Rep. Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes

Maddy summaryHB 1121 adds kratom to Schedule III of Mississippi's Controlled Substances Act, classifying it as a regulated controlled substance. This change directly affects Mississippi residents who use, sell, or distribute kratom products, subjecting them to state laws governing possession, sales, and penalties for unauthorized use. Schedule III classification means kratom would require a prescription for medical use and face legal restrictions similar to other substances listed in that schedule. The bill amends Mississippi Code § 41-29-117 to include kratom under Schedule III's provisions, which regulate specific stimulants, depressants, and other substances. This is a concrete policy change in Mississippi's drug law, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 1051 would transfer administration of Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) certification from Mississippi's State Department of Health to the Mississippi Board of Nursing, effective July 1, 2026. The Board would handle all certification aspects, including setting requirements, approving training courses, administering exams, issuing licenses, and maintaining the CNA registry. It also requires transferring related staff and funds from the Health Department to the Board's special fund. The bill died in committee in February 2025 and did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 1609 prohibits Mississippi's public land-grant universities from using state funds to establish, staff, or support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices or hire DEI officers. It also bans requiring diversity training, diversity statements for hiring or admissions, and preferential treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Funds that would have been allocated to DEI roles in fiscal year 2025 may be redirected to merit scholarships for lower- and middle-income students and to reduce in-state tuition. Universities must report compliance with the law, and the Attorney General can enforce it through legal action for violations.

Maddy summaryHB 1120 would create a state program requiring Mississippi's Department of Health to screen and approve the over-the-counter sale of products containing substances with potential for recreational use or abuse, such as bath salts, kratom, and tianeptine. The State Health Officer would decide on approvals or denials based on available evidence, and manufacturers could appeal denials to the State Board of Health within 30 days. Local governments could maintain existing ordinances limiting such products (enacted before July 1, 2025), which would not be overridden by the state program. The bill was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, but died in committee in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1604, the "Permit Freedom Act," requires state and local agencies to use clear, unambiguous language when setting criteria for permits related to constitutionally protected activities (like free speech or assembly). It mandates a 30-day processing timeline for permit applications, shifts the burden of proof to agencies in denial hearings (requiring them to prove denials are justified), and ensures hearings follow standard court procedures. Applicants can appeal agency decisions directly to chancery court for a full review, not just a procedural check, with evidence from the original hearing considered. This bill would affect anyone seeking permits for protected activities in Mississippi, aiming to reduce arbitrary denials through transparent rules and judicial oversight. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 1487 prohibits the relocation, removal, or alteration of historical monuments, memorials, plaques, or public spaces (like streets or parks) dedicated to military conflicts (e.g., Civil War, World War II, Civil Rights movement) or military figures on public property in Mississippi. It directly affects local governments, county boards, and any entity managing public spaces containing such protected items. The bill creates a legal mechanism allowing any person who believes a violation occurred to sue the responsible party in the county court where the violation happened. It includes an exception for Mississippi Transportation Commission projects involving public roads or transit facilities. The law applies to all protected items existing when the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryHB 678, the Mississippi Doxxing Prevention Act, prohibits intentionally sharing restricted personal information (like home addresses, phone numbers, or email) of specific protected individuals with the intent to harass or threaten them. It directly affects law enforcement officers, government employees, jurors, witnesses, and informants (defined as "covered persons") by creating criminal penalties: first offenses are misdemeanors (up to 6 months jail or $2,000 fine), while repeat offenses or cases involving violence become felonies (up to 10 years in prison or $10,000 fine). The bill also amends Mississippi’s public records law to exempt the restricted personal information of these covered persons from public disclosure. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee but died there on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1331 would restructure the nine-member board governing Mississippi's Department of Archives and History, effective July 1, 2025. It specifies that eight board members must be appointed from the state's four congressional districts (two from each district as they existed on that date), plus one at-large member appointed by the Governor with Senate approval. The bill establishes staggered initial terms for the reconstituted board and requires all future appointments to serve six-year terms, while current board members would serve one-year terms upon the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1608 would add 16 specific fentanyl-related drugs to Mississippi's Schedule I list of controlled substances. These substances are defined as having no legitimate medical use and a high potential for harm. The bill directly affects anyone possessing, distributing, or using these 16 listed drugs within Mississippi. This classification makes their possession or distribution illegal under state law, aligning with existing federal standards for similar substances.

Maddy summaryHB 1603 would rename Mississippi's "Polygraph Examiners Law" to include computer voice stress analyzers (CVSA), authorizing licensed examiners to use CVSA as an alternative to standard polygraph tests for verifying truthfulness or detecting deception. The bill updates licensing requirements, examiner qualifications, and board oversight to cover both polygraph and CVSA methods, defining CVSA as a device measuring voice frequency changes. It directly affects licensed examiners and testing facilities in Mississippi by expanding approved tools for deception detection. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.