Bill Text: MS SB2651 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Trespass to hunt, fish, shoot or trap; revise offense description, and impose penalties and fees.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-04-02 - Died In Committee [SB2651 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2024-SB2651-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; Judiciary, Division B
By: Senator(s) Suber, Tate, McLendon
Senate Bill 2651
(As Passed the Senate)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFENSE OF TRESPASSING TO HUNT, FISH, SHOOT OR TRAP; TO SUBSTITUTE THE REQUIREMENT OF THE OFFENDER'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRESPASS FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF A PRIOR WARNING NOT TO TRESPASS; TO CLASSIFY VIOLATIONS AS MISDEMEANORS PUNISHABLE AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 97-17-93 FOR WILLFUL OR MALICIOUS TRESPASS; TO IMPOSE OTHER PENALTIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE FEES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 49-7-79, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-79. (1) It
shall be unlawful for a person to knowingly enter the lands of
another without the permission of or without being accompanied by the landowner
or the lessee of the land, or the agent of such landowner or lessee, to
hunt, fish, shoot * * *, or trap * * * on the lands or leases
of another * * *.
(2) A violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section 97-17-93.
(3) A second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) of this section shall also require forfeiture of all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of one (1) year. A violator shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his privileges restored.
(4) Any fish, wildlife or parts thereof that have been unlawfully taken or possessed by means of a violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be seized by the law enforcement officer and disposed of by the department, or under its direction.
(5) In addition to any other fines or penalties, a person convicted of a violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be assessed an administrative fee of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each animal, bird, fish or part thereof taken or possessed by means of such violation.
(6) The clerk of the court shall collect and deposit the administrative fee with the State Treasurer.
(7) The administrative fee shall be credited to the department, which may expend it upon appropriation by the Legislature.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024, and shall stand repealed on June 30, 2024.
