Rep. Celeste Hurst

Maddy summaryHB 1476, the "Freedom of Speech Protection Act," creates a procedure for quickly dismissing lawsuits that challenge protected speech in government contexts. It allows defendants to file a special motion to dismiss within 60 days of being sued, requiring courts to rule on these motions within 60 days and stay other proceedings during the process. The act applies to speech in legislative, judicial, or governmental proceedings but excludes cases involving government employees acting officially, public health/safety enforcement, or commercial speech about goods/services. If successful, the moving party can recover attorney fees and costs under Section 10. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 1542 creates a new criminal offense called "abortion trafficking" in Mississippi, specifically targeting adults who transport unemancipated minors (under 18, not legally independent) across state lines for abortions with parental consent. The law prohibits recruiting, harboring, or transporting such minors for abortion procedures, imposing felony penalties of 2-5 years in prison or $1,000-$10,000 fines upon conviction. It explicitly states parental consent does not serve as a defense against trafficking charges, and it allows the state attorney general to prosecute if local prosecutors refuse. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and never became law.

Maddy summaryMississippi's HB 1541 would ban the mailing or distribution of abortion-inducing medications within the state, targeting any medicine that causes an abortion prohibited under Mississippi law. It directly affects individuals or entities (like pharmacies or mail-order services) that manufacture, sell, mail, or distribute such medications, or advertise their availability. Violators face fines up to $10,000 and up to five years in prison. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 1708, the Domestic Violence Registry Act, would require Mississippi's Department of Public Safety to create a public online registry listing individuals convicted of domestic violence two or more times. The registry would include names, aliases, birthdates, and photos but exclude sensitive details like Social Security numbers or addresses. Registrants must pay a $150 fee and could be removed after 5-20 years, depending on prior convictions, once fines and restitution are paid. This applies only to domestic violence convictions occurring on or after July 1, 2026, with court clerks required to forward conviction records to the Department.

Maddy summaryHB 1707, the Mississippi False Claims Act, would create a state law prohibiting individuals and businesses from knowingly submitting false or fraudulent claims for payment to Mississippi state agencies or their agents. The bill establishes penalties including three times the state's damages plus $5,000-$10,000 per violation, and allows private citizens ("qui tam plaintiffs") to sue on behalf of the state and share in recovered funds. It requires state agencies to investigate suspected fraud, protects employees who report violations from retaliation, and mandates disclosure of false claims discovered after submission. The bill died in committee during the 2026 legislative session and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 567 would require online political contributions made by credit card to include a verification code (like a CVV) and a U.S. billing address. It directly affects individuals donating online to candidates, political committees, or parties, and requires those groups to keep records of donor names and addresses. The bill also penalizes financial institutions that process such donations without these requirements. However, the bill "died in committee" on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1166 requires Mississippi's Secretary of State to publish post-election audit reports on the state website within 120 days after each general election. The reports must detail findings on election procedures (like ballot handling and equipment testing), identify issues affecting election outcomes or voter disenfranchisement, and include recommendations for improvement. This bill directly affects the Secretary of State's office and county election officials, who must review and comment on reports before publication. The bill was referred to the Apportionment and Elections Committee in January 2026 but died there in February 2026 without becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1549, "Alyssa's Law," requires all public and charter schools in Mississippi to install silent panic alarm systems by the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates that schools provide staff with wearable alert devices to immediately contact law enforcement during emergencies and establish coordination protocols with local police. It also creates a state grant program to help school districts cover costs, requires annual reporting on system use and compliance, and protects school security data from public disclosure under certain conditions. The law directly affects every public and charter school in Mississippi, focusing on enhancing emergency response capabilities through technology and training.

Maddy summaryHB 556 would have prohibited foreign nationals (non-U.S. citizens not lawfully admitted for permanent residence) from contributing money or making expenditures related to Mississippi state or local ballot measures. The bill aimed to prevent foreign influence in local voting by banning such contributions directly or through others, and requiring people to not accept them. It defined "foreign national" using federal standards but excluded U.S. citizens. This bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and never became law.

Maddy summaryHB 1987 increases the maximum bond amount Madison County's Economic Development Authority (MCEDA) can issue for economic development projects from $20 million to $25 million. This directly affects MCEDA's ability to fund infrastructure improvements, industrial parks, and related facilities within Madison County. The key provision simply raises the authorized bond limit under existing law without changing the Authority's structure or other operational rules. The bill does not alter the process for issuing bonds or the types of projects eligible for funding.