Rep. Donnie Scoggin

Maddy summaryHB 1770 funds the Mississippi Library Commission for fiscal year 2026 with $10,946,838 from the State General Fund and $4,863,028 from special funds. It authorizes 48 permanent and 1 temporary position, requires strict budget adherence (no salary increases without new funds), and mandates $493,847 from the Education Enhancement Fund specifically for the Magnolia Database program. The bill ensures funds are used for library operations, staff support, and performance targets like resolving 1,150 help desk tickets and hosting 40 continuing education workshops. It directly affects public libraries statewide through the Library Commission's operations and the Magnolia Database initiative.

Maddy summaryHB 1769 appropriates $4,547,938 from the State General Fund and $6,353,694 from a special fund (including $2.1 million from the Education Enhancement Fund) to cover the Mississippi Authority for Educational Television's (MAET) expenses for fiscal year 2026. The funding directly supports MAET's operations, including salaries for 78 permanent and 7 temporary staff positions, with strict requirements to maintain current educational broadcast schedules as a priority. Key provisions prohibit using state funds to replace federal funds, restrict personnel spending to new hires (not promotions or salary increases), and mandate detailed accounting comparable to previous years. This is a funding bill, not a policy change, ensuring MAET can continue providing educational TV programming and public service content.

Maddy summaryHB 1771 appropriates $1.43 billion from state funds to cover the Mississippi Department of Transportation's (MDT) administrative expenses and core operations for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). The funds are allocated to specific MDT programs, including $986 million for construction, $265 million for maintenance, and $63 million for administration, with additional transfers of $650,000 to the Department of Agriculture for beaver control and $5 million to the Department of Public Safety for commercial transportation enforcement. The bill restricts personnel spending to filling vacancies (not salary increases or promotions) and requires MDT to track expenses against projected costs, with strict reporting to the legislature. It also mandates detailed accounting records matching fiscal year 2025 standards for all fund usage.

Maddy summaryHB 1768 appropriates over $5.2 billion in state funds for Mississippi's K-12 education system and related programs for fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). It allocates $2.95 billion from the State General Fund and $2.28 billion from special funds to cover operations of the State Department of Education, vocational and technical education, and the Mississippi Student Funding Formula. Key provisions include $16 million for school district capital facilities and buses, $25 million for instructional materials, and specific funding for literacy initiatives, special needs programs, and the Mississippi Eye Screening Program. The bill directly affects all public K-12 schools, students, and the State Department of Education, including payments to Chickasaw Cession counties for lost land compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 1767 appropriates $1,562,907 from the State General Fund and $2,690,000 from a special fund (including $1.49 million from the Education Enhancement Fund) to cover the Mississippi Arts Commission’s expenses for fiscal year 2026. The funds support the Commission’s operations, staff positions (10 permanent, 2 time-limited), and specific programs like educator training, public school arts grants, and the "Whole Schools Initiative." Strict rules govern spending, including limits on salary increases, requirements to maintain detailed records, and prohibitions on using state funds to replace federal or special funds. The bill ensures all spending complies with state appropriation laws and specifies that $1.49 million must be used for designated education and program activities.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 100), not a substantive bill. It formally commends Izzy Karns for being crowned Miss Teen Volunteer America, recognizing her volunteer work with organizations like The Salvation Army, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and her nonprofit "Choose Rescue" (which raised over $21,000 for animal shelters). The resolution has no policy impact or new requirements; it simply expresses the Mississippi House's support through a symbolic gesture.

Maddy summaryHB 565 requires Mississippi law enforcement agencies to report officer resignations and terminations to the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training. Agencies must provide timely notification within a specified timeframe and include an explanation if the resignation or termination resulted from disciplinary action. Failure to report carries penalties, though agencies may appeal the board's decision. This bill directly affects all law enforcement agencies in Mississippi, aiming to improve transparency in officer employment history.

Maddy summaryHB 3 revises Mississippi's College Accreditation Commission to require four specific representatives: one for public community colleges, one for universities, one for private colleges, and one for for-profit schools. This ensures all major postsecondary education sectors have direct representation on the commission. The commission will maintain an approved list of institutions and require annual accreditation for schools to grant degrees or offer coursework. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all accredited institutions in Mississippi except those already approved before 1988 or regulated under separate laws.

Maddy summaryHB 99 is a technical correction bill that removes a redundant repealer clause from Mississippi law. It clarifies that the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning retains authority to oversee construction and maintenance projects at state universities funded by general obligation bonds. The bill does not change existing powers or create new requirements - it simply corrects outdated language in Section 37-101-15 to ensure the law accurately reflects the Board’s existing responsibilities. This procedural update directly affects the IHL Board and state universities managing bond-funded construction projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1295 revises Mississippi's definition of "agritourism activity" to include public viewing of farming, ranching, or cultural/historical attractions on commercial agricultural properties. It requires agritourism professionals (like farms offering public tours) to post a specific warning sign at entrances - using black letters at least 1 inch tall - stating participants assume risks inherent to farm activities, such as land conditions, equipment, animals, or participant negligence. Failure to post this sign means professionals lose liability protection for injuries caused by these inherent risks. The bill directly affects farm operators hosting public agritourism activities and visitors participating in them.