Rep. Billy Adam Calvert

Maddy summaryHB 1256 requires Mississippi's State Department of Education to assign a qualified licensed dyslexia therapy teacher supervisor to every county by July 2025. These supervisors must develop interventions for students diagnosed with dyslexia, implement evidence-based strategies (including the 3-Tier Instructional Model), and provide training using standards from the International Dyslexia Association. The bill also mandates a program using "dyslexia data coaches" in willing school districts to improve reading instruction, with coaches focusing on phonemic awareness, phonics, and data analysis. This directly affects students with dyslexia in Mississippi public schools, particularly those in counties identified as having the highest need based on reading assessment data.

Maddy summaryHB 255, the Second Amendment Preservation Act, prohibits Mississippi cities and counties from creating their own laws about firearms, ammunition, or related items. It invalidates all existing or future local firearm regulations unless they exactly match specific state laws on concealed carry, open carry, and firearm discharge rules. The bill also prevents local governments from suing firearm manufacturers or dealers over lawful sales, though it does not block lawsuits for negligence or defects. This law ensures state-level regulation replaces local ordinances for all firearm-related matters in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 921, the MS ROSS Act, would have created a state-funded program to help Mississippi public and accredited private elementary and secondary schools hire School Resource Officers (SROs). The Mississippi Department of Public Safety would have covered increasing percentages of SRO costs (starting at 30% in 2025-2026 and rising to 70% by 2029-2030), with local law enforcement and school boards responsible for the remaining portion, up to a $55,000 annual cap per SRO. Schools and local agencies would have needed to jointly apply for funding and establish agreements to participate. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, was never enacted into law.

Maddy summaryMississippi HB 180 clarifies and strengthens restrictions on alternative nicotine products (like e-cigarettes and vaping devices) at schools. It prohibits their use on all school property (including classrooms, grounds, and events) and increases penalties for selling them to anyone under 21, with fines starting at $500 for a first offense and rising to $3,000 for repeat violations. The bill also requires vendors to verify a buyer’s age using government ID or a third-party verification service before selling these products. These changes directly affect students (prohibited from using), school staff (responsible for enforcement), and vendors (required to check ages). The law updates existing penalties under Mississippi Code Sections 97-32-29 and 97-32-51.

Maddy summaryHB 179 requires judges to mandate a minimum 30-day in-patient treatment period for individuals convicted of second or subsequent public intoxication offenses. It also establishes a 30-day minimum stay for emergency involuntary commitments of people with substance use disorders under Mississippi's involuntary commitment laws. The bill specifies that treatment periods cannot be shorter than 30 days (up to 90 days for public intoxication cases) and states financially able individuals must cover treatment costs. This policy change directly affects individuals facing repeat public intoxication charges and those committed under emergency substance abuse provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1448 would increase the daily fee paid to circuit clerks for attending court sessions from $50 to $85 per day. This change applies specifically to "each day's attendance upon the circuit court term" for clerks and necessary deputies, with counties covering the cost. The bill directly affects county governments (as payers of the fee) and circuit clerks (as recipients). The fee adjustment, if enacted, would take effect July 1, 2025. (Note: The bill died in committee and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryHB 1395 would require Mississippi's Bureau of Vital Records to provide adoptees aged 21 or older with an uncertified copy of their original birth certificate upon request. It also mandates that the bureau issue any contact preference form submitted by a birth parent (indicating whether they wish to be contacted, prefer an intermediary, or do not want contact) when releasing the birth certificate. The bill directly affects adoptees seeking their birth records and birth parents who can specify contact preferences. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 182 prohibits circuit court judges from allowing political candidates to address the public during court sessions. It specifically targets candidates for judicial offices (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, chancery, or circuit judges) and amends Mississippi Code Section 23-15-973 to ban this practice. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not address campaign activities outside of court terms. This is a policy change limiting judicial candidates' public engagement during court proceedings.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott's efforts to address border security. The text frames the situation as an invasion and calls for the transport of undocumented individuals back across the border to Mexico. It does not create any new laws or alter federal policy but serves as a symbolic statement of solidarity with Texas. The bill was referred to a committee and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the repeal date for Lauderdale County's existing tourism commission and hotel tax until October 1, 2028. It authorizes the county board of supervisors to levy a 2.5% tax on hotel and motel room rentals to fund tourism promotion, while also allowing for an additional $5 fee per room to build a central sportsplex, provided voters approve the fee at an election with at least 60% support. The legislation establishes a seven-member tourism commission appointed by local government leaders and requires that funds collected from these taxes be kept in separate accounts dedicated solely to their intended purposes.