Rep. Angela Cockerham

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) commending Mississippi's chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, for their community service. It formally recognizes the sorority's 116-year history, local contributions (including over 36 chapters in Mississippi), and work on issues like youth suicide prevention and maternal health. The resolution has no policy impact - it simply expresses legislative appreciation for their service. It was adopted by the Mississippi House of Representatives on March 17, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1773 provides additional state funding for legal expenses and corrections. It allocates $156,842 from the Capital Expense Fund to cover court costs, settlements, and legal fees for the Attorney General's Office related to specific cases, including Curtis Flowers v. State of Mississippi ($50,000) and Eddie Lee Howard v. State of Mississippi ($50,000). An additional $995,000 from the Capital Expense Fund is designated for ongoing legal matters through June 2026, including $350,000 for a federal CRIPA investigation into the Department of Corrections. The bill also includes a $0 allocation for the Corrections medical program under the General Fund. This is a procedural funding measure to cover existing legal obligations, not a policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1387 expands eligibility for monthly payments to relatives and non-relatives caring for foster children in Mississippi. It revises Section 43-15-17 to allow payments to "godparents, friends of the family, or other adults who have a strong familial bond with the child," beyond the previous third-degree relative limit. The bill also amends Section 43-21-105 to define "fictive kin" as those with a strong family connection, ensuring they qualify for the same 100% of standard foster care payment rate. This change directly affects caregivers like extended family, close family friends, or godparents who provide foster care but weren’t previously covered. Payments remain subject to legislative funding and require completion of foster care training, unless exempt.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution honoring Officer Troy Floyd of the Summit Police Department, who died in the line of duty on August 8, 2024. It expresses the legislature's deepest sympathy to his family and commemorates his 28-year career in law enforcement across multiple Mississippi departments. The resolution formally recognizes his service, sacrifice, and legacy of commitment to community safety, without creating any new laws or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1828 allocates $1 million from the state budget to Sunnyhill Water Association for constructing a new water well and upgrading its water system. The funding, intended for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, directly supports the association’s infrastructure improvements. This is a straightforward state financial assistance measure with no additional policy provisions or eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1640 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund two specific infrastructure projects in Amite County: replacing a bridge on Robertson Road over Brushy Creek and stabilizing the riverbank at the same location. The bill establishes the legal framework for issuing these bonds, including repayment guarantees using the state's full credit, with proceeds directed solely to these projects. The legislation was referred to the Ways and Means committee but died there on February 26, 2025, meaning it did not advance to become law. Amite County would be the direct beneficiary of the funding for these local projects.

Maddy summaryHB 1641 authorizes the state of Mississippi to issue general obligation bonds to provide funding for Pike County's McComb Public Library. The bill specifically covers costs for repairing, renovating, and upgrading the library building in McComb. The proceeds from these state bonds would be transferred to a dedicated fund to pay for these library improvements. This bill directly affects Pike County residents and the McComb Public Library by providing state financial support for physical facility upgrades.

Maddy summaryHB 1829 proposed appropriating $4 million from the state general fund to Pike County for constructing a bridge on U.S. Highway 51 over the Canadian National Railway. The project aimed to improve access to the Metro Pike Industrial Park by connecting the highway to the rail corridor. The bill would have funded this bridge construction during the 2025-2026 fiscal year (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 1908 appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund to the Town of Centreville, Mississippi, to help cover costs for purchasing a new fire truck for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This bill directly affects Centreville's local government and fire department by providing state funding for equipment acquisition. The key provision is a one-time state payment to assist the town with the fire truck purchase, to be disbursed by the State Treasurer upon proper requisition. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and was not enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1906 is a funding bill that allocates $16.3 million from the state general fund to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for a bypass project on Mississippi Highway 24 around the Town of Liberty in Amite County. This funding, intended for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, would directly support construction costs for the bypass, aiming to improve traffic flow and safety for Liberty residents and travelers. The bill specifies that funds would be disbursed by the State Treasurer upon proper requisitions. However, the bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not advance to become law.