MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2002 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative Nicholson

House Bill 1617

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-519, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY INCORPORATED MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH IS LOCATED A PUBLIC COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO USE RADAR SPEED DETECTION EQUIPMENT UPON THE PUBLIC STREETS OF THE MUNICIPALITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 63-3-519, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     63-3-519.  (1)  It is unlawful for any person or peace officer or law enforcement agency, except the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, to purchase or use or allow to be used any type of radar speed detection equipment upon any public street, road or highway of this state.  However, such equipment may be used:

          (a)  By municipal law enforcement officers within the boundaries of any incorporated municipality in which is located a public community college upon the public streets of the municipality;

          (b)  By municipal law enforcement officers within a municipality having a population of two thousand (2,000) or more upon the public streets of the municipality;

          (c)  By any college or university campus police force within the confines of any campus wherein more than two thousand (2,000) students are enrolled; and

          (d)  By municipal law enforcement officers in any municipality having a population in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) according to the latest federal census on federally designated highways lying within the corporate limits.

     (2)  The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol shall not set up radar on highways within municipalities with a population in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) according to the latest federal census.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.