MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Game and Fish

By: Representative Stringer

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-1-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DELETE THE PROHIBITION AGAINST A CONSERVATION OFFICER RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE DURING HIS TERM OF EMPLOYMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-1-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-1-19. (1) No member of the commission, the director, administrative officer, employee or supervisor * * * shall be active in any manner for or on behalf of his own candidacy or the candidacy of any candidate for any public office during his term of office or employment with said department. Violation of this subsection shall constitute a Class II violation and upon conviction thereof the violator shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143, for each offense. A conviction shall render vacant the office or position of the violator.

(2) While retaining the right to vote as he may please and to express privately his opinions on all political subjects, no state director of conservation or conservation officer shall use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or affecting the results thereof, nor for the purpose of coercing the political action of any person or body.

SECTION 2. The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.