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HB 4178

Suffrage; restore to Tony Lavell Smith of Noxubee County.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carl Mickens

Restores Tony Lavell Smith’s full voting rights, removing prior disqualification from a 2006 grand larceny conviction and probation, effective upon passage.

Died On Calendar
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Bill Summary · HB 4178

Summary of Mississippi House Bill HB 4178 (2026 Session)

Purpose

  • Restore the full right of suffrage (voting rights) to Tony Lavell Smith of Noxubee County, Mississippi.

Key Provisions

  • Section 1: Automatic restoration of the right of suffrage to Tony Lavell Smith.
    • Smith was previously disqualified due to a conviction for Grand Larceny in Noxubee County on September 19, 2006.
    • He was sentenced to five years on probation under the supervision of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
    • He was discharged from probation on November 20, 2009.
    • The bill states that the Legislature has been informed he has since lived as a law-abiding and honorable citizen.
  • Section 2: The act takes effect upon passage and is in force from that time forward.

Affected Parties

  • Tony Lavell Smith is specifically named and affected by this act, regaining full voting rights.
  • The bill does not appear to alter the eligibility framework for others beyond the restoration for this individual.

Procedural/Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Referred to Judiciary B (March 23, 2026).
  • Passed a related stage: “Suff Do Pass” in committee (March 25, 2026).
  • The bill was reported inactive or suspended from deadlines on April 15, 2026, with an indication of calendar-related action (the docket shows “Suspend from Deadlines by HC” and “Died On Calendar” on that date, suggesting procedural delays or scheduling issues in the chamber).
  • Sponsor: Representative Carl Mickens (co-sponsor).

Notes

  • The bill is narrowly focused on one individual’s voting rights restoration and does not propose broader changes to Mississippi’s voting rights restoration framework or policy.
  • The language emphasizes the individual’s prior conduct post-probation, describing him as a law-abiding and honorable citizen.

Practical Impact

  • If enacted, Tony Lavell Smith’s eligibility to vote would be restored for all future elections, removing prior disqualification tied to the Grand Larceny conviction and probationary period.
  • No changes are proposed to existing processes for restoring suffrage for others or to the criteria for eligibility beyond this restoration.

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

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