Senate Bill 2974

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ESTABLISH A MINIMUM FEE FOR NONRESIDENT DUCK HUNTING LICENSES AND FRESHWATER FISHING LICENSES; TO DIRECT THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO CHARGE RECIPROCAL FEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-8. (1) No nonresident sixteen (16) years of age or older may hunt, fish, kill, take or trap any game animal, bird or fish without having acquired and having in his immediate possession a valid license issued by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(2) The commission shall have the following duties and powers:

(a) To prescribe the forms and types of nonresident licenses that a nonresident must obtain;

(b) To determine the total number of each type of nonresident license to be issued annually;

(c) To establish fees for nonresident licenses and the collection fees for the agent issuing such licenses; provided, however, that the fee for a nonresident all game hunting license shall not be less than Sixty Dollars ($60.00);

(d) The fee for the following nonresident licenses shall be Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) for a seven-day duck hunting license, One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) for an annual duck hunting license and Sixty Dollars ($60.00) for an annual freshwater fishing license, unless the commission has a reciprocity agreement with a state.

(e) To exercise all incidental powers necessary to develop a nonresident licensing program.

(3) A nonresident who violates this section or any licensing regulation of the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-21(3).

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