Rep. Noah Sanford

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 52 commends Veterans OutReach for its services to Mississippi veterans residing in state-operated homes in Collins and Kosciusko. The resolution recognizes the organization’s work since 2009 providing spiritual guidance, counseling, essential equipment (like wheelchairs and oxygen concentrators), and social activities - including holiday events and a Christmas gift drive - to veterans who are often elderly, medically indigent, or without family support. This symbolic resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally expresses the Mississippi House’s gratitude for the organization’s volunteer efforts. It directly affects Veterans OutReach as the recipient of this official commendation.

Maddy summaryHB 362 requires money transmitters (like Western Union or similar services) to collect a $5 fee for each international transfer of $500 or less, plus 1% for amounts over $500. It exempts transfers funded through U.S. banks, credit/debit cards, or domestic transfers. Customers who pay the fee can claim a tax credit on their Mississippi income tax return by providing a Social Security or Tax ID number, which the state will verify using data from transmitters. The bill takes effect July 2026 for fee collection and January 2026 for the tax credit, with license suspensions for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Mississippi's 1890 Constitution. It creates a State Suffrage Restoration Panel to allow eligible people convicted of *nonviolent* disenfranchising crimes (like theft or fraud) to apply for restored voting rights through a panel process, rather than requiring a two-thirds legislative vote. The amendment also adds human trafficking, attempted murder, and sexual battery to the list of crimes that permanently disqualify someone from voting. This directly affects Mississippi residents convicted of these specific nonviolent offenses who wish to regain their voting rights. The amendment must be approved by voters in November 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 361 would have made Mississippi's county election commissioner position nonpartisan, prohibiting candidates from campaigning or qualifying based on political party affiliation. The bill required that commissioner candidates' names appear alphabetically without party labels on ballots, grouped separately from partisan races. It amended Mississippi election laws (sections 23-15-213, 23-15-367, and 23-15-511) to implement these changes. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 876 amends Mississippi's justice court rules by maintaining the $5,000 limit for debt or damage claims while updating filing fees. It increases the uniform civil case fee from $45 to $55 (effective July 2027) and raises certain criminal conviction fees, such as the $10 fee for minor violations to $12.50. These changes directly affect individuals filing small claims, seeking expungements, or facing criminal charges processed in justice courts. The bill also preserves existing fees for services like marriage ceremonies ($10) and expungements ($50 maximum). These adjustments aim to align court costs with current economic conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 911, the "Older Mississippians Act," establishes the Mississippi Department of Human Services' Division of Aging and Adult Services as the state's lead agency for aging programs. It replaces previous laws (sections 43-9-1 through 43-9-47) and requires the division to ensure accessible programs and services for older adults (60+), aiming to support their independence, quality of life, and minimize social dependence. Key provisions include designating the division as the "State Unit on Aging" under federal law, setting standards for local area agencies on aging, and granting authority to revoke an agency's designation if it fails to meet requirements. The bill directly affects Mississippi's older adult population and the state agencies delivering senior services.

Maddy summaryHB 843 requires sex offenders in Mississippi to register directly with their local county sheriff (in addition to existing state-level requirements) when moving, changing residence, or updating registration details. It mandates that offenders provide specific information to the sheriff within a set timeframe, including current addresses, employment details, vehicle identification, online usernames, and other personal data. This applies to anyone convicted of a sex offense who lives, works, or attends school in Mississippi. The bill updates existing registration procedures to make county sheriffs the primary point of contact for these updates, streamlining local notification. It does not change the list of offenses requiring registration or the core registration timeline.

Maddy summaryHB 1074, the Mississippi Long-Term Care Ombudsman Act, creates a state ombudsman program within the Mississippi Department of Human Services to address concerns in long-term care facilities. It directly affects residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and similar care settings by establishing a system for filing and investigating complaints about facility conditions, safety, or rights violations. Key provisions require facilities to inform residents about the program, mandate confidential complaint procedures with anti-retaliation protections, and assign local representatives to conduct facility visits and resolve issues. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and would have replaced Mississippi’s previous Long-Term Care Facilities Ombudsman Act.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 (Mississippi) allows political party executive committees to disqualify candidates who do not meet the committee's specific qualifications. If a candidate is disqualified solely for not meeting the party's requirements, they would automatically appear on the ballot as an independent candidate. The bill requires ballots to include these automatically placed independent candidates and amends election code sections to implement this process. This is a procedural change affecting candidate eligibility and ballot access for party-affiliated candidates in Mississippi.

Maddy summaryHB 1239 would create an alternative Mississippi state ID card without a photograph requirement for residents with sincerely held religious beliefs prohibiting photography. It would allow these individuals to provide standard identification documents (like a birth certificate) instead of a photo, while maintaining compliance with federal Real ID Act standards. The exemption would apply specifically to the state ID card system, not driver's licenses. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and was not enacted.