Senate Bill 2291

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 67-1-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI, TO ESTABLISH LEISURE AND RECREATION DISTRICTS IN WHICH PATRONS MAY REMOVE CONTAINERS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM A LICENSED PREMISES IN SUCH A DISTRICT AND CONSUME SUCH ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 67-1-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-101. (1) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meanings ascribed in this section, unless the context clearly otherwise requires:

(a) "Municipality" means any incorporated city, town or village: (i) located in one (1) of the three (3) most southern counties in the State of Mississippi, (ii) the City of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, (iii) the City of Tupelo, Mississippi, (iv) the City of Holly Springs, Mississippi, (v) the City of Greenville, Mississippi, (vi) the City of Greenwood, Mississippi, (vii) the City of Canton, Mississippi, (viii) the City of Grenada, Mississippi, (ix) the City of Starkville, Mississippi, (x) the City of Water Valley, Mississippi, (xi) the City of Jackson, Mississippi, (xii) the City of Senatobia, Mississippi, * * *~~and~~ (xiii) the City of Corinth, Mississippi, and (xiv) the City of Natchez, Mississippi.

(b) "Leisure and recreation district" means an area officially designated by ordinance or resolution of the governing authorities of a municipality as a leisure and recreation district.

(2) (a) (i) Subject to the provisions of this section, the governing authorities of a municipality, by ordinance, may establish one * * * ~~(1)~~ or more leisure and recreation districts within the corporate boundaries of the municipality and designate the geographic area or areas to be included within a district. The governing authorities of a municipality, by ordinance, may modify the boundaries of a leisure and recreation district. In addition, the boundaries of a leisure and recreation district may extend from within the municipality into the unincorporated area of the county in which the municipality is located if the county consents to the extension and has voted in favor of coming out from under the dry law.

(ii) If a municipality defined in subsection (1)(a)(xi) of this section establishes a leisure and recreation district, the district shall consist of and be limited to the area located in the municipality consisting of the area beginning at Duling Avenue with its intersection with State Street and running to its intersection with Old Canton Road; then running along Old Canton Road to the point where it merges into State Street; then running along State Street to its intersection with Duling Avenue, as well as all of the area located within five hundred (500) feet outside of the area described in this subparagraph ( * * *iii).

(iii) If a municipality defined in subsection (1)(a)(xii) of this section establishes a leisure and recreation district, the district shall consist of and be limited to the following areas in the downtown historic district located in the municipality:

1. The segment of Front Street located south of College Street and north of Tate Street, as well as all of the area located within three hundred (300) feet of such segment of Front Street,

2. The segment of Main Street located west of the railroad track and east of U.S. Highway 51, as well as all of the area located within three hundred (300) feet of such segment of Main Street,

3. The segment of Center Street located north of Tate Street and south of College Street, as well as all of the area located within three hundred (300) feet of such segment of Center Street,

4. The segment of Ward Street located north of Court Street and south of College Street, as well as all of the area located within three hundred (300) feet of such segment of Ward Street, and

5. The segment of Tate Street located west of the railroad track and east of Ward Street, as well as all of the area located within three hundred (300) feet of such segment of Tate Street.

(b) The designation or modification of the geographic area or areas as a leisure and recreation district shall include a detailed description of the area or areas within the district, boundaries of the district and a georeferenced map of the district. In addition to any other matters addressed in an ordinance or resolution establishing or modifying a leisure and recreation district, a municipality must describe the manner in which the municipality will provide for adequate law enforcement and other public safety measures and services within the district. Following the establishment and/or modification of a leisure and recreation district, the municipality shall provide the Department of Revenue with (i) a copy of any ordinance relating to the establishment or modification of the district, (ii) verification from the municipal police department and/or applicable sheriff's department indicating how such department will provide adequate law enforcement and other public safety measures and services within the district, and (iii) a list of persons or other entities that hold permits issued under Section 67-1-51(c), (e), (f), (g), (l), (n) or (o) and are located and/or doing business under such permits in the district at the time the district is established.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.