Rep. Robert Johnson

Maddy summarySB 2348 (Mississippi) would have allowed county and municipal executive committees to formally transfer all their election duties to the circuit clerk or election commission through a written agreement. This would directly affect county/municipal election officials, as it would shift responsibilities like poll manager training and election administration from committees to clerks or commissions. The bill required that if a committee chose to delegate all duties, the clerk or commission must enter the agreement, with both parties signing it and notifying state authorities. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 125 requires Mississippi's Department of Human Services to transfer 30% of the state's annual Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant funds to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). This transfer would fund child care vouchers for qualifying families participating in the Child Care Payment Program (CCPP), directly supporting parents who need affordable child care while working or in job training. The bill amends Mississippi Code Section 43-17-5 to mandate this specific allocation, redirecting a portion of TANF funds toward child care assistance rather than other TANF uses. It does not alter existing TANF eligibility rules but changes how funds are distributed within the state budget.

Maddy summarySB 2040 would create an online system for visitors to apply to see inmates in Mississippi correctional facilities. It requires applicants 12 and older to complete an online form (in English or Spanish), with the Department of Corrections able to request criminal background checks to verify suitability. Visitors 16 and older must present photo ID at the facility, and visits must be scheduled weekly online between Monday and Wednesday - replacing current phone or paper-based scheduling. Providing false information on the application would be a crime, punishable by fines up to $250,000 or up to five years in prison.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish a state minimum wage of $10.00 per hour for most Mississippi workers, requiring employers to pay tipped employees at least $3.62 per hour (with tips making up the difference to reach $10.00). It mandates overtime pay at 1.5x the regular rate for workers earning $684 or less weekly, including manual laborers, first responders, and many other frontline workers who would no longer be exempt. The bill also prohibits local cities or counties from setting their own minimum wage or paid leave requirements, centralizing these decisions at the state level. It does not apply to certain exempt roles like high-level managers or specialized professionals.

Maddy summaryHB 105 establishes the "Career Pathways Initiative," requiring Mississippi's Department of Employment Security, higher education boards, and workforce agencies to jointly develop a plan. It directly targets low-income parents and other individuals with family income below 250% of the federal poverty level (especially those with custody of children under 21) to access training for higher-paying local jobs. Key provisions include developing programs based on employer-identified skills, using performance incentives for enrollment, course completion, job placement, and retention, and funding through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds combined with other resources. The initiative mandates contracting with community colleges and local providers to deliver job training certificates or degrees for low-income adults.

Maddy summaryHB 121 increases Mississippi's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefit caps to $400 monthly for the first family member, $72 for the second, and $48 for each additional member. This directly affects low-income families with dependent children who qualify for TANF assistance under existing eligibility rules. The bill amends Section 43-17-5 of Mississippi law to raise these maximum benefit amounts without changing other TANF requirements or eligibility criteria. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 2540 reorganizes existing Mississippi hemp regulations by consolidating related code sections into a single, cohesive "Mississippi Hemp Cultivation Act." It defines key terms (like hemp as cannabis with ≤0.3% THC), requires growers to obtain licenses and processors to register with the Department of Agriculture, and mandates background checks for all operators. The bill establishes rules for transporting hemp (requiring license numbers and detailed manifests), creates a special fund for administration, and ensures state regulations align with federal USDA guidelines. This reorganization affects hemp farmers, processors, and distributors by clarifying the regulatory framework without changing core requirements like the THC limit. The bill died in committee and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 130 creates the Mississippi Medicaid Commission to replace the current Division of Medicaid as the state's administrator of the Medicaid program. The Commission will consist of seven members (four appointed by the Governor, three by the Lieutenant Governor) with specific qualifications to avoid conflicts of interest. It transfers all responsibilities, staff, property, and duties from the abolished Division of Medicaid to the new Commission, which will appoint a full-time Executive Director to manage operations. The bill restructures administrative oversight without changing Medicaid eligibility or benefit rules.

Maddy summarySB 2353 would require mineral rights separated from surface ownership after January 1, 2025, to automatically return to the surface owner if minerals are not drilled or produced for ten consecutive years. It defines "nonproduction" as wells not located on specific land areas (e.g., oil wells not on standard quarter-quarter sections, gas wells not in designated half-sections). The ten-year period restarts if drilling or production occurs, but must allow a minimum 180-day buffer if interrupted near expiration. This bill directly affects surface landowners and mineral rights holders in Mississippi, aiming to clarify ownership after prolonged inactivity. (Note: The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.)

Maddy summaryHB 131 changes Mississippi's habitual offender law by allowing repeat offenders to become eligible for parole after serving 10 years of a sentence of 40 years or longer. It directly affects individuals convicted of multiple felonies who are classified as habitual offenders under current law. The bill amends existing statutes to replace the previous rule (which effectively barred parole for such offenders) with this 10-year minimum service requirement for parole consideration. This change applies specifically to habitual offenders serving long sentences but does not alter other parole restrictions for violent crimes, sex offenses, or other categories listed in the law.