Rep. Jeffery Harness

Maddy summaryThis bill (HC 37) is a request to replace Mississippi's statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall with a statue of either B.B. King or Elvis Presley. It directly affects Mississippi's representation in the Capitol's collection, seeking to honor two iconic Mississippi-born musicians instead of a figure associated with the Confederacy. The bill cites Mississippi's status as the "Birthplace of America's Music" and highlights B.B. King's blues legacy and Elvis Presley's rock 'n' roll influence as fitting modern cultural symbols. The resolution formally asks the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve this change under existing statutory authority.

Maddy summaryHB 1788 authorizes the Town of Meadville, Mississippi, to impose a 3% tax on short-term room rentals (excluding stays of 30+ days) from hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts with six or more rooms. Before implementation, the town must hold a public election requiring 60% voter approval. Revenue from the tax must be used exclusively for tourism promotion and parks/recreation projects, not general town funds, and will expire on July 1, 2030. This affects lodging businesses operating within Meadville's boundaries that meet the specified room-count criteria.

Maddy summaryThis House Resolution formally honors the legislative career and public service of former Representative Blaine H. "Bo" Eaton II, who served Mississippi's House District 79 for 20 years from 1996 to 2016. The resolution recognizes his leadership roles on key committees including Agriculture and Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and highlights his contributions to economic development initiatives such as the Reforestation Tax Credit and the Mississippi Investment Act. This document serves as an official commendation from the Mississippi House of Representatives and does not create any new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes and congratulates the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Men's Golf Team for winning the NJCAA Division II Men's Golf Championship. The resolution highlights the team's achievements, including multiple national titles and individual awards won by players and the head coach. It also acknowledges the team's academic success and directs copies of the resolution to college officials and the press. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or funding implications.

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 summaryHB 1126 increases base teacher salaries by $5,000 annually starting with the 2026-2027 school year, with an additional $3,000 annual supplement for licensed special education teachers and $6,000 for certified occupational therapists and school psychologists. It also raises assistant teachers' pay by $5,000 and caps superintendent salaries at 250% of equivalent teacher pay, including district supplements. The bill includes related provisions for retirement benefits for first responders and revised roles for student success coaches, but its core focus is direct compensation increases for educators.

Maddy summaryHR 65 is a symbolic resolution commending the Port Gibson Middle School basketball team and head coach Terence Parker for winning an undefeated 2025-2026 state championship. It does not create new laws or allocate funds; instead, it formally recognizes the team's achievement through a House of Representatives resolution. The resolution highlights the team's discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout the season. It directs copies to the coach, school administration, and press corps as a ceremonial gesture of recognition.

Maddy summaryHB 1818 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund repairs, renovations, and improvements to Jefferson County Nursing Home's buildings and facilities in Jefferson County. The bill directly affects Jefferson County Nursing Home by providing state-funded assistance for physical infrastructure upgrades. Key provisions include using the state's full faith and credit to back the bonds, directing bond proceeds to a special fund managed by the State Bond Commission, and requiring legislative approval for bond issuance. Funds would be disbursed solely for the nursing home's building-related repairs, with the state responsible for repayment if legislative appropriations fall short.

Maddy summaryHB 1865 appropriates $200,000 from the State General Fund to Jefferson County's Board of Supervisors for the repair, renovation, and facility upgrades of the Jefferson County Nursing Home during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funds directly support the county’s efforts to maintain and improve this specific nursing home facility. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy requirements or broader eligibility changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1834 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds for capital improvements at Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, and Mississippi Valley State University. The bill directs bond proceeds to fund repairs, renovations, and upgrades to campus buildings, facilities, and infrastructure at these three public universities. The State Bond Commission would manage the bond issuance, with funds deposited into a special account for these specific projects. This is a funding mechanism, not a new program, and directly affects the operational infrastructure of these institutions.