Rep. Timaka James-Jones

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commending Jamal Roberts, a Meridian, Mississippi native, for winning the 23rd season of *American Idol*. It formally congratulates him as the second Mississippian and second African-American male to win the competition, highlighting his musical achievements and roots. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' praise and will be sent to Roberts and the press. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 665 would allow individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies to legally possess and use firearms or specified knives (like bowie knives or switchblades) solely for defending their residence. It directly affects people with nonviolent felony convictions who currently face firearm restrictions under Mississippi law. The bill requires applicants to prove they reside in the home where the weapon is kept, and it would override existing prohibitions for this specific home-defense use. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and would have taken effect July 1, 2026, if passed.

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 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 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 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 summaryMississippi's HB 793 automatically restores voting rights for individuals convicted of vote fraud or specific crimes listed in the state constitution (Section 241) or interpreted as disenfranchising by past Attorney General opinions, once they complete all sentencing requirements like fines or probation. The bill amends multiple election laws to ensure voting rights are restored without requiring additional steps or applications after sentence completion. This directly affects people with prior convictions for these offenses who otherwise meet voter eligibility criteria (e.g., citizenship, residency). The change applies to all convictions, including those from prior court rulings, and updates systems that track voter eligibility. The bill does not alter the initial suspension of voting rights upon conviction.

Maddy summaryHB 789 automatically restores voting and jury duty rights for Mississippi residents convicted of specific offenses once they complete all sentencing requirements. It affects people convicted of vote fraud, crimes listed in Section 241 of the Mississippi Constitution, or other crimes deemed disenfranchising under Attorney General opinions. The bill amends election laws (Section 23-15-11) to automatically reinstate voting rights and updates jury duty rules (Section 13-5-1) to automatically return names to jury master lists upon sentence completion. This eliminates the need for separate applications or manual reinstatement processes. The policy change applies only to those who have fully satisfied court-ordered sentences.

Maddy summaryHB 808 increases the minimum salary for Mississippi public school teachers and assistant teachers by $7,500 annually, effective for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. It also mandates a $7,500 salary increase for full-time professors and instructors at state colleges and universities. School districts must maintain local pay supplements and cannot pay assistant teachers below the new state minimum, with funding penalties for non-compliance. The bill directly affects public school teachers, assistant teachers, and higher education faculty in Mississippi.