Rep. Jeffrey Hulum

Maddy summaryHB 676 requires every vehicle owner in Mississippi to provide proof of minimum liability insurance coverage when registering or renewing a vehicle registration. It establishes an online verification system managed by the Department of Public Safety (replacing the Department of Revenue) to check insurance status instantly during registration. The system overrides physical insurance cards, denies registration for non-compliant vehicles, and mandates insurers to submit policy data every 30 days. This directly affects all vehicle owners and insurers operating in Mississippi, with the system required to be fully operational by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 667 would automatically register Mississippi residents to vote when they apply for, renew, or update a driver's license or state ID card, provided they qualify to vote. Applicants would need to provide basic personal details (name, address, date of birth, etc.) and could opt out if they chose not to register. The Department of Public Safety would collect this information and send it to election officials within five days, with an opt-out option requiring a clear affirmative decline. This bill directly affects anyone applying for a Mississippi driver's license or ID card who is eligible to vote. It does not change voting eligibility rules but creates a new, streamlined registration process through the DMV.

Maddy summaryHB 664, the Mississippi Firearms Parental Amnesty Act, would create legal immunity for parents or legal guardians who voluntarily turn in firearms owned or controlled by a minor under 18 to law enforcement. It protects them from civil or criminal liability for the firearm’s prior possession or use, regardless of whether it was involved in a crime. Parents could surrender firearms at police stations or request an officer to collect them, without needing to provide ID, photos, or fingerprints, and no payment would be required. The bill also amends related firearm storage and surrender laws (Section 45-9-53) to align with this provision. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 668 requires private landowners or renters in Mississippi with cemeteries, graves, or burial sites to allow reasonable access to family members, plot owners, and researchers who provide advance notice. The bill specifies that access is limited to visiting graves, maintaining sites, or conducting research, and landowners can set reasonable hours, frequency, and routes for entry. Visitors must not damage the property and are liable for any damage caused, while landowners gain legal immunity from lawsuits related to this access. The law, set to take effect July 1, 2026, died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 694 would require most new driver's license applicants in Mississippi to pass a road test demonstrating safe vehicle operation in real traffic conditions, instead of only taking a written test. The bill affects new drivers applying for their first license (including teens and adults), with alternatives available like completing a state-approved driver education course or having a parent/guardian certify 50 hours of supervised driving. The road test must be conducted in a vehicle meeting safety standards (e.g., working lights, brakes), administered by the Commissioner of Public Safety. This change, scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, aims to ensure applicants can safely operate a vehicle in traffic.

Maddy summaryHB 666 would allow counties, municipalities, tribes, or state agencies in Mississippi that permit alcohol sales (so-called "wet" jurisdictions) to authorize package liquor retailers to sell alcohol on Sundays between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. This bill directly affects local governing authorities in wet areas and the package retailers operating within them. It does not require retailers to sell on Sundays - businesses could continue operating Monday through Saturday only. The bill amends existing law to permit these Sunday hours while maintaining other restrictions, such as sales only between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on other days. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law), designating April 8-12, 2026, as "Week of the Young Child" in Mississippi. It highlights challenges in early childhood education, including low wages for childcare providers (averaging under $13/hour) and high costs for families. The resolution expresses support for investments to stabilize childcare systems but does not create new policies or funding. It died in committee on February 3, 2026, and has no direct impact on legislation or affected individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 681 would remove the $50,000-per-year cap on damages for Mississippi residents wrongfully convicted and incarcerated, replacing it with unlimited compensation based on the court's finding of innocence. It requires proof of innocence through a pardon stating innocence or reversal of conviction (e.g., dismissal, new trial acquittal), excluding pre-indictment detention. The bill also maintains attorney fee provisions (up to 25% of the award) and specifies damages won't be subject to taxes or civil lawsuit caps. This bill died in committee in February 2026 and remains pending.

Maddy summaryHB 704, the Mississippi Doxxing Prevention Act, would prohibit intentionally sharing personal information like home addresses, phone numbers, or emails of law enforcement officers, government employees, jurors, witnesses, and criminal informants with the intent to harass, threaten, or facilitate a crime against them or their close relations. It would also amend public records laws to keep this information confidential, preventing it from being publicly accessible. Violations would be misdemeanors for first offenses (up to $2,000 fines or six months in jail) and felonies for repeat offenses (up to $10,000 fines or five years in prison), with harsher penalties if violence is involved. The bill aims to protect these individuals from harassment by making doxxing a criminal offense with specific, enforceable penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 699 restores voting rights automatically for Mississippi residents convicted of vote fraud, specific crimes listed in Section 241 of the state constitution, or crimes later deemed disenfranchising by Attorney General opinions. It directly affects individuals who have completed all sentencing requirements (like fines, probation, or incarceration) for these offenses. The bill amends election laws to automatically reinstate voting eligibility in the state voter database once sentencing is fully satisfied, eliminating the need for separate applications or court orders. This change applies to all such convictions, ensuring eligible voters are restored to the rolls without additional administrative steps.