Rep. Robert Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 111 would require the automatic commutation of sentences to time served for individuals convicted of drug offenses or nonviolent crimes who are serving five years or less in Mississippi's Department of Corrections. It directly affects incarcerated people meeting these specific criteria, excluding violent offenders, habitual offenders, sex offenders, or those convicted of trafficking under Section 47-7-3. The bill bypasses standard parole eligibility requirements by mandating release upon completion of time served, rather than requiring parole board consideration. This change applies only to current sentences of five years or less for qualifying nonviolent offenses, as defined by existing Mississippi law.

Maddy summaryHB 12 creates the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and Resilience (C-PACER) program, enabling commercial property owners (including agricultural, industrial, and multifamily properties with five or more units) to access long-term financing for qualifying energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and storm resilience upgrades. Local governments may establish voluntary C-PACER programs that allow property owners to repay financing through special assessments added to property taxes, with private lenders providing the initial funds. Qualifying projects include permanent improvements like solar panels, water-saving systems, flood barriers, or energy storage, subject to local government approval. The bill defines key terms, requires application reviews, and permits local governments to administer programs directly or through third parties.

Maddy summaryHB 127 would amend Mississippi law to prohibit using Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for college scholarships for individuals who are not currently receiving TANF benefits. This means state TANF funds could only support scholarships for people already enrolled in the TANF program, not for others. The bill would require the Department of Human Services to adjust how it allocates TANF funds to prevent such usage. It does not change eligibility for TANF benefits or existing scholarship programs.

Maddy summarySB 2435, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, proposed a new permit system for black bear hunting in Mississippi. It would have required hunters to obtain a separate "black bear harvest permit" (in addition to a regular hunting license) starting with the 2026-2027 season, initially limiting permits to 20 total. The bill mandated a 10% annual increase in the number of permits issued each subsequent season, with a maximum fee of $200 per permit. This would have directly affected both residents and nonresidents seeking to hunt black bears in Mississippi.

Maddy summarySB 2900 would allow Mississippi's state employee deferred compensation plan to offer Roth retirement accounts and other after-tax savings options, requiring contributions to be taxed at the time of contribution (not upon withdrawal). It also mandates that the plan comply with federal rules for dividing retirement benefits between spouses in divorce cases. This change would directly affect state employees participating in the deferred compensation program.

Maddy summaryHB 128 would prohibit Mississippi from providing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefits to any household earning more than 200% of the federal poverty level. This change would directly affect current and potential TANF recipients whose income exceeds this threshold. The key mechanism establishes a new income-based eligibility requirement, replacing or supplementing existing income rules in Mississippi's TANF program. This policy would make TANF assistance less available to higher-income households compared to current eligibility standards.

Maddy summaryHB 126 requires Mississippi's Department of Human Services to provide child care and transportation services to individuals applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits during key initial meetings, including application processing, job readiness classes, work program intake, and other orientation sessions. This policy directly affects TANF applicants who face barriers like lack of child care or transportation when attending required meetings. The bill amends existing TANF rules to mandate these supports, aiming to reduce obstacles to accessing benefits. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 114 directs Mississippi's Division of Medicaid to seek federal waivers to expand Medicaid eligibility. It would extend coverage to individuals with incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level and to uninsured individuals with incomes between 101% and 200% of the poverty level, who would receive premium assistance for employer or individual health insurance plans. If federal waivers are not approved by December 31, 2027, Medicaid would automatically expand under the Affordable Care Act. The bill aims to increase access to health coverage for low-income residents while specifying implementation timelines and federal approval requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 124 would have created a Mississippi Hospital Emergency Grant Program to provide financial assistance to hospitals in the state facing significant financial challenges. Eligible hospitals (licensed, in Mississippi, with at least one year of documented financial difficulty) could apply for grants to maintain essential services like staffing and facility upkeep, administered by the State Department of Health. Grants would be funded through a special treasury account, with hospitals required to report how funds were spent and the department mandated to submit annual reports on grant distribution. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2904 would allow law enforcement officers and firefighters who join Mississippi's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) on or after March 1, 2026, to retire after 20 years of service in those roles. This reduces the standard retirement requirement from 30 years of service for most members to 20 years specifically for these professions. However, members with less than 30 years of total service (across all roles) would receive a reduced retirement benefit due to an actuarial adjustment. The change applies only to new members joining PERS on or after the specified date.