Rep. Donnie Scoggin

Maddy summaryThis resolution formally commends Mark Thornton's retirement as Editor-in-Chief of the Laurel Leader-Call after nearly 20 years of service, recognizing his journalism awards, investigative work, and community impact. It has no policy effect - it is purely a symbolic gesture of appreciation from the Mississippi House of Representatives. The resolution expresses gratitude for his contributions to local journalism and extends well-wishes for his retirement. It does not change any laws or affect any individuals or entities beyond this recognition.

Maddy summaryHR 73 is a ceremonial resolution commending Donna Black for her 36-year retirement from the Economic Development Authority (EDA) of Jones County, Mississippi. It formally recognizes her service as EDA Chief Financial Officer, highlighting her contributions to local economic development, mentorship of business leaders, and community impact. The resolution has no policy effect - it solely offers a formal tribute without creating new laws or altering programs. It was adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives on March 5, 2025, as a gesture of appreciation for her career.

Maddy summaryHB 1100 created the Mississippi Childcare Teachers Shortage Study Committee to examine the state's childcare worker shortage and explore solutions like wage incentives to increase affordable childcare access. The committee, composed of legislative members, state agency directors, and community representatives, was tasked with studying wage programs in other states and recommending actions to address the shortage. It was required to submit a report to key state officials by December 1, 2025, before dissolving. However, the bill died in committee on March 4, 2025, meaning the committee was never formed and no study occurred. This was a procedural bill focused solely on establishing a study group, not enacting direct policy changes.

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 summaryHB 1216 appropriated $1.5 million from the State General Fund to the Mississippi Department of Employment Security (as fiscal agent for the Office of Workforce Development) to fund the Paramedics Recruitment and Retention Scholarship Grant Program. The program was intended to provide scholarships for individuals pursuing paramedic careers, directly benefiting prospective paramedics in Mississippi seeking education and training. The funding would have covered the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), with the Department of Employment Security managing the disbursement. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 629 authorizes the University of Mississippi to lease specific campus properties (including Kincannon, West Row, South Parking Lot, and South Campus Recreation Center) for up to 45 years to develop academic buildings, housing, dining, parking, and retail spaces. The lease requires approval from the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL), mandates all proceeds go to a university-specific fund, and requires the property to revert to the university at lease end. The bill also preserves state mineral rights and allows lease renewals with IHL approval. This bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 630 creates a 13-member committee to study Mississippi's hospice and palliative care system. The committee, including state health officials, hospice providers, medical professionals, and advocates, will identify service gaps, assess cost savings from reduced hospital visits, and evaluate end-of-life care for incarcerated individuals. It must submit a final report by December 1, 2025, with recommendations for improving access, especially in rural areas and for prison populations. The committee will end on July 1, 2026, unless the legislature reauthorizes it. This bill directly affects residents needing end-of-life care and healthcare systems across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have prevented Mississippi Medicaid from seeking repayment for benefits from ABLE savings accounts established under state law. It specifically protects funds in these accounts - designed for people with disabilities to save without losing eligibility for benefits - from being used to cover Medicaid costs after the account holder's death. The bill amended state laws to ensure ABLE accounts are exempt from estate recovery rules that typically allow Medicaid to reclaim funds from a beneficiary's estate. This change would directly affect Mississippi residents with disabilities who use ABLE accounts to save for future needs while maintaining eligibility for public assistance.

Maddy summaryHB 1264 increases base salaries by $6,000 for all sworn officers in Mississippi's Highway Safety Patrol (MHP), Bureau of Narcotics (MBN), and Commercial Traffic Enforcement Division (CTED) within the Department of Public Safety. The bill revises the existing salary schedule to add $6,000 to the base pay for every rank category across all experience levels, such as raising Troopers' starting pay from $60,000 to $66,000. This applies to full-time officers serving in these three divisions, directly affecting their compensation without changing promotion structures or job classifications. The adjustment aligns with the current salary framework but provides a uniform $6,000 increase across all positions.

Maddy summaryHB 628 renames Mississippi's tuition grant program to the Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance and Workforce Acceleration Grant (MTAWAG), removing the previous ban that prevented Pell Grant recipients from receiving it. The bill expands eligibility to include part-time students, working adults, and those returning to education after extended time away, without initial academic requirements. It sets funding limits of $1,000 per semester for upperclassmen and $500 for freshmen/sophomores at state-approved colleges, requiring a 2.5 GPA and academic progress for renewal. The program directly affects Mississippi residents pursuing degrees or certificates at participating institutions.