Rep. Jeffery Harness

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HC 62) formally commends Wiley Franklin Jones for his career and community service. It recognizes his decades of leadership at Alcorn State University, civic involvement, philanthropy (including establishing a scholarship fund), and numerous awards. The resolution serves as symbolic legislative praise with no binding policy changes or direct impact on laws or constituents. It was adopted by the Mississippi Legislature in March 2025 as a ceremonial tribute.

Maddy summaryHB 1708 authorizes Kemper County's Board of Supervisors to optionally contribute up to $5,000 annually from the county's general fund to Philadelphia Transit, a nonprofit providing public, elderly, and disabled transportation services in Kemper County and surrounding areas. The authorization expires on July 1, 2029, and does not require the county to make such contributions. This bill directly affects Kemper County's budget decisions and Philadelphia Transit's funding sources. It creates no new obligations but permits the county to support existing transit services through discretionary annual funding.

Maddy summaryHB 642 authorizes Alcorn State University to build prefabricated (factory-built) structures on its campus, directly affecting the university and its campus development. The bill requires all such buildings to meet Mississippi’s building codes, safety standards, and campus aesthetic guidelines, and mandates approval from the Board of Trustees and the Department of Finance and Administration before construction. Funding can come from state appropriations, federal grants, or private donations, with the university required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing construction costs and benefits. This bill does not change existing laws broadly but adds specific oversight and reporting requirements for Alcorn’s prefab building projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHR 56 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the Mississippi House of Representatives to commemorate the 155th anniversary of Hiram Rhodes Revels becoming the first African American elected to the U.S. Senate in 1870. It honors his legacy as a pioneering legislator, pastor, and educator who served Mississippi and the nation, including his historic 1870 Senate term and role as the first president of Alcorn University. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions through a state legislative declaration, with copies sent to his descendants and the press. It has no policy impact or funding provisions - it is purely a commemorative gesture recognizing historical significance.

Maddy summaryHB 1647 authorizes Mississippi to issue state bonds to fund repairs, upgrades, and improvements to Claiborne County’s wastewater lagoon serving the Hermanville area. The bill directs bond proceeds specifically to cover county costs for this infrastructure project, with the state pledging full credit for repayment. Claiborne County and residents in Hermanville directly benefit from the improved wastewater system. The state would manage bond issuance and repayment through the State Bond Commission, with no new taxes required for the project.

Maddy summaryHB 1783 would have provided $1,000,000 from the State General Fund to Alcorn State University for its horticulture research and extension programs during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill was a straightforward funding appropriation with no substantive policy changes, directly affecting Alcorn State's agricultural research initiatives. It died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1677 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund the construction, equipment, and operation of a Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, and Math (STEAM) outreach center at Alcorn State University. The bill specifies that bond proceeds would cover all project costs, including construction and equipment, and are backed by the full credit of the Mississippi state government. This funding mechanism would directly support Alcorn State University's facility development. The bill was referred to the Ways and Means committee but died there on February 26, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1796 would have provided $5 million in state funding from the General Fund to Alcorn State University for repairs and renovations to two student residence halls (Revels Hall and Robinson Hall) during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The bill directly affected Alcorn State University students living in those residence halls by funding necessary infrastructure improvements. If enacted, the funds would have been paid by the State Treasurer upon official requisitions. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and was not enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 1794 would have provided $65 million from the state general fund to Alcorn State University for new regional health care and medical sciences facilities in the Southwest Mississippi River Region, covering fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill directly affected Alcorn State University by funding facility growth, with no other entities or individuals named as direct beneficiaries. Key provisions included appropriating funds for "strengthening and enhancing" these facilities, to be paid by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.