Rep. Brent Powell

Maddy summaryHB 1393 creates the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund in the state treasury to support energy-related projects that boost economic development. The fund provides grants, loans, or financial assistance to local entities (like counties, municipalities, or economic development groups) for approved projects, such as expanding transmission lines, pipelines, or facilities that improve energy infrastructure. Projects must demonstrate significant regional impact or enhance economic development sites, and electric utilities cannot directly receive funding. The Mississippi Development Authority administers the fund, sets application requirements, and has sole discretion to approve assistance based on project eligibility.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 671 renounces state prohibition as policy, allowing the legal manufacture, sale, distribution, and transportation of alcoholic beverages statewide effective January 1, 2027, except in counties that vote to maintain prohibition via election after that date. It revises how often counties can hold such elections and clarifies that possessing alcohol becomes lawful throughout the state as of January 1, 2021, with exceptions for selling without authorization. The bill amends multiple sections to align with this shift, including updating definitions of "alcoholic beverage" and establishing new rules for delivery services through package retailers. These changes aim to modernize Mississippi's alcohol laws while preserving local option for prohibition via voter referendums.

Maddy summaryHB 669 would allow Mississippi residents to order distilled spirits (like whiskey and vodka) directly from manufacturers for home delivery, expanding an existing system that only permitted direct wine shipments. To qualify, manufacturers must obtain a special permit, pay a tax, and follow rules including age verification (21+ for delivery), labeling requirements, and a limit of 12 nine-liter cases per year per household. The bill affects distilled spirits manufacturers (who can now ship directly) and Mississippi residents (who gain a new purchasing option), while maintaining state tax collection and regulatory oversight. It does not change current restrictions on selling through retail stores or limit sales to specific products.

Maddy summaryMississippi HB 1664 creates the "Mississippi Video Service Act," establishing a regulatory framework for video service providers (like cable companies) operating in the state. The bill requires providers to obtain a "certificate of franchise authority" from the Secretary of State, sets fees for using public rights-of-way (e.g., utility poles), and mandates customer service standards. It defines key terms, distinguishes between "incumbent" (existing) and "nonincumbent" (new) providers, and reserves channel capacity for public, educational, or government use. The act explicitly excludes satellite services and internet streaming from its definition of "video service," focusing only on providers using physical infrastructure in public rights-of-way.

Maddy summaryHB 1632 establishes a statewide accountability system for Mississippi's community public wastewater systems (serving at least 15 year-round connections or 25 consumers). It requires the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality to create a letter grade system (A-F) based on objective criteria including permit compliance, water quality standards, financial health, infrastructure condition, and customer satisfaction. The department must publish annual performance scores and letter grades for each system online, and systems must notify customers of their grade within 30 days. This law directly affects local wastewater providers by mandating transparent public reporting of their service quality and sustainability.

Maddy summaryHB 867 amends Mississippi Code to rename the "Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging Fund" to the "Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging and Maintenance Fund." The bill authorizes the fund to be used for shoreline maintenance and erosion prevention activities, in addition to its existing purpose of funding reservoir dredging. It maintains the existing limit of $200,000 annually from lease payments deposited into the fund by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Unspent funds will not revert to the general state fund, and interest earned remains in the account.

Maddy summaryHB 1073 prevents local governments in Mississippi from banning or restricting the sale or use of farm equipment (like tractors), motor vehicles, or lawn tools (including mowers, leaf blowers, and generators) based on their fuel source (e.g., gasoline, electric, or propane). It directly affects consumers purchasing these items and local governments that might have attempted to enforce such fuel-based restrictions. The bill prohibits governmental entities from enacting or enforcing rules that limit these products due to fuel type, while still allowing safety regulations and manufacturer recommendations to apply. This law amends Mississippi Code Sections 75-99-5 and 75-99-7 to clarify these protections. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 965 removes a prohibition on commercial hazardous waste facilities and underground injection wells in Mississippi's hazardous waste management law. The bill directly affects commercial waste facilities, operators, and regulators by eliminating specific restrictions on where such sites can be located. Key provisions include deleting outdated references to the Mississippi Capacity Assurance Plan and federal requirements under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The law maintains alignment with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards while updating administrative language. This is a procedural revision to state statutes, not a new regulatory requirement.

Maddy summaryHB 670 increases the limit on how many package retailer permits a person can own from one to two, under certain conditions. This change directly affects business owners who currently hold a single permit for stores selling alcohol in sealed containers for takeaway (not on-premises consumption). The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 67-1-51 to allow ownership of up to two such permits, without altering other permit types or sales rules. This is a concrete policy change to expand business ownership options in the alcohol retail sector.