Sen. Brice Wiggins

Maddy summarySB 2339 makes it unlawful for individuals subject to certain domestic restraining orders (with specific findings of risk) or convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence to possess firearms or ammunition. The bill requires courts to explicitly find that firearm retention poses a safety risk to the petitioner, children, or vulnerable persons before ordering removal. It mandates that court clerks enter firearm removal orders into Mississippi's protection order registry within 12 hours and deliver copies to law enforcement via electronic or hand-delivery methods. Violations carry penalties of up to $10,000 fines or 2-10 years in prison.

Maddy summaryThis bill reorganizes three existing Mississippi laws (sections 21-1-59, 27-31-1, and 57-75-5 of the Mississippi Code) to make them easier to locate and reference, without changing their substance. It brings forward provisions about municipal boundary changes affecting state institutions and school districts, and tax exemptions for cemeteries, government property, and religious entities. The bill does not create new policies or requirements but consolidates existing legal language. This is a procedural update for legislative clarity, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 21) formally commends the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College men's golf team for winning their second consecutive NJCAA Division II national championship. It specifically highlights their record-breaking season, including three national titles, 10 tournament wins, and multiple individual awards for players and coach Brad Thornton. The resolution also recognizes the team's academic achievements, including NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Honorable Mention. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves only to express legislative praise and will be presented to college leadership.

Maddy summarySB 2013 reinstates Mississippi's State Grand Jury Act, which expired in 2024, and expands its authority to investigate officer-involved shootings, specific embezzlement/fraud cases, and public corruption (pending a constitutional amendment). It removes the requirement that crimes must span multiple court districts, allows the Attorney General to notify the panel judge directly instead of petitioning them, and mandates the judge to form a jury within 30 days. The bill also requires local officials and law enforcement to cooperate in providing grand jury accommodations and updates procedural rules for jury operations. These changes apply to the state grand jury system, directly affecting prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement agencies conducting major investigations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SC 502) proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Mississippi's state grand jury jurisdiction. It would allow the grand jury to investigate and return indictments for specific crimes - including narcotics violations, officer-involved shootings, and public corruption (like embezzlement and fraud) - regardless of where the crime occurred in the state. The amendment removes the current requirement that such crimes must involve more than one county or have significance across multiple counties. The proposal is now dead in committee and would require voter approval in 2026 if passed.

Maddy summarySB 2024 proposes to establish a statewide uniform youth court system in Mississippi by standardizing existing youth court procedures across all counties. It consolidates and updates multiple sections of the Mississippi Code related to youth court organization, jurisdiction, definitions (like "delinquent child" or "neglected child"), and administrative processes. This would directly affect youth under 18 involved in court cases, ensuring consistent handling of their cases statewide. The bill focuses on creating uniform standards for youth courts rather than introducing new policies or penalties. (Note: The bill died in committee and did not become law.)

Maddy summarySB 2029 proposes to amend Mississippi's divorce law by removing the "willful and obstinate" requirement for desertion (the fourth ground for divorce) and adding a new no-fault ground: divorce may be granted when a court finds a marriage is "irretrievably broken" and further reconciliation attempts are impractical or not in the best interests of the parties or family. This change would allow individuals seeking divorce to avoid proving specific fault (like desertion or adultery) and instead focus on the marriage's fundamental breakdown. The bill directly affects anyone in Mississippi pursuing divorce who can demonstrate the marriage cannot be saved, shifting the legal standard toward mutual agreement on irreconcilable differences. The proposal was introduced but died in committee in February 2026 and was never enacted.

Maddy summarySB 2119 updates Mississippi's Uniform Commercial Code to adopt 2018 and 2022 national amendments recommended by the Uniform Law Commission. It clarifies definitions for digital transactions (like "electronic money" and "hybrid transactions") and revises rules for commercial contracts, electronic records, and financial instruments. The bill directly affects businesses, banks, and financial institutions in Mississippi that handle digital payments, electronic contracts, or commercial records. These changes modernize Mississippi's commercial law to better align with current digital commerce practices without creating new financial obligations.

Maddy summarySB 2381, the "Uniform Public Expression Act," creates a legal process to quickly dismiss lawsuits targeting protected speech in Mississippi. It applies to civil cases where someone is sued for communicating on public issues in government proceedings or exercising free speech, press, assembly, or association rights under state or federal constitutions. The bill allows defendants to file a special motion to dismiss the lawsuit within 60 days, automatically staying all other court proceedings until the motion is decided. It does not cover government employees acting officially, lawsuits enforcing public health/safety laws, or commercial speech disputes.

Maddy summarySB 2482 would terminate Mississippi's State-Invested Pre-K (SIP) Program on July 1, 2026, and transfer all its funding and participants to the existing Early Learning Collaborative Program. The bill requires automatic enrollment of all current SIP participants into the Early Learning Collaborative Program without new applications. This program, established by the 2013 Early Learning Collaborative Act, coordinates prekindergarten services through local partnerships of public schools, child care centers, and other providers. The change consolidates SIP operations under the collaborative framework to ensure continuity for participating children and providers.