Bill Text: MS HB1204 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Statues and monuments; prohibit removal of those relating to Dr. Martin King, Jr., or any other civil rights activist.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2020-03-03 - Died In Committee [HB1204 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2020-HB1204-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Arnold
House Bill 1204
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 39-7-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM WILLFULLY INJURING, DISFIGURING, REMOVING OR DESTROYING ANY STATUE OR MONUMENT RELATING TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., OR ANY OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST; TO AMEND SECTION 55-15-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE RELOCATION, REMOVAL, DISTURBING, ALTERATION, RENAMING OR REDEDICATION OF ANY STATUES OR MONUMENTS RELATING TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., OR ANY OTHER CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 39-7-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
39-7-33. It shall be unlawful for any person, not being the owner thereof, and without lawful authority, to willfully injure, disfigure, remove or destroy any historical structure, monument, marker, medallion, or artifact, including statues and monuments relating to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or any other civil rights activist.
SECTION 2. Section 55-15-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
55-15-81. (1) None of the following items, structures or areas may be relocated, removed, disturbed, altered, renamed or rededicated: any Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican-American War, War Between the States, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, War in Iraq or Native American War's statues, monuments, memorials or nameplates (plaques), which have been erected on public property of the state or any of its political subdivisions, such as local, municipal or county owned public areas, and any statues, monuments, memorials, nameplates (plaques), schools, streets, bridges, buildings, parks preserves, reserves or other public items, structure or areas of the state or any of its political subdivisions, such as, local, municipal or county owned public areas, which has been dedicated in memory of, or named for, any historical military figure, historical military event, military organization or military unit, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., or any other civil rights activist.
(2) No person may prevent the public body responsible for maintaining any of the items, structures or areas described above from taking proper measures and exercising proper means for the protection, preservation, care, repair or restoration of those items, structures or areas. The governing body may move the memorial to a more suitable location if it is determined that the location is more appropriate to displaying the monument.
(3) This section shall not apply to items, structures or areas located on property owned or acquired by the Mississippi Transportation Commission which may interfere with the construction, maintenance or operation of public transportation facilities.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.
