Rep. Bryant Clark

Maddy summaryHB 273 updates Mississippi's sentencing and parole rules for habitual offenders convicted of violent crimes. It requires courts to impose maximum sentences for repeat violent offenders (defined under Section 97-3-2) unless they provide a written explanation for deviation. The bill explicitly bars parole eligibility for these offenders and sets life sentences under this statute to be calculated at 50 years for parole consideration. This directly affects inmates classified as habitual offenders who committed violent crimes, removing their parole options and tightening sentencing requirements. The changes apply to convictions involving two prior separate felony convictions with one-year-plus sentences in any penal institution.

Maddy summaryHB 246 requires Mississippi's State Board of Education to create a uniform policy for student residency rules that all local school boards must follow when enrolling public school students. This policy would standardize existing rules about where students must live to attend a school district, while preserving current exceptions allowing transfers for military families, school employees' children, transportation issues, and siblings. The bill does not change the existing rights of parents to legally transfer children between districts under current law (like Section 37-15-31) but mandates all school boards adhere to the new statewide policy. The bill died in committee in 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 274 removes outdated reporting requirements for county sheriff, assessor, and tax collector offices. Specifically, it eliminates the need for these officials to file monthly expense reports with the board of supervisors for approval and removes the requirement for the board to appropriate a quarterly lump sum for their office expenses. The bill does not change existing budget procedures for salaries, bonds, or other operational funding. This procedural update would have directly affected county-level law enforcement and tax administration offices across Mississippi. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 247 designates June 19 as "Juneteenth Freedom Day" in Mississippi to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, specifically referencing the date enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom on June 19, 1865. The bill adds this day to Mississippi's official calendar of commemorative observances but explicitly states it will not be a legal holiday and will not cost the state money. It clarifies that June 19 is a day for reflection and celebration of freedom, not a paid day off for state employees or schools. The bill aligns with existing Mississippi code that designates other non-holiday commemorative days, such as Elvis Presley Day and Hernando de Soto Day.

Maddy summaryHB 203 updates Mississippi's legal language to use respectful terminology for people with disabilities. It requires all state legislation, rules, and agency documents to replace outdated terms like "disabled," "handicapped," "crippled," and "mentally retarded" with person-centered language such as "persons with disabilities" or "persons with intellectual disabilities." This change applies to all new and existing laws, resolutions, and agency rules drafted by the legislative offices or state agencies. The bill aims to promote dignity and inclusion by ensuring language reflects people as individuals first, not defined by their disability.

Maddy summaryHB 275 increases the number of days counties and cities in Mississippi can declare as legal holidays to replace certain existing holidays, from one day to two days. Specifically, local governments may now choose two days (like Mardi Gras or other dates) instead of just one to serve as official holidays in lieu of holidays listed in state law, excluding Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans' Day. The bill does not create new holidays but adjusts local flexibility in holiday scheduling. This is a procedural change affecting only county and municipal governing bodies, not individual residents or businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 270 would allow municipalities in counties with seven or more cities to form joint police departments through a resolution process. It requires governing authorities to determine it serves their best interests (considering efficiency and cost savings), then establishes a governing board composed of mayors from participating cities and the county sheriff. The board would handle hiring, budgeting, equipment, and operations for the shared department. This bill directly affects municipalities seeking consolidated law enforcement services within qualifying counties.

Maddy summaryHB 245 would create the Mississippi Skill Standards Board, an advisory group appointed by the Governor to develop statewide skill standards and credentials for skilled jobs requiring less than a bachelor's degree. The board, composed of 13 members (including business representatives, workers, and education officials), would establish industry-recognized standards for occupations with strong local job opportunities and national recognition. It would validate existing standards, create new ones where needed, and work with employers to promote these standards for better workforce training alignment. The board would meet quarterly and provide annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, aiming to improve job readiness and economic opportunities in Mississippi.

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.