. School districts may operate programs directly or partner with nonprofits, and students in the program may count toward average daily attendance for existing school funding.
Maddy summaryHB 1236 requires all Mississippi K-12 public schools to fully implement a physical education curriculum aligned with the state’s adopted framework. It mandates 150 minutes per week of physical activity for grades K-8 and a half-credit physical education requirement (including CPR/AED training) for grades 9-12. Schools failing to comply risk having their state physical education funding reduced proportionally to per-pupil spending. The bill aims to address low student physical activity rates and health disparities by standardizing PE requirements across all public schools.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) to annually study public infrastructure conditions (like roads, water systems, and bridges) in the state's 20 counties with the highest poverty rates. The MDA must then report its findings to the legislature by December 31 each year and provide guidance to those counties on accessing federal and state funding for infrastructure improvements. It directly affects the 20 designated counties by mandating a structured review of their infrastructure needs and support for securing resources. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.