Rep. Otis Anthony

Maddy summaryHB 1743 proposed requiring Mississippi's Department of Corrections (MDOC) to produce an annual consolidated financial statement for the Inmate Welfare Fund, which funds inmate welfare programs. The bill mandated independent bank verification of the fund's balance and required joint certification of the annual balance by MDOC's commissioner, the state auditor, and the executive director of PEER. It directly affected MDOC's financial reporting processes and oversight bodies responsible for monitoring fund usage. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1111 creates the Mississippi Youth and Family Systems Coordination Task Force to coordinate juvenile justice and behavioral health services across state systems. The task force, composed of 24 members with at least half being youth or individuals with lived experience in these systems, would develop research-based strategies to improve youth outcomes and reduce recidivism without altering judicial authority. It must submit annual reports to the governor and legislature starting in 2027 and operate as an advisory body with no regulatory power. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1740 prohibits Mississippi's Department of Corrections from charging state inmates for healthcare services, including writing off past unpaid fees. It requires communal kiosks in housing units for inmates to electronically request medical/dental appointments, with 24-hour triage response. The bill also mandates medication management per prescribed schedules, requires one licensed dietician for all facilities, and ensures 24/7 nursing staff with on-call physicians. These provisions directly affect all state inmates in Mississippi correctional facilities. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 1741 requires the Mississippi Department of Corrections to provide monthly rodent and pest control services at all state correctional facilities. It also mandates the Mississippi State Department of Health to conduct monthly inspections of these facilities for pest control compliance and report findings. The bill directly affects inmates and staff by establishing routine pest management and oversight at all state prisons. The legislation was introduced but died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 896 requires most health insurance policies (including those for state and school employees) to cover medically necessary custom-made orthotic and prosthetic devices starting July 1, 2026. The bill defines "medically necessary" using nationally recognized clinical guidelines and mandates coverage for all device materials, fittings, training, repairs, and up to three devices per affected limb every three years. It specifically covers devices aiding daily activities, work, hygiene, and physical health, while excluding over-the-counter items like canes or elastic supports. The law also requires the Insurance Commissioner to report on implementation to state legislators.

Maddy summaryHB 1446, the "Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi," would create a Mississippi Voting Rights Commission to prevent voter suppression and protect voting rights. It prohibits political subdivisions (like counties and cities) and state agencies from implementing election policies that disproportionately affect racial, ethnic, or language minority voters, requiring such policies to be reviewed by the Commission before implementation. The bill also mandates protections for limited English proficient voters and voters with disabilities, requires advance notice of election policy changes, and establishes a statewide voting database with universities. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 47 established the "Robert G. Clark, Jr., Educational Scholarship Program" at Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley State University. It provides tuition scholarships for up to four years to education students who commit to teaching full-time in Mississippi public school districts designated as having severe teacher shortages. Recipients must agree to teach in these areas for four years after graduation, with scholarships covering in-state tuition rates. The program would be administered by deans of each university's education college, requiring annual reports to the legislature on scholarship recipients and funding sources. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores voting rights to Kunta Gates of Humphreys County, Mississippi, who was disqualified after a 2008 statutory rape conviction. It specifies his 20-year sentence (including 12 years in prison) expired in 2020, and the legislature notes he has been a law-abiding citizen since. The bill directly affects Gates by legally reinstating his right to vote, which was previously suspended due to his conviction. It contains no new policy mechanisms beyond this specific restoration.

Maddy summaryHB 1978 restores voting rights to Tony Qualls of Humphreys County, Mississippi, who was disqualified due to past felony convictions for burglary. The bill specifically addresses Qualls' completed sentences (including parole and probation ending in 2015) and notes he has been a law-abiding citizen since. It directly affects only Tony Qualls, restoring his right to vote without changing broader voting eligibility laws. The bill is procedural, requiring no new mechanisms beyond a formal restoration for this individual.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 117) commemorates the life and legacy of Eric Landreal "Abdul Jaleel" Dixon, a Mississippi native and resident of Crystal Springs, following his passing. It expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' deepest sympathy to his family, including his wife, nine children, and fraternity brothers, while honoring his background as a Tougaloo College graduate, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity member, and devoted family man. The resolution serves as a formal tribute to his life, faith, and community service, without creating any new policy or affecting any laws. It was adopted and signed by the House on April 2, 2025.