Rep. Noah Sanford

Maddy summaryHB 1324 would create a new criminal offense called "aggravated manslaughter" in Mississippi. It defines this crime as intentional but non-malicious killing in two specific situations: when the victim is a vulnerable adult (over 65 or with disabilities) or when the perpetrator has a prior violent crime conviction. If passed, this would increase penalties to 10-30 years in prison, replacing standard manslaughter sentencing (up to 20 years). The bill died in committee and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1574 requires community colleges in Mississippi to establish formal partnerships with 4-year colleges or universities offering approved teacher education programs. These partnerships must create streamlined pathways for students to transfer credits toward a teaching bachelor's degree, reducing both time and cost. The bill specifically aims to address teacher shortages in critical areas by ensuring community college students can smoothly transition to bachelor's programs without losing credits. It mandates that partnerships be documented in a written Memorandum of Understanding between institutions. The bill was introduced to create a more affordable and efficient route to teacher certification but died in committee in February 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1661 would create a State Suffrage Restoration Panel to provide an alternative process for people convicted of specific crimes (like vote fraud or certain felonies) to regain voting rights. Eligible individuals must have completed 5+ years of release without new convictions, paid all fines, and had no pending charges. The panel would review applications and issue a "Certificate of Eligibility," allowing voters to register under amended election laws. Correctional facilities would also be required to post information about this process.

Maddy summaryHB 422 allows Mississippi school districts facing critical teacher shortages to compensate licensed "expert citizen teachers" (professionals with relevant work experience) by crediting 3/4 of a year of teaching experience for each year of their professional expertise. This credit aligns their experience with standard salary steps for permanent teachers, directly affecting districts in shortage areas and licensed professionals (e.g., engineers, healthcare workers) hired as teachers. The bill amends existing teacher compensation rules to recognize non-education career experience toward salary progression. It does not change base pay rates but provides a mechanism to advance these educators' pay based on their professional background.

Maddy summaryHB 293 moves Mississippi's congressional primaries from the first Tuesday in June to the second Tuesday in March in years without a presidential election. This affects candidates running for U.S. House seats in Mississippi during non-presidential election cycles. The bill amends Mississippi Code Sections 23-15-1031 (primary timing) and 23-15-299 (qualification deadlines) to align these dates. The change streamlines election scheduling without altering voter eligibility or campaign rules.

Maddy summaryHB 1200, the "Real Property Owners Protection Act," creates a legal framework for property owners to quickly remove unauthorized occupants (defined as "squatters") who remain on property without the owner's consent after being asked to leave. The bill requires owners or their agents to file a sworn affidavit with local law enforcement, triggering a 24-hour deadline for the alleged squatter to vacate or request a hearing. If contested, a hearing must occur within seven days to determine if the occupant is a squatter, using a "preponderance of evidence" standard. The law also clarifies that owners (or their designated agents) exclusively control property rights, rental income, and eviction processes, while imposing penalties for false complaints and specifying procedures for handling abandoned property.

Maddy summaryHB 1950 is a one-time bill restoring voting rights to Omar Eugene Magee of Covington County, Mississippi, who lost suffrage due to past convictions (grand larceny in 1978, burglary in 1985, and drug delivery in 1999). It specifically states he completed all sentences by 2008 and has been a law-abiding citizen since. The bill was passed by the House but died in committee without becoming law. This is a personal restoration, not a change to general voting laws.

Maddy summaryHB 1943 would restore voting rights to Jared Scott Drennan of Covington County, Mississippi, who lost his suffrage in 2007 due to a Grand Larceny conviction and later received additional felony sentences for drug possession and firearm charges (both completed by 2022). The bill states he has been law-abiding since his release on parole in January 2022. This is a one-time restoration for a specific individual, not a change to voting rights laws affecting broader groups. The bill passed the House but died in committee without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1942 restores voting rights to Elaine Goudy of Covington County, Mississippi, after she completed her 2004 sentence for arson and drug convictions in 1997. The bill specifically addresses her case, noting she has been law-abiding since her release. It does not change general voting laws but directly restores suffrage for this individual. The bill passed the House in March 2025 but died in the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 3, 2025. This is a procedural bill focused solely on one person's voting rights, not a broader policy change.

Maddy summaryHB 1941 restores voting rights to Christopher Preston of Covington County, Mississippi, who was disqualified in 1995 after serving sentences for burglary and forgery. The bill specifically reverses his disqualification, noting he completed his sentences (five years for burglary, three for forgery, served concurrently) and has been law-abiding since his 2000 release. This is a one-time restoration for a specific individual, not a new policy affecting broader groups. The bill passed the House but died in committee before becoming law.