Rep. Shane Barnett

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the City of Waynesboro, Mississippi, to collect additional fees from people convicted in its municipal court to help pay for repairs and maintenance of city buildings. Under the legislation, the city could charge up to $50 for most misdemeanor convictions and up to $150 for driving under the influence convictions, with the money specifically designated for infrastructure projects. The fees would be collected in addition to any existing court costs and could be used for construction, technology upgrades, and even as matching funds for state grants. The provision would remain in effect until July 1, 2030, unless repealed earlier.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that formally commends and congratulates the Wayne Academy Lady Jaguars softball team and head coach Dusty Hillman for winning the 2025 MAIS Class 3A Division II State Championship. The resolution recognizes the team's historic achievement as their first state title, highlighting their comeback from an early-season losing streak to secure a 2-1 series victory over Bowling Green School of Louisiana. This document serves as an official acknowledgment of the team's accomplishments and is intended to be shared with the coach, school administration, and local media. The resolution contains no new laws or policy changes, functioning solely as a ceremonial recognition of athletic success.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Resolution that formally commends Karolina L. Heathcock, a Mississippi State University senior, for her community service work promoting environmental awareness. The resolution recognizes her "Nature Heals" initiative, which has engaged over 600 students through classroom visits and partnerships with community organizations to encourage outdoor education and connection with Mississippi's natural resources. The document highlights her background in wildlife and fisheries management and her efforts to address youth disconnection from nature through hands-on environmental stewardship programs. This is a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than a law that creates new policies or regulations.

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 1469 prohibits Mississippi enforcement officers from the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Commission on Marine Resources from stopping or boarding a vessel without clear evidence (probable cause) of a violation. It specifically bans stops conducted solely for safety or sanitation inspections, making those inspections secondary offenses rather than primary reasons for stops. The bill directly affects boaters by requiring officers to have specific cause for vessel interactions and changes enforcement procedures under Mississippi's boating laws. This amendment to Section 59-21-127 takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1688 revises definitions in Mississippi's Unfair Cigarette Sales Law to gradually increase the presumed "cost of doing business" for cigarette wholesalers and retailers. It phases in higher default markup percentages: wholesalers' cost increases from 2% to 5% of basic cigarette costs over 2026-2028, while retailers' cost rises from 6% to 8%. These changes directly affect licensed cigarette wholesalers and retailers in Mississippi by altering how their minimum legal markup is calculated when selling to consumers. The bill modifies existing definitions without creating new requirements, focusing solely on adjusting these default cost percentages through specific date-based increments.

Maddy summaryHB 1471 would have authorized employees of the Mississippi Secretary of State who perform investigative or regulatory functions to carry firearms while on duty. This would have applied specifically to non-sworn staff, requiring them to obtain a permit under existing state firearm carry rules. Key requirements included completing an approved weapons training course, passing background checks (including fingerprinting and FBI checks), and paying standard permit fees. The bill amended Mississippi Code Section 97-37-7 to explicitly include these Secretary of State staff in the list of authorized firearm carriers, aligning them with other permitted groups like wildlife officers and fraud investigators. The bill died in committee and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1470 exempts veterans from paying entry and use fees at public parks and recreational facilities operated by Mississippi's Pat Harrison Waterway District. This applies to any veteran presenting valid military identification, such as a DD-214 or discharge documents, at the time of entry. The bill amends existing law to explicitly grant this fee exemption for facilities established under the district's authority. It does not change other fees, eligibility criteria, or the district's broader water management powers.

Maddy summaryHB 1100, the "Mississippi Teachers' Bill of Rights," would require teachers to create annual classroom management plans and grant teachers immediate authority to remove students for disruptive, threatening, or dangerous conduct (like persistent refusal to follow directions or verbal outbursts) without prior administrative approval. It mandates schools to notify parents about removal authority, establish clear timelines for plan approvals, and ensure removed students are placed under supervised administrative control - not suspended - while requiring written documentation and behavioral support plans for repeated removals. The bill directly affects Mississippi teachers, students, and school administrators by clarifying classroom management procedures, prohibiting principal interference with teacher removal decisions, and protecting teachers from retaliation for using these rights. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.