Maddy summaryHB 172 amends Mississippi election law to require that when a county or municipal executive committee delegates *all* of its election duties to the circuit clerk, county election commission, municipal clerk, or municipal election commission, the clerk or commission must formally enter into a written agreement. This affects county and municipal election officials who choose to transfer their responsibilities for election administration. The key mechanism mandates that the clerk or commission must sign the agreement if the committee authorizes full delegation, rather than allowing the committee to propose it unilaterally. The bill does not change the election duties themselves but clarifies the process for formalizing such delegations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 163 allows Mississippi absentee voters to correct signature mismatches on mail-in ballots. If a voter’s application signature doesn’t match the envelope signature, the registrar must notify them within one business day after the election and provide a cure form. Voters have until 12:00 p.m. on the fifth business day after the election to fix the issue via email, fax, or mail. This process applies only to mail-in absentee ballots, not in-person submissions, and prevents automatic rejection for signature discrepancies that can be corrected.
Maddy summaryHB 142 allows Mississippi county boards of supervisors to pay election commissioners an additional $35 per election day for duties performed during primary, runoff, general, or special elections. This amendment to Mississippi Code Section 23-15-153 authorizes counties to provide this extra payment on top of existing per diem rates ($110/day for election work). It directly affects election commissioners in all Mississippi counties, giving local officials discretion to offer this supplemental pay. The bill does not change existing pay structures but adds a new optional payment mechanism for election-day work. This is a procedural change focused solely on compensating election staff for specific election-related duties.
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 1850 creates a property tax exemption for Mississippi homeowners and property owners whose assessed value increases by more than 5% in a single year starting in 2026. Specifically, the portion of a property's value exceeding a 5% annual increase is exempt from ad valorem (property) taxes, but this exemption does not apply to value increases from construction, renovations, or improvements - except those enhancing energy efficiency, safety, or access. It also excludes the first year when a property's use or classification changes (e.g., from residential to commercial). The bill applies to all property types and adds this exemption to existing tax breaks without altering how property value is calculated.
Maddy summaryHB 292 amends Mississippi's sales tax code to exempt sales of tangible personal property or services to "Veterans Outreach" organizations from state sales tax. This directly affects Veterans Outreach groups that purchase goods or services for their operations, removing a tax burden on these essential services. The bill adds this exemption to the existing list of tax-exempt categories in the law, specifically targeting sales to these organizations. It creates a concrete policy change by expanding tax relief to support veterans' services without altering other tax rules. The exemption applies to ordinary and necessary purchases for Veterans Outreach activities, consistent with how other nonprofit exemptions operate.
Maddy summaryHB 912 amends Mississippi's arson laws to clarify that property owners or their agents can be charged with arson when intentionally burning their own buildings or structures. Previously, the owner's claim of ownership could serve as a defense; this bill removes that exemption for third-degree arson (Section 97-17-7), making it a crime to set fire to one's own property or act as an owner's agent in such acts. The bill maintains penalties of 1-3 years in prison for third-degree arson convictions and preserves forfeiture provisions for property used in arson. This directly affects property owners who intentionally burn their own buildings, eliminating a prior legal loophole.
Maddy summaryHB 911 updates Mississippi law to regulate abandoned motor vehicles on private property. It adds definitions for "abandoned motor vehicle," "landowner," and "Commissioner of Revenue," and requires landowners to report such vehicles to local law enforcement. The bill authorizes the Department of Revenue to charge fees for processing complaints, contract with county sheriffs to advertise and sell abandoned vehicles, and collect storage fees as debt. It also mandates determining if a vehicle is inoperable and excludes abandoned vehicles owned by automobile dealers. This directly affects landowners, law enforcement, and the Department of Revenue in handling abandoned vehicles.
Maddy summaryHB 1425 revises filing deadlines for candidates in several types of Mississippi elections. It changes the deadline for presidential candidates to file nominations to 75 days before the election (from a previous unspecified timeframe), and sets a 75-day deadline for candidates to qualify for special elections filling vacancies in county offices, legislative seats, congressional seats, and school board positions (previously 105 days for county vacancies). The bill directly affects candidates seeking these offices by altering the timeline for submitting their qualifications. These changes apply to specific election types outlined in Mississippi Code sections related to presidential elections, special elections, and school district trustee elections.
Maddy summaryHB 723 requires Mississippi state employees to receive reimbursement for approved travel expenses within 10 business days of submitting complete documentation. This applies specifically to state officers and employees (not county or municipal staff) who travel for official duties using personal vehicles or other means. The bill mandates that departments must process these reimbursements by the 10-day deadline, which is a new requirement added to existing travel expense rules. It does not change mileage rates, meal allowances, or other reimbursement standards - only the timeline for payment. The bill died in committee before becoming law.