MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Game and Fish

By: Representative Endt

House Bill 87

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT FROM AND AFTER JULY 1, 1997, THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS SHALL TAKE THOSE STEPS NECESSARY TO DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF SPECIAL SPORTING PERMITS FOR THE HUNTING, CATCHING OR KILLING OF ALLIGATOR THAT ARE ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION OVER THE NUMBER OF SUCH PERMITS WHICH WERE ISSUED IN THE TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE JULY 1, 1997; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-47. (1) The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall have the authority to control, regulate and manage the taking of all alligators and alligator turtles.

(2) Both residents and nonresidents shall be required to purchase a combination hunting and fishing license to hunt, kill or catch any alligator or alligator turtle for sporting purposes.

(3) Both residents and nonresidents shall be required to obtain a special permit to hunt, kill, catch or possess any alligator or alligator turtle for commercial purposes. The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is authorized to establish a reasonable fee for an annual special sporting permit, not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), and to prescribe regulations governing commercial trade in alligators and alligator turtles. Any reasonable fee established for an annual special commercial permit shall not exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). Such permit shall be good from the date of its issuance to June 30 following its date. From and after July 1, 1997, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall take those steps necessary to double the number of special sporting permits for the hunting, catching or killing of alligator that were issued under this section during the twelve (12) months before July 1, 1997.

(4) Any person violating this section shall be guilty, upon conviction, of a Class I offense and punished as provided in Section 49-7-141.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.