Rep. Oscar Denton

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes existing Mississippi Code sections related to crimes involving public funds, moving provisions to new locations in the code without changing their substance. It brings forward sections that currently require a minimum one-year prison term for misappropriating $10,000+ in public funds (Section 99-19-18) and define "public official" while criminalizing bribery involving public contracts or funds (Section 97-11-53). The bill makes only minor, nonsubstantive changes to code references and does not alter penalties, definitions, or legal requirements. It affects public officials, contractors, and entities handling public funds, but no new policies or enforcement mechanisms are created.

Maddy summaryHB 489 would suspend retirement benefits for Mississippi elected officials convicted of felonies involving misuse of public funds (e.g., stealing or misusing government money), effective July 1, 2025. It applies to active or retired officials who commit such crimes during their service, requiring full repayment of misused funds before benefits resume. Benefits are suspended only after all appeals are resolved and the Attorney General confirms the conviction is final. The suspension affects only the retirement system covering the official’s elected office service, not other retirement plans they may hold.

Maddy summaryHB 490 requires Mississippi elected officials convicted of felonies involving misuse of public funds to repay misappropriated money through monthly deductions from their retirement benefits. It applies to members of the Public Employees' Retirement System or Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan who are convicted of felonies where public funds were unlawfully taken, obtained, or misused in their official capacity after July 1, 2025. The court must hold a hearing to confirm the conviction is final (after all appeals), then order retirement benefits withheld until the full amount is repaid within three years. The withheld funds are sent monthly to the Attorney General, who distributes them to the affected government body.

Maddy summaryHB 687 establishes a scholarship program for spouses and children of Mississippi first responders (including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel) who were killed or permanently disabled while on duty. The bill provides up to eight semesters of tuition-free education at any Mississippi state college or university, excluding books and fees, contingent on maintaining a 2.5 GPA and satisfactory academic progress. Eligibility excludes self-inflicted injuries or deaths, and children must not turn 23 during a semester to qualify. The bill, which died in committee in February 2025, would have taken effect July 1, 2025, if passed.

Maddy summaryHB 486 removes the civil statute of limitations for victims of specific childhood abuse crimes in Mississippi. It directly affects individuals who experienced felonious abuse, sexual battery, exploitation, or trafficking as minors, allowing them to file civil lawsuits at any time - without the previous 21-year limit - regardless of when the abuse occurred. The bill amends Mississippi Code § 15-1-59 to explicitly state that time limits do not apply to these cases when the victim was a minor or under disability. This change applies to crimes listed in sections like 97-5-39 (abuse), 97-5-23 (lustful touching), 97-3-95 (sexual battery), and trafficking laws (97-3-54.1-54.3). The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 483 shortens the residency requirement for candidates running for local offices in Mississippi from two years to one year. It affects anyone seeking municipal, county, or county district positions statewide, except in municipalities with fewer than 1,000 residents (based on the latest federal census). The bill amends Mississippi Code Sections 23-15-300 and 21-8-7 to update these rules and aligns the requirements for council members with the new one-year standard. This change makes it easier for residents to qualify for local office by reducing the time they must live in the area before running.

Maddy summaryHB 495 prohibits the sale or transfer of assault weapons to anyone under 21 years old, with an exception for active-duty U.S. military members. The bill defines "assault weapon" to include specific semiautomatic firearms with features like detachable magazines, folding stocks, or certain barrel lengths. This law updates Mississippi’s firearm regulations to implement the age restriction and aligns related provisions on local ordinances and concealed carry licensing.

Maddy summaryHB 491 revises Mississippi's sales tax collection process for public employees and officers by removing a rule that withheld salary until unpaid sales tax was paid. Instead, the Department of Revenue can now pursue standard tax collection remedies, including garnishing up to 25% of an employee's salary or the outstanding tax debt, whichever is smaller. This change directly affects state and local government workers who fail to pay required sales tax. The bill also updates related laws to align with these new collection procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 492 would amend Mississippi law to authorize chancery courts to issue temporary domestic violence protection orders, which they were not previously permitted to do under existing statutes. This change would allow victims of domestic abuse to seek immediate protective orders from chancery courts, expanding current options that previously included only municipal, county, and justice courts. Temporary orders issued under this bill would typically last up to 30 days, but could extend to one year if no minor children are involved. The bill also updates related legal sections to align with this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Mississippi's constitution to adjust the signature requirements for citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. It directly affects individuals or groups gathering signatures to place constitutional initiatives on the ballot. The key change updates Section 273 to require that signatures from any single congressional district cannot exceed the total required signatures divided by the *current* number of congressional districts at the time the petition is filed. This ensures the signature quota per district automatically aligns with the actual number of districts, avoiding outdated calculations from past redistricting.