MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: County Affairs

By: Representative Reynolds

House Bill 1457

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 65-7-201, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT PROCEEDINGS TO ESTABLISH A PRIVATE WAY OF NECESSITY THROUGH THE LANDS OF ANOTHER FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING INGRESS AND EGRESS SHALL BE FILED WITH AND DETERMINED BY THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY WHERE THE LAND IS LOCATED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 65-7-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     65-7-201.  When any person shall desire to have a private road laid out through the land of another, when necessary for ingress and egress, he shall apply by petition, stating the facts and reasons, to the circuit court of the county where the land is located, and the court shall determine the reasonableness of the application.  The owner of the property shall be a necessary party to the proceedings.  If the court finds in favor of the petitioner, all damages that the court determines that the landowner should be compensated for shall be assessed against and shall be paid by the person applying for the private road, and he shall pay all the costs and expenses incurred in the proceedings.

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