Rep. Angela Cockerham

Maddy summaryHB 1911 allocates $12.6 million from the State General Fund to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning for repairs and renovations to Jackson State University's T.B. Ellis Building during the 2026 fiscal year (July 2025-June 2026). The bill provides specific funding to cover costs associated with physical improvements to this university building. It died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance further. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, directly affecting Jackson State University's campus infrastructure.

Maddy summaryHB 1589 proposed removing "durable legal relative guardianship" as an option for courts to place children in neglect or abuse cases. This would have affected children in Mississippi child welfare cases and their families, eliminating a specific custody arrangement where relatives or caregivers could gain long-term legal responsibility. The bill aimed to amend court disposition rules (including Section 43-21-609) to eliminate this option and update related sections. The legislation died on the calendar in February 2025 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1388 authorizes Mississippi's Office of State Public Defender to represent youth in delinquency cases (juvenile offenses) and "child in need of supervision" cases (non-criminal behavioral issues). It directly affects youth facing these legal matters, their attorneys, and the State Public Defender's office. Key provisions include requiring attorneys representing youth to complete annual juvenile justice training approved by the State Public Defender, and creating the "Juvenile Court Representation Fund" to cover legal costs for indigent youth and parents. The bill also clarifies that youth in these cases must have appointed counsel at critical stages, with training standards to ensure qualified representation.

Maddy summaryHR 17 is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) commending the life, service, and legacy of Mattie Jane Gardner Rials, a longtime children's librarian in McComb, Mississippi, following her passing in January 2025. It honors her 45-year career with the Pike-Walthall-Amite Library System, her creation of community programs for children and individuals with disabilities, and her founding of the Miss Mattie Foundation. The resolution expresses sympathy to her family, friends, and the Pike, Amite, and Walthall County community, and directs copies to her family, the library system, and the Capitol Press Corps. It contains no new policy, funding, or legal requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 851, the "Troy Floyd Act," creates a grant program to help Mississippi municipalities with populations under 3,000 purchase essential emergency equipment for their police departments, such as bulletproof vests, radios, and first aid kits. The bill establishes a dedicated state fund to provide grants of up to $50,000 per municipality, requiring applicants to submit detailed cost and equipment plans. Funds would be disbursed by the Mississippi Development Authority after legislative appropriation, with unspent balances rolling over annually. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and is not currently active.

Maddy summaryHB 1390 creates a task force composed of the Mississippi Rare Disease Advisory Council members (or their designees) to study how alternative funding programs affect patient access to affordable prescription drugs. The task force must complete its study by December 1, 2025, examining program types, business models, and impacts on patient assistance programs and insurance coverage. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and does not enact any direct policy changes - only authorizes a study to inform future legislation.

Maddy summaryHB 1389 requires Mississippi health plans and Medicaid to cover at least two FDA-approved nonopioid pain medications and three non-drug pain treatments (like physical therapy) as alternatives to opioids. It prohibits health plans from applying stricter approval steps (such as prior authorization) for nonopioid options than for opioids, ensuring equal access. The bill also mandates health plans to file coverage plans with the Department of Insurance and publicly share information about pain management options. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 559 removes time limits on appointing reserve or auxiliary law enforcement officers in Mississippi. It amends Section 45-6-11 to eliminate the previous restrictions that capped full-time trainee appointments at one year and reserve/auxiliary roles at two years. This change allows county and municipal law enforcement chiefs to appoint or deputize reserve officers without duration limits. The bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies and reserve officers by providing greater flexibility in their staffing. It does not alter certification requirements or other qualifications for these roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $26.7 million from Mississippi's Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund to the Department of Finance and Administration's Bureau of Building, Grounds, and Real Property Management. The funds are designated for eligible capital projects at state-owned buildings and grounds that comply with the American Rescue Plan Act, including improvements to water infrastructure, ventilation systems, and facilities for congregate living. The legislation requires the department to verify that each project is eligible and that the recipient has not already received reimbursement for the expenses, while also prohibiting the use of these funds for employee premium payments. Additionally, the department must submit annual reports detailing project allocations and expenditures to ensure transparency and compliance with federal guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 1830 provides additional state funding to cover operating expenses for the Secretary of State, the Mississippi Development Authority, and the Office of the Attorney General through June 30, 2025. The bill allocates $14.025 million to the Secretary of State for land improvement grants, $500,000 to the Mississippi Development Authority for small unmanned aircraft system manufacturer grants, and $2.5 million to the Attorney General for expenses related to victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. These funds are drawn from the state treasury and distributed according to the Treasurer's Office. Although the bill was signed into law, the Governor partially vetoed it, meaning the funding amounts or allocations may have been modified.