Rep. Lawrence Blackmon

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 744 amends Mississippi's capital murder statute to include deaths resulting from domestic violence as a capital offense. Specifically, it adds "domestic violence as provided in Section 97-3-7" to the list of crimes (alongside rape, burglary, and robbery) that trigger capital murder charges if a death occurs during the commission of the crime. This change means individuals who cause a death while committing domestic violence (as legally defined) would face capital murder charges instead of lesser murder charges. The bill does not alter Mississippi's definition of domestic violence but explicitly expands the circumstances under which a killing qualifies as capital murder. It will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 743 allows Mississippi's Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enter contracts with towns to provide security using Capitol Improvement District (CCID) officers during specific periods. It directly affects municipalities that choose to contract with DPS for security services on their properties. The bill amends existing law to authorize these contracts, enabling DPS to deploy CCID officers (state security personnel) for patrols and responding to alarms rather than stationing officers permanently. This expands DPS's existing security contracting authority beyond state buildings to include town properties. The bill does not create new officers or mandate contracts - towns must voluntarily enter agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 1399 requires Mississippi district attorneys to be removed from office by the governor if they are indicted for a crime related to their position or a "crime of moral turpitude." It also mandates that if the charges are dropped, the attorney is acquitted, or they are not convicted, they receive full compensation for the remainder of their term. The bill clarifies that removal does not create a presumption of guilt for the underlying crime. It references existing laws (Mississippi Code sections 23-15-833, 23-15-843, and 25-5-1-25-5-37) regarding special elections and vacancy procedures for district attorney roles.