Rep. Jeffery Harness

Maddy summaryHB 1840 provides $1,000,000 in state funding from the General Fund to Claiborne County for road repairs, reconstruction, and upgrades during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affects Claiborne County residents by supporting local infrastructure maintenance through state financial assistance. It is a procedural appropriation bill with no new policy provisions, solely allocating existing state funds. The bill was referred to the Appropriations Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1642 authorized Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to provide funds for the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance to cover costs of infrastructure projects (including development, repairs, upgrades, and improvements) in Franklin, Walthall, Pike, Amite, and Wilkinson counties. The bill established procedures for bond issuance, repayment using state funds, and specified that proceeds must be used solely for these designated projects. The bill died in the Ways and Means Committee on February 26, 2025, and was never enacted. This procedural bill directly affected the Scenic Rivers Development Alliance and Mississippi taxpayers, but did not create new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1843 appropriates $8 million from the Mississippi State General Fund to the City of Port Gibson for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades. The funds are specifically designated to cover the costs of replacing water and sewer lines, and other improvements to the city's water and sewer systems during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). This direct state funding supports Port Gibson's efforts to modernize its aging utility infrastructure. The bill's mechanism is a straightforward appropriation, with funds to be paid by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.)

Maddy summaryHB 1920 appropriates $100 million (split equally as $50 million each) to Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College for campus facility repairs and improvements through June 2026. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic buildings, upgrading electrical/plumbing systems, modernizing academic spaces, improving student housing, enhancing safety systems, and implementing energy efficiency initiatives. Each college must submit a detailed plan with timelines and provide annual progress reports to the Legislature. The bill, referred to Appropriations committees in February 2025, died in committee and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1921 appropriates $300 million ($100 million to each) to Mississippi's three HBCUs - Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State - for repairing and upgrading campus buildings and infrastructure. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic structures, modernizing electrical/plumbing systems, improving student housing, creating new academic spaces, enhancing safety systems, and supporting energy efficiency. Each university must submit a detailed plan for approval and provide annual progress reports to the legislature on how the money is spent.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 11) is a ceremonial measure commending the City of Vicksburg, Mississippi, for its 200th anniversary of incorporation (January 29, 2025). It acknowledges Vicksburg's historical significance, including its role in the Civil War, river commerce, and community resilience, without creating new laws or affecting any policies. The resolution formally recognizes the city's legacy and extends congratulations to Vicksburg's leadership and residents. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on constituents or legislation beyond the symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryHB 655 would have raised maximum payments to court-appointed attorneys representing low-income defendants in Mississippi. It proposed increasing compensation limits for regular circuit court cases (currently capped at $3,000), capital cases (currently $6,000), and minor cases (currently $200). County treasurers would have paid these higher fees from local general funds. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 653 removes a restriction preventing commercial drivers from having first-time DUI offenses (with a blood alcohol concentration of .04% or higher) handled without a conviction. This change allows courts to use nonadjudication - similar to what's already available for non-commercial drivers - meaning a commercial driver could avoid a formal conviction for a first offense if eligible. The bill specifically affects commercial drivers convicted of DUI at the .04% threshold, not changing the BAC limit itself. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1005 would have increased minimum compensation for lawyers appointed to represent indigent defendants in Mississippi. It raised the base rate for circuit court cases from $3,000 to $4,000 and adjusted related fees for capital cases and appeals, while also referencing public defender pay scales. The bill directly affected appointed defense attorneys and indigent defendants in criminal cases across Mississippi counties. However, it died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 105 would change Mississippi law to allow businesses with package retailer alcohol permits to sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays. Currently, these retailers are prohibited from selling on Sundays under Section 67-1-83(3). The bill specifically removes the Sunday sales ban while maintaining existing restrictions on sales before 10 a.m., after 10 p.m., and on Christmas Day. This change would affect licensed package retailers, enabling them to operate on Sundays without additional permits. The bill was scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025, if passed.