Rep. Angela Cockerham

Maddy summaryHB 505 appropriates $500,000 from the State General Fund to Pike County's Board of Supervisors to cover repair and improvement costs for the McComb Public Library during fiscal year 2027 (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027). The funds are intended to assist with physical upgrades and maintenance at the library, directly benefiting the library's operations and patrons in McComb. This is a straightforward funding allocation with no new policy provisions, requiring the State Treasurer to disburse the money upon proper requisitions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1652 requires Mississippi municipalities and counties to return leftover funds and earned interest from certain local improvement projects to the state's Capital Expense Fund. It sets deadlines: unspent funds must be returned within 30 days if no project agreement exists, or within three years (with a possible six-month extension) after an agreement is signed. If funds aren't returned, the state can withhold 10% of future sales tax payments to the entity until the funds are recovered. This bill updates existing state laws to enforce these return requirements and recovery procedures for funds originally allocated under Chapter 102, Laws of 2021.

Maddy summaryHB 1573 modifies Mississippi's license tag rules to allow Wildlife Mississippi supporters to obtain a distinctive vehicle tag. It requires the organization to submit proof they will sell at least 100 tags and deposit funds to cover that purchase. The organization must meet this requirement within three years of the law's passage to have the tags issued. This bill directly affects Mississippi residents who support Wildlife Mississippi by enabling them to display a special license tag.

Maddy summaryHB 1617 requires Mississippi's State Department of Health (SDH) to publish detailed online explanations when granting exemptions from Certificate of Need (CON) requirements or when deviating from the State Health Plan's projections. Specifically, SDH must post reasons for exempting any entity from CON rules (under Section 41-7-187) or for issuing a CON that doesn't align with the State Health Plan (under Section 41-7-193). This bill aims to increase transparency around SDH's decisions affecting healthcare providers seeking CON approvals. It directly impacts SDH's public reporting duties and entities navigating the CON process. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1621 removes specific restrictions on hazardous waste disposal in Mississippi. It eliminates the prohibition on underground injection methods for hazardous waste (amending Section 17-17-27) and deletes requirements for the Permit Board to consider Mississippi's capacity plan or interstate agreements (amending Section 17-17-151). The bill also removes legislative findings about federal law compliance (amending Section 17-17-153). These changes would directly affect commercial hazardous waste facilities seeking permits and the Permit Board’s review process.

Maddy summaryHB 1162 requires Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to identify up to five toxic air pollutants most likely to harm infants and children, review existing controls for them within two years, and prepare reports on new regulations for unregulated pollutants within three years. It mandates MDEQ to annually evaluate at least 15 toxic pollutants, update its list by 2027, and adopt new control measures to reduce emissions. The bill also requires public reporting of fence-line monitoring data for "covered facilities" and public input on proposed regulations. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 35 is an appropriation bill that allocates state funds for Mississippi's legislative operations during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). It directly funds salaries, travel, and daily allowances for House and Senate members, contingent operating funds for both chambers, and expenses for key legislative committees - including the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, Performance Evaluation Committee, and Reapportionment Committee. The bill also covers assessments for interstate organizations like the Southern States Energy Board and allocates $2.4 million for computer systems upgrades for the Budget Committee. As a procedural funding measure, it does not create new policies but ensures existing legislative bodies have resources for their mandated duties.

Maddy summaryHB 40 reappropriates existing state funds for construction and renovation projects at Mississippi state agencies, universities, community colleges, and facilities like water treatment plants. It renews authorization for unused funds from prior fiscal years (up to $175 million total), specifically for projects previously approved under bills like HB 1816 (2024) and HB 1643 (2023). The bill does not create new funding but allows agencies to spend leftover money from the previous year on the same projects they were originally intended for. It explicitly states that spending cannot exceed the unspent balance as of June 30, 2025, and cannot change the original project purpose. This is a procedural budget adjustment, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 32 appropriates $46.39 million (split between $33.89 million general funds and $12.50 million special funds) for Mississippi's Attorney General's Office for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects the Attorney General's operations by funding salaries, staffing headcounts (91 permanent, 209 time-limited positions), and operational expenses. Key provisions strictly limit "Personal Services" spending to $30.72 million for salaries and fringe benefits, prohibit using funds for promotions or salary increases beyond budgeted amounts, and require compliance with Mississippi's Variable Compensation Plan. The bill mandates detailed financial reporting and ties funding to specific performance metrics like criminal conviction affirmations (target: 93%).

Maddy summaryHB 46 provides additional state funding for multiple agencies during fiscal years 2025 and 2026. It allocates specific amounts to cover existing costs, including $156,842 for the Attorney General's legal expenses related to ongoing cases (like Curtis Flowers v. State of Mississippi), $4.3 million for the Department of Corrections' medical program, $14 million for replacing an offender tracking system, and $27.4 million for the Department of Child Protective Services to cover increased operational costs. The bill directly affects state agencies by providing funds for legal fees, medical services, technology upgrades, and child welfare operations. This is a funding measure, not a new policy, and does not change existing laws or create new programs.