Rep. Solomon Osborne

Maddy summaryHB 380, the "Mississippi Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act," would have created a pilot program to provide voter registration information to 12th-grade students in Mississippi public schools during the 2027 fiscal year. It required the Secretary of State to fund eligible public school districts (via applications detailing their voter education plans) to share registration resources, with schools collaborating with local election officials and political parties. The bill mandated reports from schools to the Secretary of State and from the Secretary to the legislature, along with legislative funding approval. However, the bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 524, the "Fair Minimum Wage Act," would have established Mississippi's minimum wage at $15.00 per hour for all workers, effective immediately, with automatic annual adjustments based on inflation (using the U.S. Consumer Price Index). It directly affects all employers and low-wage workers across the state by requiring them to pay at least $15 hourly, prohibiting the use of tips or commissions to meet this standard, and mandating future increases tied to cost-of-living changes. The bill was referred to committee in early 2026 but died there on February 3, 2026, so it never became law. Key provisions included eliminating the federal minimum wage as the baseline and requiring the Department of Employment Security to calculate annual adjustments starting in 2026.

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 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 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 703 requires Mississippi state agencies to reserve at least 5% of annual commodity purchases for businesses owned by veterans and people with disabilities, expanding an existing requirement that previously applied only to minority-owned businesses. This law amends public purchasing regulations to explicitly include veteran- and disability-owned businesses as eligible for set-aside contracts, while maintaining existing bidding rules (e.g., lowest bid must be accepted unless 2% higher than a qualified minority bid). The policy affects all state agencies purchasing goods, ensuring these businesses can compete for a portion of procurement contracts. The bill does not change the 20% maximum set-aside cap for minority businesses or alter the process for awarding contracts.

Maddy summaryHB 869, the "One Fair Wage Act," establishes a phased increase in Mississippi's minimum wage for most workers, starting at $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2027, rising to $17.50 by 2030, and then adjusting annually based on the Consumer Price Index. It specifically addresses tipped employees by allowing employers to pay a lower base wage (as low as $12.00/hour in 2028) if total wages plus tips meet the minimum wage requirement, with the tip credit phasing out entirely by 2029. The law applies to most employers and employees in Mississippi, excluding state government, the U.S. government, tribal entities, and certain domestic workers. It explicitly states that federal law takes precedence and ensures the wage schedule is prospective, not retroactive.

Maddy summaryHC 37 is a ceremonial concurrent resolution recognizing Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) on its 75th anniversary. It commends the university for its 75 years of contributions to Mississippi and the nation, highlighting its founding in 1946 as Mississippi Vocational College, its evolution into a university, and its role in providing education and vocational training. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely a symbolic honor with no new requirements or funding. It was formally adopted by the Mississippi legislature in February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1920 appropriates $100 million (split equally as $50 million each) to Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College for campus facility repairs and improvements through June 2026. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic buildings, upgrading electrical/plumbing systems, modernizing academic spaces, improving student housing, enhancing safety systems, and implementing energy efficiency initiatives. Each college must submit a detailed plan with timelines and provide annual progress reports to the Legislature. The bill, referred to Appropriations committees in February 2025, died in committee and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1921 appropriates $300 million ($100 million to each) to Mississippi's three HBCUs - Alcorn State, Jackson State, and Mississippi Valley State - for repairing and upgrading campus buildings and infrastructure. The funds cover specific projects like restoring historic structures, modernizing electrical/plumbing systems, improving student housing, creating new academic spaces, enhancing safety systems, and supporting energy efficiency. Each university must submit a detailed plan for approval and provide annual progress reports to the legislature on how the money is spent.