Rep. Grace Butler-Washington

Maddy summaryHB 1201 creates a 25% income tax credit for developers who rehabilitate blighted, tax-forfeited properties in Mississippi, requiring costs to exceed $50,000 for owner-occupied homes or $100,000 for commercial buildings. The credit applies to eligible properties declared unsafe by local authorities and placed into use as residences or businesses within 36 months. Developers can carry forward unused credit amounts for up to 10 years if the credit exceeds their annual tax liability, or opt for a 75% rebate instead. This law directly affects developers who redevelop qualifying properties, aiming to increase property values and community safety through tax incentives.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HC 21) is a symbolic resolution recognizing and celebrating "Mississippi Juneteenth Homecoming Weekend 2025." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges the event through a concurrent resolution by the Mississippi legislature. The resolution cites Juneteenth's significance, the economic benefits of attracting Mississippi diaspora back to the state, and cultural tourism opportunities. The bill died in committee on April 3, 2025, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1976 restores voting rights to Jay Jackson of Hinds County, Mississippi, who lost his right to vote after a 2011 robbery conviction. The bill states Jackson completed his probation in 2016 and has since been a law-abiding citizen. It directly applies to Jackson as an individual, not to broader voting policies. The legislation was referred to committee but did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 4001 is a procedural bill that specifically restores voting rights to Leporion Versell of Hinds County, Mississippi. It directly affects only this individual, who was disqualified from voting after a 1999 robbery conviction (resulting in a 5-year sentence) and subsequent probation violations. The bill states he has been law-abiding since his 2005 release and was released from custody on July 25, 2005. The legislation passed through committee referral but died in committee on April 3, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1977 restores voting rights to Jose Williams of Hinds County, Mississippi, who was disqualified after a 1991 conviction for grand larceny (resulting in a 6-month sentence and 5-year probation). The bill states Williams was released on parole in 1991 and has since been a law-abiding citizen. This is a one-time restoration for an individual, not a change to general voting laws. The bill passed the House in March 2025 but died in a Senate committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1981 is a specific restoration bill that reinstates voting rights for Omar Travis of Hinds County, Mississippi, who lost suffrage eligibility due to past felony convictions (burglary, receiving stolen property). The bill states Travis completed all sentences and probation by 2021, has been law-abiding since, and the legislature confirms his rehabilitation. As a personal restoration measure (not a general policy change), it directly affects only Travis, restoring his right to vote in Mississippi elections. The bill passed the House in March 2025 but died in a Senate committee.

Maddy summaryHB 1197, the "Safe Solicitation Act," requires anyone soliciting money or goods in public spaces (like streets or sidewalks) to obtain a permit from their local municipality, county, or political subdivision. It limits solicitation to daylight hours, prohibits blocking traffic, restricts activities to within 100 feet of an approved intersection, and bans harassment or amplification devices. Violations can result in fines up to $300 or jail time for forgery, while permits cost no more than $25. The law amends existing traffic obstruction statutes to align with these requirements and allows local governments to opt out within six months of enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 658 requires Mississippi's Department of Corrections to provide specific protective equipment - such as face masks, gloves, and eye protection - to state inmates assigned to work involving raw cleaning chemicals. This applies directly to inmates working in correctional facility maintenance, public service programs, cemetery restoration, or other designated assignments where they handle chemicals like acids, alkalies, or surfactants. The bill amends multiple sections of state law to mandate this safety provision, ensuring inmates receive necessary gear when using hazardous cleaning agents. It does not alter inmate eligibility for work programs but adds a clear safety requirement for specific job assignments.

Maddy summaryHB 642 authorizes Alcorn State University to build prefabricated (factory-built) structures on its campus, directly affecting the university and its campus development. The bill requires all such buildings to meet Mississippi’s building codes, safety standards, and campus aesthetic guidelines, and mandates approval from the Board of Trustees and the Department of Finance and Administration before construction. Funding can come from state appropriations, federal grants, or private donations, with the university required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing construction costs and benefits. This bill does not change existing laws broadly but adds specific oversight and reporting requirements for Alcorn’s prefab building projects.

Maddy summaryHB 927 establishes a state licensing system for professional midwives in Mississippi, requiring them to obtain a license from the newly created State Board of Licensed Midwifery. The bill mandates that health insurance plans covering maternity must also cover and reimburse services provided by licensed midwives, while prohibiting discriminatory language against midwifery in insurance policies. It exempts certified nurse midwives and physicians from licensing requirements and clarifies that midwifery is not considered the practice of medicine. The law sets standards for midwifery practice, including scope of care and confidentiality rules, and creates a regulatory framework for oversight and enforcement.