Rep. Gregory Elliott

Maddy summaryHB 1732 authorizes the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration to sell a state-owned property in Lauderdale County (specifically the Highway Safety Patrol's Troop H headquarters and Driver Service Bureau facility at 910 Highway 11/80 in Meridian) to Compass DataCenters JAN I LLC. The bill requires the sale price to be at least the fair market value, determined by two appraisals - one selected by the Department of Public Safety - ensuring the state receives full market value. Compass DataCenters will pay all closing costs associated with the transaction. This bill directly affects the state government (as the seller) and Compass DataCenters (as the buyer), with no broader public impact.

Maddy summaryHB 1402 designates a one-mile segment of Mississippi Highway 537 in Yazoo County as the "Colonel Donnell Berry Memorial Highway" to honor Colonel Donnell Berry. The Mississippi Department of Transportation will install and maintain signage along this highway segment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation with no policy or funding changes.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a policy bill) recognizing Ricky Hood, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of East Mississippi, for his 35+ years of service. It commends his work managing clubs serving over 600 children daily, providing pandemic-era meals, and mentoring youth. The resolution has no policy impact - it solely honors Hood’s community contributions through a formal House of Representatives acknowledgment. No specific policy changes or affected parties are involved beyond the recognition itself.

Maddy summaryHB 788 modifies Mississippi's election rules to allow voters who are not registered in the jurisdiction they are voting in (but are otherwise eligible) to cast an affidavit ballot. This ballot will be used as their official voter registration, adding them to the statewide voter rolls as if they had completed a standard registration form. The bill also allows the affidavit ballot to serve as a written request to transfer voting precincts or wards, and automatically reactivates voters who were placed on inactive status (due to a confirmation notice) after they cast such a ballot. These changes aim to streamline voter registration and address common issues at polling places.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) commending Jamal Roberts, a Meridian, Mississippi native, for winning the 23rd season of *American Idol*. It formally congratulates him as the second Mississippian and second African-American male to win the competition, highlighting his musical achievements and roots. The resolution has no policy impact; it simply expresses the Mississippi House of Representatives' praise and will be sent to Roberts and the press. It does not affect any laws, regulations, or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 308 requires Mississippi drivers to temporarily hand over their physical driver's license to law enforcement officers upon request for inspection while operating a vehicle. If a driver only has an electronic license on their phone, they must display it on screen but are not required to surrender their mobile device. This applies to all drivers in Mississippi who are asked to show their license during a traffic stop or enforcement action. The bill clarifies existing law to standardize how licenses are presented, with no change to penalties for non-compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 354 requires Mississippi law enforcement officers responding to vehicle accidents that block traffic lanes to provide approaching drivers with reasonable notice of the accident and delay. Specifically, officers must give notification within 1,295 feet (one-quarter mile) of the crash site using one of three methods: positioning an officer with activated lights at the required distance, placing visible signage every 500 feet, or activating digital highway signs. The requirement does not apply if officers determine notice is impossible or impractical under the circumstances. The bill, if enacted, would take effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all law enforcement agencies handling such accident scenes.

Maddy summaryHB 742 allows farm and agricultural operations with valid harvest permits to pay their annual highway privilege tax in person at their county tax collector instead of electronically. County tax collectors must accept the payment, provide written proof, and forward funds to the Mississippi Department of Revenue within 30 days, while retaining up to 1% of the tax for administrative costs. This change directly affects farmers and agricultural businesses transporting goods under harvest permits. The bill streamlines payment options for these operations without altering tax rates or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1446, the "Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi," would create a Mississippi Voting Rights Commission to prevent voter suppression and protect voting rights. It prohibits political subdivisions (like counties and cities) and state agencies from implementing election policies that disproportionately affect racial, ethnic, or language minority voters, requiring such policies to be reviewed by the Commission before implementation. The bill also mandates protections for limited English proficient voters and voters with disabilities, requires advance notice of election policy changes, and establishes a statewide voting database with universities. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.