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HB 4149

Suffrage; restore to Robert Henley of Noxubee County.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carl Mickens

Restores Robert Henley’s right to vote in Mississippi after his embezzlement conviction, applying only to him and taking effect upon enactment.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 4149

Summary: House Bill 4149 (2026) – Mississippi

Overview

  • Purpose: Restore the right of suffrage (voting eligibility) to Robert Henley of Noxubee County, Mississippi.
  • Jurisdiction: Mississippi Legislature, 2026 Regular Session.
  • Status: Passed the House initially but appears to have died in committee in the Senate (as of the action history: “Died In Committee” on 2026-04-15). Transmitted to Senate earlier in the session; no final enacted status reflected.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • The bill seeks to fully and completely restore the right to vote to Robert Henley, who previously was disqualified due to a criminal conviction.
  • It explicitly notes the conviction was for embezzlement in Lowndes County with a sentence of 60 months handed down on August 20, 2002, followed by release on March 12, 2007.
  • The bill asserts that Henley has since lived as a “law-abiding and honorable citizen” and warrants restoration of voting rights.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Restores all rights of suffrage to Robert Henley. The act declares the restoration effective for him specifically, removing disqualification stemming from the cited embezzlement conviction.
  • Section 2: Establishes that the act takes effect upon passage (immediate effectiveness once enacted and signed).

Who/What Is Affected

  • Individual: Robert Henley of Noxubee County, Mississippi. The restoration is tailored to him personally.
  • The bill does not statewide extend restoration to others automatically; it is a targeted restoration for this individual.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Committee and Floor Actions (House):
    • Referred to Judiciary, Division B (3/17/2026)
    • Passed House with title sufficiency (“Title Suff Do Pass”) (3/18/2026)
    • Referred to Senate (3/20/2026)
  • Senate Actions:
    • Transmitted to Senate (3/20/2026)
    • Status indicates “Died In Committee” (4/15/2026), meaning the bill did not advance to the Senate floor for a vote prior to the committee deadline or adjournment.
  • Effective Date: If enacted, Section 2 indicates immediate effect upon passage.

Practical Considerations

  • If enacted, the bill would restore Henley’s right to vote as of the act’s effective date, allowing him to participate in elections consistent with Mississippi law governing suffrage restoration for those with prior convictions.
  • The bill is highly case-specific and does not address general policy changes to the state’s broader approach to restoring voting rights for other felons or categories of offenses.

Notable Details

  • The conviction referenced: embezzlement in Lowndes County, with a 60-month sentence served under MDOC supervision.
  • Release date: March 12, 2007.
  • The legislative trajectory shows initial passage in the House but no final enactment due to the Senate committee outcome.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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