Sen. Rod Hickman

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Gerald Laird, a resident of Jefferson Davis County who had previously been disenfranchised due to a 2003 robbery conviction. The legislation formally recognizes that Laird completed his sentence and probation by May 2009 and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen, meeting the state's requirements for voting rights restoration. Once enacted, the act immediately grants Laird full suffrage without additional conditions or waiting periods. This measure directly affects only the individual named in the bill and does not change Mississippi's general voting laws for other citizens.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Frankie O'Neal Ward, Jr., a resident of Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, who was previously disqualified from voting due to a criminal conviction. The legislation specifically addresses his 2002 conviction for armed robbery and grand larceny, noting that he completed all terms of his sentence and probation by 2016. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026, and does not alter any broader voting laws or eligibility criteria for other individuals.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Joseph Jones of Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, who was previously disqualified from voting in 2002 due to felony convictions for armed robbery and grand larceny. The legislation formally recognizes that Jones completed all terms of his prison sentence and probation on May 1, 2012, and has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. By restoring his suffrage, the bill removes the voting restriction that resulted from his past criminal convictions, allowing him to participate in elections. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies specifically to this individual rather than changing voting laws for the general population.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores voting rights to Ray Gillespie, a resident of Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, who had previously been barred from voting due to a conviction for armed robbery. The legislation declares that the Mississippi Department of Corrections has no records of Gillespie and notes that he has since lived as a law-abiding citizen. If passed, the law would take effect on July 1, 2026, allowing Gillespie to participate in elections again.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a concurrent resolution that formally honors Carroll E. Rhodes for his lifetime of service to civil rights and constitutional principles in Mississippi. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as an official legislative commendation recognizing Rhodes' career in legal advocacy and his contributions to voting rights and democratic participation. The resolution expresses the Mississippi Legislature's gratitude and admiration for Rhodes' work and intends to present the document to him as a symbol of respect.

Maddy summarySB 3231 would allow Noxubee County to impose a 2% tax on short-term hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast room rentals (excluding stays of 30+ days) to fund tourism promotion and parks/recreation projects. The tax requires a public election where 60% of voters must approve it before implementation. Revenue must be dedicated solely to tourism and parks, tracked separately from general county funds, and audited annually. The tax would expire on July 1, 2030.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a substantive bill), expressing the Mississippi Legislature's condolences to Reverend Jesse Jackson's family following his death. It honors his legacy as a civil rights leader, including his work with the NAACP, voting rights advocacy, and mentorship of Black elected officials in Mississippi. The resolution contains no policy changes or mechanisms - it solely offers symbolic sympathy through formal language. It was introduced by multiple senators and references statements from figures like President Trump, Rep. Bennie Thompson, and Jackson Mayor John Horhn.

Maddy summarySB 2632 is a procedural bill that reorganizes existing sections of Mississippi's Emergency Management Law (Mississippi Code of 1972) by moving specific code sections (33-15-1 through 33-15-53) to new positions in the code. It does not change the content or policy of these sections, which cover definitions, purposes, and structure of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The bill’s sole purpose is to facilitate future amendments by updating the code’s numbering. This reorganization affects the legal code itself, not individuals or entities, and requires no action from the public or agencies.

Maddy summarySB 3051 allocates $86.8 million in state funds for Mississippi's Department of Finance and Administration to cover operations during fiscal year 2027 (July 2026-June 2027). It specifically sets $25.98 million for "Personal Services" (salaries, wages, and benefits), requiring the department to stay within this budget when annualizing personnel costs and using vacancy funds *only* to fill open positions - not for raises or promotions. The bill mandates strict compliance with the State Personnel Board’s Variable Compensation Plan and prohibits exceeding the allocated funds without legislative approval for new positions or programs. This funding mechanism directly affects state employees and department budgeting practices, ensuring salary spending aligns with fiscal constraints.

Maddy summaryThis bill restores the right to vote to Melvin Jackson of Monroe County, Mississippi, who was previously disqualified from voting in 2001 due to a conviction for false pretenses. The legislation formally recognizes that Jackson has completed all terms of his three-year probation sentence and has maintained good conduct as a law-abiding citizen. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies specifically to this individual without establishing broader voting restoration procedures.