This 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.
This bill authorizes Lee County's Board of Supervisors to decide whether the county sheriff's department can use radar speed detection devices in school zones. If the board approves by a unanimous vote, they will establish rules for how the sheriff's department can use these radar units on county roads outside city limits when schools are in session. The law defines school zones as roadways near or along school buildings and grounds where school activities take place. This legislation gives local officials the power to regulate speed enforcement in areas where student safety is a concern.
This bill authorizes Clay County, Mississippi, to purchase radar speed detection equipment for use by the sheriff's department. The legislation allows county officials to spend available funds on this equipment to help enforce speed limits on public roads and state highways outside city limits. If approved, the sheriff and deputies would be permitted to operate the radar devices to monitor vehicle speeds, provided the equipment is properly certified and calibrated according to state law. The bill requires that any radar technology used must meet training standards and evidentiary requirements to ensure its use in legal proceedings.
This bill extends the expiration of a repealer that previously allowed the City of Richland, Mississippi, to impose a tourism tax on bars and restaurants. The legislation authorizes the city to levy a tax of up to two percent on gross sales from bars and on the sale of food and alcoholic beverages at restaurants within city limits. Revenue collected from this tax would be dedicated to funding tourism promotion, parks, recreation, and repaying debt related to a community center construction project. Before the tax can be implemented, city officials must hold a public referendum where residents vote on whether to approve the levy. The bill also requires separate accounting for tax funds and annual audits by an independent accountant to ensure transparency.
This bill restores the right to vote to Vedo Kyles of Yazoo County, Mississippi, who was previously disqualified from voting due to criminal convictions from 1995. The legislation states that Kyles has maintained good conduct as a law-abiding citizen since his release from prison in 1997 and discharge in 2000. If passed, this act removes the voting restrictions that were applied to him as a result of his past criminal sentences. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage by the legislature.
This bill restores the right to vote to Jerome Wyatt of Jones County, Mississippi, who had previously lost his voting rights due to a conviction for embezzlement. The legislation states that Wyatt completed his five-year probation sentence in 2023 and has since maintained good conduct as a law-abiding citizen. Upon passage, the act immediately reinstates his eligibility to participate in elections without requiring additional legal proceedings. This measure directly affects only the individual named in the bill and does not change Mississippi's broader voting laws or eligibility criteria for other citizens.
This bill authorizes the City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to enter into a long-term lease agreement for city-owned property. The lease term can last up to 30 years, giving the city flexibility to manage its assets through extended leasing arrangements. The legislation applies specifically to the city's governing authorities, who will have the discretion to negotiate and finalize lease terms. Once passed, the bill takes effect immediately, allowing the city to proceed with leasing decisions without further legislative approval for each individual lease.
This bill extends the expiration date for the Hattiesburg Tourism Commission and its associated hotel/motel tax from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2031. The legislation affects the City of Hattiesburg by maintaining a seven-member commission that will be appointed by the mayor and ratified by the city council, including representatives from the hotel industry, chamber of commerce, university, and at-large members. The commission will have authority to promote tourism and can levy a tax of up to 2% on gross overnight room rentals at hotels and motels with more than ten rooms. Collected tax funds will be used to support tourism promotion efforts, with 3% retained by the state for collection costs and the remainder dedicated to the city's tourism commission.
This bill extends the expiration date of a 3% hotel and motel tourism tax in the City of Richland, Mississippi, from its original end date to July 1, 2030. The tax applies to room rentals at hotels and motels within city limits and is collected by the state Department of Revenue, with proceeds designated for tourism promotion and parks and recreation. Before the tax can be imposed, city officials must hold a public election where at least 60% of voters must approve the levy. The bill also establishes separate accounting for tax revenues, requires annual audits, and allows the city to use tax proceeds to repay debt or discontinue the tax through a future resolution.
This bill restores a special sales tax in the City of Tupelo to help fund the Northeast Mississippi Regional Water Supply District. The tax revenue will be used to pay off existing debt and cover costs for building water facilities, including the Wellspring industrial development project. The City of Tupelo is authorized to issue up to $53 million in bonds to finance construction, with the sales tax proceeds helping to service that debt. The project aims to address water shortages in the region by providing water for municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
This 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.
This Mississippi bill authorizes the Prentiss County Board of Supervisors to collect additional fees from court convictions to fund repairs and renovations of the historic Prentiss County Courthouse. The assessment would charge up to $25 for most convictions and up to $50 for driving under the influence cases, excluding DUI charges from the lower fee tier. Funds collected must be used specifically for courthouse maintenance, and the provision would expire on July 1, 2030. The bill applies only to convictions processed in Prentiss County's Justice, County, and Circuit Courts.
