Rep. Billy Adam Calvert

Maddy summaryHB 914 requires Mississippi's State Department of Education to assign a qualified licensed dyslexia therapy teacher supervisor to every county. These supervisors must develop evidence-based reading interventions for students diagnosed with dyslexia, using strategies like the 3-Tier Instructional Model and accommodations under IDEA/504 Plans. The bill also mandates a program using "dyslexia data coaches" (experts in phonemic awareness and data analysis) to support teachers in improving literacy, with staff required to live in their assigned counties and be state employees. Implementation depends on legislative funding and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 838 allows Mississippi adoptees aged 21 or older to request a copy of their original birth certificate from the state's Bureau of Vital Records. Birth parents can file a contact preference form with the Bureau indicating whether they want to be contacted directly, through an intermediary, or not at all. The Bureau must provide this contact preference form to the adoptee when issuing the birth certificate copy. This policy change directly affects adoptees seeking their birth records, birth parents who specify contact preferences, and the Bureau of Vital Records, which must update its record-keeping procedures to include these forms.

Maddy summaryHB 978 adds cytomegalovirus (CMV) to the list of conditions screened for in Mississippi's comprehensive newborn screening program. The bill directly affects all newborns in Mississippi by expanding routine screening to detect CMV, which can cause hearing loss and developmental delays if untreated. It amends existing law to require the State Department of Health to include CMV in the screening panel, following the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP) guidelines. This change ensures CMV is tested for alongside conditions like hypothyroidism and PKU, with the State Board of Health responsible for implementing the update within three years of RUSP inclusion.

Maddy summaryHB 977 authorizes Mississippi local law enforcement agencies to partner with independent nonpublic schools (defined as MAIS-member, state-accredited schools not under State Board of Education authority) through written agreements to assign school resource officers (SROs). It requires at least one SRO per campus and mandates that non-sworn security staff employed as SROs complete basic law enforcement training within two years. Failure to meet this training requirement results in loss of peace officer powers on school property. The bill directly affects eligible independent nonpublic schools and their agreements with local law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 3) that formally commends the West Lauderdale High School Knights Baseball Team for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship in 2025. It specifically recognizes their victory in the championship series (including game details and player/coach acknowledgments) and extends congratulations to the team, coaches, and supporters. The resolution has no policy impact or funding provisions - it serves solely as a symbolic gesture of recognition. It was adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1193 prohibits Mississippi public K-12 schools and public postsecondary institutions from maintaining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, requiring diversity statements from staff or students, or teaching "divisive concepts" related to race, sex, color, or national origin. The law bans programs favoring individuals based on protected characteristics and mandates annual reports to school boards and the legislature on incidents related to prohibited practices. It directly affects all public schools, colleges, and universities under Mississippi’s State Board of Education, Community College Board, and higher education governing bodies. Signed into law by the governor in April 2025, the bill requires institutions to base decisions solely on merit and qualifications.

Maddy summaryHB 1989 extends the expiration date of the Lauderdale County Tourism Commission from October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2029, ensuring the commission continues operating for an additional four years. It removes a salary cap for the commission's executive director, requiring the commission to recommend the director's salary and the Board of Supervisors to approve it. These changes directly affect how the commission manages its leadership compensation and prolongs its operational structure. The bill focuses on administrative adjustments to support ongoing tourism promotion efforts in Lauderdale County.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution designates April 6-12, 2025, as "Junior Auxiliary Week" in Mississippi and specifically commends the Junior Auxiliary of Meridian for its service to children and families in Meridian and Lauderdale County. It recognizes the organization's 83-year history of volunteer work, including programs like Teacher Mini-Grants, Helping Hands (providing school uniforms), and mentoring for foster youth. The resolution has no binding policy effect - it is purely ceremonial recognition of the group's community contributions.

Maddy summaryHB 1, the "Build Up Mississippi Act," reduces Mississippi's income tax rate for taxable income over $10,000 to 3.75% in 2027, 3.5% in 2028, 3.25% in 2029, and 3% in 2030 and beyond, with potential further reductions after 2031 under specific fiscal conditions. It also imposes a 5% sales tax on grocery purchases starting July 1, 2025, and increases gasoline excise taxes to 27 cents per gallon by 2027. Additionally, the bill creates a new retirement system tier for state employees joining on or after March 1, 2026, combining a defined benefit component with a defined contribution plan requiring 9% employee contributions.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 82) passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to honor the late Representative Charles Lemuel Young, Jr. It formally mourns his passing on December 18, 2024, and celebrates his 12-year service representing House District 82 in Lauderdale County. The resolution highlights his career as a legislator, community leader, businessman, and family man, noting his work on committees like Appropriations and Public Health, his business ventures, and his dedication to local organizations. As a purely ceremonial resolution with no policy provisions, it serves only to express the House's sympathy to his family and recognize his public service legacy.