Rep. Jeffery Harness

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Mississippi law to allow courts to dismiss certain commercial driver's license cases without a formal conviction, provided the driver meets specific eligibility criteria. The change removes a previous restriction that prevented nonadjudication for commercial drivers who have not been formally convicted of driving under the influence. The bill does not alter existing penalties for DUI offenses or the rules governing license suspensions and interlock device requirements. It applies to commercial drivers who qualify for nonadjudication under current court procedures for first-time DUI offenses. The legislation focuses on procedural flexibility rather than changing substantive DUI laws or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 1282 proposes to provide certified Mississippi law enforcement officers with an additional $600 annual payment after completing one year of full-time service. It directly affects full-time certified officers employed by state or local agencies, excluding clerical staff, part-time workers, or those in specific non-enforcement roles. The bill establishes a state-funded "Supplemental Salary Pay for Law Enforcement Fund" to cover these payments and creates an appeals process for denied payments. Officers would receive this payment in addition to their regular salary, with eligibility verified through the Mississippi Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. The bill was introduced in 2026 but died in committee without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1343 designates June 19 (Juneteenth) as a legal holiday in Mississippi, requiring state government offices to close on that date. This bill amends Mississippi Code Section 3-3-7 to add Juneteenth to the state's official list of legal holidays, which currently includes days like Independence Day and Christmas. The change would directly affect state employees and public institutions that observe legal holidays, aligning Mississippi with other states recognizing Juneteenth. It does not alter private business operations but establishes a fixed date holiday for state entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1348 would remove the current ban on Sunday alcohol sales for businesses holding package retailer permits (stores selling sealed alcohol containers, not restaurants or bars). This specifically affects licensed liquor stores under Mississippi's local option law, allowing them to sell alcohol on Sundays without changing other hours restrictions (10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily). The bill does not alter existing rules about sales to intoxicated individuals or other permit requirements. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was not enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1347 automatically restores voting rights for Mississippi residents convicted of vote fraud or specific crimes listed in Section 241 of the state constitution (including most felonies) once they complete all sentencing requirements like fines, probation, or parole. It amends election laws to remove these voters from the system automatically upon sentence completion, eliminating the need for separate applications or court orders. This directly affects individuals with prior felony convictions who have fulfilled all court-imposed obligations. The bill focuses on streamlining the restoration process through existing election management systems.

Maddy summaryHB 1378 creates a task force to study historical funding disparities affecting Alcorn State University compared to other Mississippi public universities, particularly Mississippi State University. The task force, composed of university leaders, state officials, and appointed residents, would examine past underfunding impacts on students and faculty and recommend solutions to restore equitable state funding. It was required to submit a final report to state leaders by December 31, 2026. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1400, the "Mississippi High School Student-Athlete NIL Protection Act," would allow high school athletes under 18 in Mississippi to earn money for using their name, image, or likeness (NIL), but only with parental consent. It requires all NIL contracts to be in writing and signed by both the student and a parent or guardian, and limits direct payments to $10,000 annually; amounts exceeding this would go into a restricted trust account until the student graduates or turns 18. The bill prohibits schools, coaches, or staff from arranging or profiting from NIL deals and ensures NIL activities don’t affect athletic eligibility. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how taxes from Mississippi's Grand Gulf Nuclear Power Plant are handled. It would repeal a 1986 rule that currently redirects most tax revenue from the plant away from Claiborne County (where the plant is located) and instead restore the county's authority to directly tax the facility. Under the amendment, Claiborne County would retain at least 70% of the tax revenue for local services like infrastructure and schools, while only 15% would go to the state general fund and the rest distributed to other counties based on need. The amendment requires voter approval in November 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1997 modifies Vicksburg's tourism tax law by removing nonprofit veteran organizations (such as VFW posts and American Legions) from the definition of "restaurant" for tax purposes. This exemption means these groups will no longer pay the 2% tax on food sales under the city's tourism tax. The bill also extends the tax's expiration date from its original deadline to July 1, 2029. The change directly affects local veteran nonprofits operating food services, while leaving the tax structure for other restaurants and hotels unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 132) from the Mississippi House of Representatives. It formally commends Nicholas Anderson, a Vicksburg, Mississippi native, for being named the 2024 Most Outstanding Rookie in the Canadian Football League (CFL). The resolution recognizes his athletic achievements, academic record, and community work through his "F.A.1.T.H." initiative. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the House's praise for his accomplishments.