MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Mitchell

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF UNION 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 LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, OR FOR OTHER DRUG-RELATED LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.  

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Board of Supervisors of Union 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 Controlled Substances Law, the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00).

(b) Upon each person convicted under the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the amount of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00).

(c) Upon all other traffic violations, 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 court costs.

(3) The avails of any additional assessments levied 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 and/or any separate school district that encompasses territory within Union County and any adjoining county or counties, or for other drug-related law enforcement purposes, as specified in the resolution. The board of supervisors shall determine, in its discretion, if it will contribute funds and the amount thereof, if any, for such a program in a separate school district that encompasses territory within an adjoining county or counties.

(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 cost of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or similar program or other drug-related law enforcement efforts.

(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.