Maddy summaryHB 482 amends Mississippi Code Section 37-28-7 to explicitly authorize members of the Mississippi Charter School Authorizer Board to receive reimbursement for per diem, mileage, and actual travel expenses incurred while attending board meetings or performing duties. The bill directly affects the seven members of the board (appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Superintendent) who currently serve without salary but have been eligible for such reimbursement under existing law. This change formalizes and clarifies their compensation for meeting attendance and related duties, aligning with Section 25-3-69 of the Mississippi Code. The bill does not alter the board's structure, responsibilities, or charter school authorization processes.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1119 (the "Representative Andy Stepp Pharmacy Benefit Prompt Pay Act") requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacies at least the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) for drugs plus a standard dispensing fee, ensuring pharmacies are paid fairly for medications. It prohibits PBMs from charging patients more than the amount retained by the pharmacy and bans PBMs from penalizing patients for choosing specific pharmacies or favoring certain pharmacies in networks. The bill also mandates clear appeal processes for pharmacies disputing low reimbursements and prohibits PBMs from retaliating against pharmacies for exercising rights under the law. These provisions directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and patients in Mississippi by setting fair reimbursement standards and protecting patient choice.
Maddy summaryThe Mississippi Public Universities Reform Act prohibits state-funded public universities from establishing or supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or DEI officers, and bans mandatory DEI training and diversity statements in admissions, hiring, and promotions. Instead, it mandates that admissions and employment decisions be based solely on merit, with universities allowed to redirect reallocated DEI funds toward scholarships or tuition reductions. The bill requires annual compliance reporting from universities and establishes legal enforcement mechanisms for violations. This directly affects Mississippi's public universities, faculty, staff, and students by changing how admissions and hiring are conducted.
Maddy summaryHB 46 would have changed the reporting requirement for Mississippi's PEER (Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review) from annual to biennial (every two years). Specifically, it would have required PEER to assess charter school funding sufficiency, authorizer funding formulas, and recommend policy changes only once every two years instead of yearly. This change would directly affect PEER's workload and reporting schedule, reducing the frequency of this specific legislative oversight report. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.
Maddy summaryHB 1793 provides $332,928 in state funding for the Mississippi State Board of Barber Examiners to cover its operational expenses for the 2025 fiscal year. The bill authorizes the hiring of four permanent staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure these funds are used only for new hires rather than salary increases or promotions for existing employees. It sets specific performance goals, such as completing 425 examinations and processing licenses within one year, while also requiring the agency to give purchasing preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the board maintain detailed financial records and submit a budget report for the following year to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.
Maddy summaryHB 1796 provides funding for the Mississippi State Department of Health for the fiscal year 2025, allocating money from both the State General Fund and various special funds to cover operational expenses. The bill specifies how millions of dollars will be distributed to support specific programs, including trauma care systems, maternal and child health services, tobacco control initiatives, and grants for qualified health centers. It also authorizes the creation of new permanent and time-limited positions within the department while establishing strict rules to ensure salary increases are used only for hiring new essential staff rather than raising pay for current employees.
Maddy summaryHB 1800 authorizes over $10 billion in funding for Mississippi's Division of Medicaid for the 2025 fiscal year to cover medical assistance for eligible residents and administrative costs. The bill allocates money from the State General Fund, the Medical Care Fund, and special source funds, while also permitting the use of recovered funds to offset audit expenses. Additionally, the legislation sets specific limits on hiring new staff and salary increases, requiring that general funds not be used to replace federal funding or pay for current employees' promotions. The act further mandates that the agency maintain detailed financial records and submit future budget requests with CHIP and home and community-based services separated from the main medical program. Finally, it establishes performance targets for the division, including goals for processing claims within 30 or 90 days and reducing third-party liability costs.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates over $320 million in state and special funds to the Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services for the fiscal year 2025 to cover its operating expenses. The legislation authorizes the hiring of approximately 1,934 staff members and establishes strict rules to ensure salary funds are used only for new hires rather than raises or promotions for existing employees. Specific allocations within the budget support critical services, including a 24-hour hotline for trafficking victims, kinship care payments, foster home maintenance, and technology upgrades aimed at improving efficiency. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department give preference to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind when purchasing goods and requires detailed accounting records for all expenditures.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $256 million from state funds to cover the operating expenses of Mississippi's Department of Rehabilitation Services for the 2025 fiscal year. The legislation authorizes the department to hire a total of 1,076 employees, including both permanent and time-limited positions, while establishing strict rules to ensure new hires are used to fill vacancies rather than increase salaries for current staff. Additionally, the act sets specific performance targets for the department, such as the number of individuals served and the rate of employment placement, and includes provisions to prioritize purchasing goods from Mississippi Industries for the Blind.
Maddy summaryHB 1797 appropriates approximately $1.8 billion to the Mississippi Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2025, covering both general and special funds. The bill authorizes the hiring of over 1,700 permanent and time-limited employees while establishing strict rules to prevent salary increases for current staff unless new funding is approved. It also mandates that the department prioritize purchases from the Mississippi Industries for the Blind, prohibits using general funds to replace withdrawn federal money, and sets specific performance targets for investigative audits and services for aging adults. Additionally, the legislation requires detailed financial record-keeping, transfers $1 million to the Department of Health for child care licensure, and bans utility allowances for employees living in state-provided housing.