Rep. Jeffery Harness

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change Mississippi's tax rules for nuclear-powered electrical plants. It would allow counties to directly levy county and special taxes on these plants using a special valuation method (30% of true value, currently Class IV property), rather than requiring legislative permission. The amendment ensures counties cannot be denied this tax authority and specifies how revenue from these taxes would be distributed. This directly affects counties and nuclear power plant owners/operators in Mississippi. (Note: The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not advance to a vote.)

Maddy summaryHB 855, the "Supplemental Salary Pay for Law Enforcement Act of 2025," would provide certified Mississippi law enforcement officers with an additional $600 annually after one year of full-time service. This state-funded supplement applies to full-time officers employed by state or local agencies (excluding part-time staff, clerical roles, and certain elected officials), paid through a new "Supplemental Salary Pay for Law Enforcement Fund." Officers denied the payment could appeal to a state board within 30 days. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and has not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1224 would have changed the property classification of Alcorn State University's president's residence from commercial to residential. This would have allowed licensed residential builders (not restricted by typical height or size limits for residential projects) to perform construction or capital improvements on the property. The bill amended Mississippi Code Sections 73-59-1 and 73-59-19 to enable this change. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change Mississippi's tax rules for the Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant. It would restore Claiborne County's direct authority to tax the plant and require at least 70% of the tax revenue generated to stay in the county for local services like infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Currently, a 1986 provision redistributes these taxes, which the bill argues harms Claiborne County despite it hosting the facility. The amendment must be approved by voters in November 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 654 would have reduced penalties for marijuana possession in Mississippi by lowering maximum jail terms and fines across all weight categories. For example, possessing 30 grams or less would have carried a maximum penalty of 18 months in jail or $1,500, down from harsher prior penalties. The bill directly affected individuals convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana, without changing penalties for other drugs or medical cannabis. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1004 revises how payments from nuclear power plants - made instead of property taxes - are distributed to local governments. It gradually reduces the percentage of these payments going to the county where the plant is located (from 50% in 1987 down to 30% through 2025, then a fixed $15 million annually after 2026). The bill requires counties to send 10% of these funds to the largest city in the county (or split equally if the plant is within a city), limits county spending on general purposes to $5.5 million yearly, and directs excess funds to public school districts for approved facility improvements. This bill affects counties, cities, and school districts near nuclear plants, though it was referred to committee in 2025 and did not advance.

Maddy summaryHB 656 would change Mississippi's habitual offender laws by excluding nonviolent offenses, particularly drug-related convictions, from triggering mandatory prison sentences for repeat offenders. It specifically repeals Section 41-29-147, which previously imposed strict penalties for second or subsequent drug offenses. The bill would prevent individuals with prior nonviolent drug convictions from being classified as habitual offenders under Sections 99-19-81 and 99-19-83, which currently mandate maximum sentences or life imprisonment for repeat violent crime offenders. This policy change would directly affect people convicted of nonviolent drug offenses who have prior convictions, removing mandatory minimums that currently apply to such cases. The bill does not alter sentencing for violent crimes or other non-drug offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1003 amends Mississippi law to redirect a portion of annual payments made by nuclear power plants in lieu of local property taxes to Claiborne County for economic development. Specifically, it requires $3.04 million annually (starting 1991) to be paid to Claiborne County from these nuclear plant payments, which must be used for economic development purposes and cannot count toward the county's ad valorem tax growth limits. The bill also allocates $160,000 annually to Port Gibson city for similar uses. These payments are part of existing in-lieu tax arrangements for nuclear facilities, not new taxes, and the bill focuses on the distribution mechanism rather than creating new obligations. The bill died in committee in 2025 and was not enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 657 would automatically restore voting rights to Mississippi residents convicted of vote fraud or specific crimes listed in Section 241 of the state’s 1890 Constitution (such as murder, robbery, or other offenses historically used to disenfranchise voters) once they complete all sentencing requirements like prison time or fines. Currently, these individuals must apply for voting rights restoration, but this bill would eliminate that step by automatically reinstating eligibility. It directly affects people who have served their sentences but remain barred from voting under current law. The bill died in committee in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 756 requires every Mississippi school district to establish a vocational education program or partner with neighboring districts to jointly operate one. It mandates agreements between districts to cover financing, facility operation, staffing, and student admission for shared programs. The bill directly affects all public school districts by requiring structured vocational training options for students, replacing the previous optional system. However, the bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.