MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Walls

Senate Bill 2750

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 39-5-61, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE FILES OF THE STATE SOVEREIGNTY COMMISSION WHICH WERE SEALED, IMPOUNDED AND MAINTAINED AS CONFIDENTIAL FILES BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY SHALL BECOME PUBLIC RECORDS UPON THE PASSAGE OF THIS ACT; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 39-5-63 AND 39-5-65, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE PENALTIES FOR WILFULLY TAMPERING WITH THE IMPOUNDED FILES OF THE STATE SOVEREIGNTY COMMISSION AND WHICH REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF THE PENALTIES FOR TAMPERING WITH SUCH FILES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 39-5-61, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

39-5-61. The files and equipment of the State Sovereignty Commission are hereby placed in the custody of the Department of Archives and History. Said files shall be * * * maintained * * * by the Department of Archives and History. Any equipment may be used by the Department of Archives and History in the furtherance of the activities of the said department. Upon the passage of Senate Bill No. 2750, 1997 Regular Session, such files shall become public records under the custody and control of the Department of Archives and History.

SECTION 2. Sections 39-5-63 and 39-5-65, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provide penalties for wilfully tampering with the impounded files of the State Sovereignty Commission and which require the display of the penalties for tampering with such files, are hereby repealed.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.