Rep. Rodney Hall

Maddy summaryHB 538 prohibits Mississippi state and local governments, including public schools and universities, from adopting policies that interfere with federal immigration enforcement. It requires all government entities to cooperate with federal immigration authorities, share information about immigration status when requested, and comply with immigration detainer requests. Violations could lead to legal action against the government entity, as the law waives sovereign immunity for such cases. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 525 creates mandatory minimum prison sentences for sexual battery convictions in Mississippi, directly affecting individuals convicted of this crime and their victims. The bill sets specific minimum terms: 5 years for first offenses involving victims under 16, 10 years for repeat offenses, and life imprisonment for certain cases under Section 97-3-95(1)(d). It also requires courts to issue criminal sexual assault protection orders prohibiting offender-victim contact, mandating registry entry within 24 hours and a minimum 2-year duration post-sentence. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all sexual battery convictions under the amended statute.

Maddy summaryHB 611 requires Mississippi's Board on Law Enforcement Standards and Training to allow law enforcement officers and part-time officers to access relevant evidence and documents (known as "discovery") during disciplinary hearings. This applies specifically when the Board considers reprimands, suspensions, cancellations, or recalls of an officer's certification. The bill mandates that officers receive this right as part of the hearing process, aligning with standard civil procedure rules for evidence access. It directly affects officers facing certification disciplinary actions under Mississippi's law enforcement standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1076, the "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act," regulates private individuals or companies that assist veterans with benefits claims. It directly affects veterans seeking help with VA benefits and the advisors who charge for such services. Key provisions include banning upfront or nonrefundable fees, requiring written agreements that cap fees at five times any monthly benefit increase, prohibiting guarantees of specific outcomes, and mandating clear disclosures that free VA or state services are available. The bill also restricts advisors from using veterans' personal login credentials and requires background checks for anyone accessing veterans' medical or financial information.

Maddy summaryHB 562 establishes the MissCATEE Program, providing tuition-free community college education in career and technical education (CTE) for eligible Mississippi residents. It directly affects high school graduates or equivalent who enroll in approved CTE programs aligned with high-wage, high-demand industries (like healthcare, manufacturing, and IT) identified by the Office of Workforce Development. Key provisions require participants to commit to working in their field within Mississippi for a period set by the Office, with potential fund recoupment if they fail to fulfill this obligation. The program aims to address workforce shortages by connecting training to industry needs while prioritizing rural communities and supporting adults seeking new skills.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes DeSoto County, Mississippi, to stop paying for its local Crime Stoppers program and instead direct court fees toward the state Crime Stoppers initiative. It allows cities within the county to levy up to $1 per misdemeanor case, with those funds going to the state program rather than the local private organization. The legislation changes how additional court costs are collected and allocated, shifting funding from a county-level entity to a state-level system for crime reporting and investigation support.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution from the Mississippi Legislature that formally asks the U.S. Congress to authorize the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for military veterans who served in Honduras between 1981 and 1992. The resolution highlights that while similar service in El Salvador during the same period qualified for this medal, veterans who served in Honduras were excluded, creating what the bill describes as an inequity in recognition. It notes that service members in Honduras faced hazardous conditions and that several veterans' organizations and other states support this request for retroactive medal issuance. The bill does not directly change federal law but serves as an official memorial urging federal action to address the perceived disparity in military award eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 898 creates a 15-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 must review current practices, assess financial impacts on communities, analyze technology for accurate distribution, and evaluate oversight mechanisms. It will develop recommendations for legislative or administrative changes to be submitted to the 2027 Legislature by December 1, 2026. This directly affects municipalities (both large and small) and the state revenue agency, focusing on improving revenue allocation fairness. The committee will dissolve by January 1, 2027, unless extended.

Maddy summaryHB 420 increases homestead tax exemptions for Mississippi veterans aged 85 or older who were honorably discharged, and their unremarried surviving spouses. Currently, most homeowners receive capped tax exemptions (up to $288 for properties valued at $7,200+), but this bill removes that cap for eligible veterans and surviving spouses. It ensures they receive full exemption from all property taxes on the entire assessed value of their homestead property, not just a portion. This change directly affects qualifying elderly veterans and their surviving spouses who own homes in Mississippi. The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 27-33-75 to expand existing veteran homestead protections.

Maddy summaryHB 612 creates a streamlined pathway for military health technicians to become licensed practical nurses in Mississippi. It allows individuals who completed U.S. Coast Guard Health Services Technician training plus two years of direct patient care clinical experience to qualify for licensure without completing a standard nursing program. The bill amends Mississippi’s nursing licensure law to specifically recognize military medical training and experience as meeting the required qualifications. This directly affects active and veteran military health technicians seeking to practice nursing in Mississippi after their service.