Rep. Elliot Burch

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (HC 28) formally commends the George County High School Rebels Baseball Team for winning the 2024 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State Championship. It specifically recognizes their 30-5 season, the 27-year championship drought broken since 1997, and honors head coach Brandon Davis (who earned his 400th career win while coaching his son, Ben Davis, named Class 6A Player of the Year). The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a ceremonial tribute to the team's athletic achievement and sportsmanship. It was adopted by both legislative chambers and signed into law on February 27, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1706 allocates $1.5 million from the state general fund to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for fiscal year 2026. The funding specifically allows MEMA to purchase equipment that pumps or transfers drinkable water to healthcare facilities and other essential institutions during natural disasters that disrupt water systems. This bill directly affects MEMA's emergency response capabilities and ensures critical facilities can maintain water access when local systems fail due to events like floods or storms. The appropriation becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 1286 clarifies when a bail bond legally ends and becomes invalid. It specifies five scenarios: when a defendant is convicted and sentenced, charges are dropped or dismissed, the case is closed, the defendant surrenders to authorities (via any method), or the defendant is placed in a diversion program. This directly affects bail agents, courts, and defendants by providing clear, concrete rules for when bail obligations terminate. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not change existing bail procedures - only defines termination points.

Maddy summaryHB 101 would require Mississippi prosecutors to notify law enforcement officers in writing before sending a "Giglio letter" (a notice to an officer's employer about credibility concerns) or adding an officer to a "Giglio list" (a list of officers deemed untrustworthy for testimony). The notice must detail the issue, allow 30 days for the officer to review evidence and meet with the prosecutor, and include the right to be accompanied by counsel. If a prosecutor proceeds, the officer could appeal the decision to a circuit court for a full review. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, would have directly affected all law enforcement officers and prosecutors in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 1228 modifies Mississippi construction licensing and permitting rules. It allows certain counties to opt out of requiring permits for construction in unincorporated areas and permits some municipalities to do the same within city limits. The bill also increases the monetary threshold for when home remodeling work requires a contractor license (from $500 to $1,000), affecting homeowners and small remodelers. Additionally, it creates an alternative licensing process for the State Board of Contractors. These changes primarily impact local governments, residential builders, and remodelers by altering permit requirements and licensing thresholds.

Maddy summaryHB 1229 makes it a misdemeanor to harass first responders (including police, firefighters, and EMTs) after being verbally warned to stay away. It prohibits approaching within 25 feet with intent to impede their duties, threaten them, or cause serious emotional distress. Violators face fines up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The bill directly affects individuals who engage in such behavior toward emergency personnel while performing their duties. It aims to provide legal recourse for responders facing intentional, repeated harassment.

Maddy summaryHB 1287 clarifies that the Mississippi Transportation Commission must transfer a specific parcel of land (approximately 9.78 acres near the old Chickasawhay River Bridge on Highway 63 in Greene County) to Greene County Board of Supervisors via donation, rather than other methods. The land, described in detail, will be restored to local tax rolls for private ownership. Key restrictions include prohibiting junkyards, billboards, and outdoor advertising (except for property sales), while utilities remain under owners' control without requiring relocation. The state retains all mineral rights to the transferred property.

Maddy summaryHB 729 would allow homeschool students in Mississippi to participate in public school sports, clubs, and other sanctioned extracurricular activities, provided they meet specific academic and procedural requirements. Homeschool students must submit proof of academic proficiency (like standardized test scores or a portfolio), pay the same fees as public school students, and follow the same behavioral, academic, and physical standards as their peers. School districts could apply for state funding of $2,250 per homeschool student to cover participation costs through a new Homeschool Extracurricular Activity Fund, while prohibiting discrimination in team selection and clarifying that participation is a privilege, not a right.

Maddy summaryHB 100 revises Mississippi law to redirect fines from certain simple assault convictions into the "Victims of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation Fund" instead of the Mississippi Children's Trust Fund. It applies specifically to misdemeanor violations of assault laws (Section 97-3-7) and other related offenses like Section 97-3-54.1, requiring a $1,000 assessment per conviction to fund victim services. The bill would have taken effect July 1, 2025, but died in committee in February 2025. It directly affects individuals convicted of targeted assault crimes in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 1265 creates a 13-member Sales Tax Diversion Study Committee to examine how Mississippi allocates sales tax revenue between the state Department of Revenue and local municipalities. The committee will review current practices, assess financial impacts on municipalities, and recommend reforms for the 2026 legislative session. It must report findings by December 1, 2025, and includes representatives from state agencies, large and small municipalities, and economic organizations. The bill itself does not change tax law but establishes a process to study revenue distribution.