MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representatives Miles, Franks

House Bill 1554

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF ITAWAMBA COUNTY TO LEVY AN ASSESSMENT, IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER ASSESSMENTS AND COURT COSTS, IN CERTAIN CASES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING A DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM OR SIMILAR PROGRAM IN THE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Board of Supervisors of Itawamba County, Mississippi, in its discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may levy an assessment, in addition to any other assessments and court costs, in the justice, county and circuit courts situated within the county as follows:

(a) Upon each person convicted under the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the Controlled Substances Law or for illegally selling or purchasing alcoholic beverages, light wine or beer, the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00); and

(b) Upon each person convicted of any misdemeanor other than those specified under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the amount of Five Dollars ($5.00).

(2) The resolution adopted by the board of supervisors shall include a statement of the board's intent to levy the additional assessments, the purpose therefor and the date on which the courts will begin to levy the additional assessments.

(3) The avails of any additional assessments imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be used to fund the implementation of a Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or similar program designed to deter the abuse of drugs in the county school district.

(4) Upon the adoption of the resolution stating its intent to levy the additional assessments, the board of supervisors shall provide for the creation of a special county fund in which all assessments collected under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited. Monies in the special fund shall be used for the sole purpose of defraying the costs of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or similar program.

(5) The clerks of the respective courts shall deposit and account for the additional assessments collected under subsection (1) of this section in the same manner as fines collected in those courts.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.