Rep. Steve Horne

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commending Jamal Roberts, a Meridian, Mississippi native, for winning the 23rd season of *American Idol*. It formally congratulates him as the second Mississippian and second African-American male to win the competition, highlighting his musical achievements and roots. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' praise and will be sent to Roberts and the press. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 884 requires counties and municipalities in Mississippi to hold a public election before issuing new bonds for projects like infrastructure or facilities. It mandates that local governments publish bond resolution notices weekly for three weeks in local newspapers (or post at public locations if no newspaper exists) and schedule the election at least 21 days after the first notice. This applies to all bond issuances covered under Sections 19-9-11 (counties) and 21-33-307 (municipalities), directly affecting county boards of supervisors and municipal governing bodies. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, adding an election step to the existing bond approval process without changing bond limits.

Maddy summaryHB 885 requires Mississippi's newborn screening program to include testing for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus that can cause hearing loss and developmental delays in infants. This change affects all newborns in Mississippi by adding CMV to the list of conditions screened for at birth, alongside existing conditions like PKU and congenital hypothyroidism. The State Department of Health must implement this screening by July 1, 2026, to enable early detection and treatment. The bill expands routine newborn care to address a preventable cause of infant health complications.

Maddy summaryHB 887 exempts certain water well contractors in Mississippi from continuing education requirements when renewing their licenses. Specifically, it requires the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality to exempt contractors who are 65 or older or have at least 20 years of experience in the state. The bill directly affects licensed water well contractors meeting these age or experience criteria during license renewal. This change simplifies license maintenance for qualified older or highly experienced contractors without altering other licensing standards.

Maddy summaryHB 886 allows year-round retail sale of fireworks in Mississippi, replacing previous seasonal restrictions. It requires fireworks sold at retail or wholesale to be stored and displayed within a permanent building (not temporary stands), with safety signs, fire extinguishers, and unopened packaging unless staff are present. The bill maintains existing rules: fireworks must be "Class C common fireworks" (like small fountains or sparklers), cannot be sold to anyone under 12, and cannot be ignited within 600 feet of schools, hospitals, or churches. It affects fireworks retailers, distributors, and consumers by changing storage requirements and enabling year-round sales while preserving safety zones and age limits.

Maddy summaryHB 1106 requires municipalities in Mississippi to hold a public election in any territory proposed for annexation or deannexation before boundary changes take effect. It directly affects residents living in the specific area targeted for inclusion or exclusion from a municipality, giving them the right to vote on the change. Key provisions include mandating a county election within 60 days of an annexation ordinance, requiring 21 days' notice via local newspaper, and shifting costs: if a municipality appeals election results to county court, it must pay all attorney fees and court costs. The bill also repeals an existing requirement for annexation petitions to be filed in chancery court.

Maddy summaryHB 1105 would have required Mississippi municipalities to provide specific services promised during annexation before collecting property taxes in newly annexed areas. The bill mandated that annexation ordinances list all proposed services (e.g., water, roads), and tax collection could not begin until those services were delivered. This applied directly to property owners in newly annexed territories, delaying their tax liability until municipal services were operational. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 648 would amend Mississippi law to provide full exemption from ad valorem property taxes for homeowners aged 65 or older or who are totally disabled. Currently, these homeowners receive a partial exemption based on a table of assessed values (capping at $7,500), but this bill would eliminate that cap starting January 1, 2026, exempting the entire assessed value of their homestead property. The change applies directly to eligible seniors and disabled homeowners who own their primary residence, removing the current $7,500 limit on the tax exemption. It does not affect current exemption levels or other provisions like surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryHB 643 would require Mississippi's newborn screening program to test for cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that can cause hearing loss or developmental delays in infants. It directly affects all newborns in Mississippi by adding CMV to the list of conditions screened for alongside existing tests like PKU and hypothyroidism. The bill amends state law to include CMV within three years of its addition to the national Recommended Uniform Screening Panel, with the State Department of Health required to report delays to lawmakers. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not advance further.