Bench warrant notices; revise the process.
HB 1142 amends Mississippi Code § 99-5-25 to allow court clerks to notify bail bond sureties (companies that post bail) about bench warrant forfeitures via U.S. mail or email, in addition to personal service. The bill requires clerks to retain proof of electronic transmission (like email receipts showing date, time, and attachments) and include this with a certificate of service. This change directly affects bail bond companies, streamlining how they receive critical notices about forfeited bonds while maintaining the legal requirement for proper notice. The policy change does not alter forfeiture rules but updates the delivery method for court notices.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 6, 2026
Signed Apr 9, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
As Passed the lower
→
Current version
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill fundamentally changes the purpose of HB 1142 from amending bail forfeiture procedures to creating a temporary task force to study bench warrant issues. The original text, which mandated specific notice timelines and electronic service methods for clerks, was removed. In its place, a new task force is established to review procedures and propose future legislation, while the bill also adds unrelated amendments regarding school board elections and county prosecutor salaries.
Scope change
The bill's scope shifted from direct regulation of court clerk procedures to establishing an advisory body. Additionally, the bill now includes provisions for school board trustee elections and county prosecuting attorney salaries that were not present in the original version.
REQUIREMENT
Deleted specific mandates requiring clerks to notify sureties about bail forfeiture within ten working days and rules regarding electronic transmission of notices.
Created the Mississippi Service of Bench Warrants Task Force to study warrant issuance and service procedures and report recommendations by December 1, 2026.
SCOPE
Added amendments to Section 37-7-203 regarding the election of school board trustees in specific municipal districts and Section 25-3-9 regarding salary increases for county prosecuting attorneys.
TIMELINE
Changed the bill's title and status from 'As Passed the House' to 'As Sent to Governor' to reflect the legislative process stage.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2026 · House Feb 5, 2026
How they voted
52–0
Passed
Total votes 52
Mar 5, 2026
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican34
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
21
Key actions
9
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Apr 9, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor
executive
Apr 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Report Adopted
lower
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference Report Adopted
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference Report Filed
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed As Amended
upper
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
Referred To Judiciary, Division B
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Introduced
Transmitted To Senate
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Jan 28, 2026
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Referred To Judiciary B
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jansen Owen
RRepublican
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