MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Ryan

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 75-76-108, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR ANY PERSON TO WILLFULLY IMPEDE OR INTERFERE WITH THE MISSISSIPPI GAMING COMMISSION OR ITS EMPLOYEES IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES, OR TO WILLFULLY FILE WITH THE COMMISSION ANY FALSE OR FRAUDULENT COMPLAINT, STATEMENT OR INFORMATION; TO PRESCRIBE THE PENALTIES FOR SUCH VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 75-76-108, Mississippi Code of 1972:

75-76-108. (1) It is unlawful for any person willfully to impede or interfere with or to attempt to impede or interfere with the Mississippi Gaming Commission, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission or any officer or employee of the commission in the performance of their powers and duties.

(2) It is unlawful for any person willfully to file or cause to be filed with the commission any false or fraudulent complaint, statement or information concerning any licensee or applicant for a gaming license, or concerning any employee of a licensee or any applicant for a work permit issuable under the provisions of this chapter, knowing the complaint, statement or information to be false or fraudulent or having a reckless disregard for the truth or falsity of the complaint, statement or information.

(3) A violation of this section is a misdemeanor punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. In addition, if a person convicted for a violation of this section is the holder of a gaming license or a work permit issued under this chapter, then the license or work permit of such person shall be revoked as provided under Section 75-76-267.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.