MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Agriculture

By: Representative Rushing

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO WILLFULLY AND KNOWINGLY DAMAGES OR DESTROYS CERTAIN FIELD-CROP PRODUCTS SHALL BE LIABLE FOR TWICE THE VALUE OF THE CROP DAMAGED OR DESTROYED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Any person or entity who willfully and knowingly damages or destroys any field-crop product that is grown for personal or commercial purposes, or for testing or research purposes in the context of a product-development program in conjunction or coordination with a private research facility or a university or any federal, state or local government agency, shall be liable for twice the value of the crop damaged or destroyed.

(2) In awarding damages under this section, the courts shall consider the market value of the crop before the damage or destruction and production, research, testing, replacement and crop-development costs directly related to the crop that has been damaged or destroyed as part of the value of the crop.

(3) Damages available under this section shall be limited to twice the market value of the crop before the damage or destruction plus twice the actual damages involving production, research, testing, replacement and crop-development costs directly related to the crop that has been damaged or destroyed.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.