Rep. John Hines

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 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.

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 summaryHB 1537 proposes creating a temporary Mississippi Task Force on Gun Violence Prevention, Child Safety, and Domestic Violence. The task force, composed of 45 members from diverse sectors including law enforcement, courts, schools, health services, and community organizations, would study issues like firearm trafficking patterns, school safety measures, and domestic violence cases involving firearms. It would develop recommendations to reduce gun violence while protecting lawful firearm ownership, improve coordination between agencies, and enhance victim safety - reporting to the Governor, Legislature, and Chief Justice. The bill does not create new laws but establishes a study group to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1524 redraws Mississippi's four congressional districts based on 2022 county boundaries and 2020 Census data. It directly affects all Mississippi voters by defining which district they reside in for federal elections, determining their representative in Congress. The bill specifies exact county and precinct boundaries for each district, using the 2020 Census redistricting data as the geographic foundation. This is a procedural redistricting bill focused solely on defining district lines, not on policy changes affecting residents' rights or services.

Maddy summaryHB 1595 creates a new Commissioner of Education position specifically for Mississippi Delta school districts, to be filled by a retired Delta educator earning $160,000 annually. The commissioner will have authority to establish guidelines aimed at closing achievement gaps, improving student literacy in reading/comprehension, and increasing college/career readiness across Delta schools. Key duties include visiting each district at least three times yearly (with one week's notice), collaborating with school leaders, teachers, parents, and community stakeholders to boost literacy and workforce preparation, effective July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects Mississippi Delta school districts and their students through these targeted educational support mechanisms.

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.