Rep. Cedric Burnett

Maddy summaryHB 357 would remove "embezzlement by officers" from Mississippi's list of crimes that cannot be cleared from criminal records, allowing eligible individuals to petition for record clearance. Currently, convictions for this offense remain permanently on public records, but the bill would make them eligible for clearance after meeting standard requirements like paying fines and waiting five years. This change directly affects people convicted of embezzlement committed while serving in official public roles. The bill does not alter expungement rules for other crimes but specifically removes this offense from the non-clearable list.

Maddy summaryHB 298 would allow individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies to possess and use firearms or deadly weapons to defend their own home or owned vehicle, provided they can prove residency or ownership of the property. The bill amends Mississippi law to remove firearm restrictions for this specific group, differing from existing rules that ban firearm possession for most felons. It was referred to committee but died there on February 3, 2026, so it never became law. The proposed effective date was July 1, 2026, but the bill did not advance further.

Maddy summaryHB 320 would allow Tunica County entities (like the Health Care Authority or Board of Supervisors) to apply for a Certificate of Need (CON) to build a new acute care hospital, provided they prove its feasibility. The State Department of Health would be required to issue the CON for this specific project, bypassing standard CON review for new hospital construction in Tunica County. This bill specifically targets hospital development needs in Tunica County and does not affect other healthcare facilities or services. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

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 summaryThis bill authorizes Tunica County's Board of Supervisors to contribute up to $10 million annually from county funds to the Tunica County Economic Development Foundation, Inc., through 2029. It directly affects county taxpayers through potential use of public funds and the foundation through received contributions. The authorization permits these annual contributions without requiring new taxes or budget allocations. The bill specifies only the funding limit ($10 million/year) and duration (through 2029), not how the funds must be used.

Maddy summaryHB 1656, the STRONG Act, would provide tax benefits and health care support for Mississippi National Guard members and their families. It increases income tax exemptions for Guard and Reserve members, creates a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes a program to reimburse National Guard members for Tricare Reserve Select health insurance premiums. The Adjutant General would administer the program and report its progress to the legislature. The bill passed the legislature in February 2025 but died on calendar before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1849 authorizes Mississippi to issue state general obligation bonds to fund railroad track upgrades between Lula and Swan Lake in Coahoma County. The bill specifically directs bond proceeds to cover costs for improving this specific rail segment, directly benefiting Coahoma County and local rail operations. It establishes the legal framework for bond issuance, repayment, and use of funds but does not alter railroad operations or create new regulations. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on authorizing state financial support for infrastructure improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 1905 would have provided $5 million from the state general fund to Coahoma County to cover specific railroad track upgrades between Lula and Swan Lake, including replacing ties, improving crossings, and reinforcing bridges. The funds were intended for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support infrastructure improvements on that rail line. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1830 appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to Tunica County for repaving and repairing traffic lights on Casino Strip Resort Boulevard during fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026). This is a funding bill, not a policy change, directly providing resources for local infrastructure maintenance in Tunica County. The bill died in committee on February 26, 2025, and did not become law. It does not alter any existing laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 750 would allow individuals convicted of nonviolent felonies to legally possess firearms and certain deadly weapons solely for defending their home or motor vehicle. It directly affects nonviolent felony offenders by removing their existing ban on firearm possession, but requires proof they reside at the property or own the vehicle where the weapon is kept. The bill does not change restrictions for violent felons or allow general firearm ownership. This legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and did not become law.