MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Local and Private Legislation

By: Representative Moore (100th), Nettles

House Bill 1642

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF MARION COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES LOCATED WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF MARION COUNTY AND OTHER CITIZENS' GROUPS TO ESTABLISH, FUND AND OPERATE AN ANIMAL SHELTER FACILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The Board of Supervisors of Marion County, Mississippi, in its discretion, may participate with the governing authorities of any municipalities located within the boundaries of Marion County or with any citizens' groups located in Marion County: 

          (a)  To construct, fund and operate a shelter for stray or abandoned animals;

          (b)  To set fees and to accept grants, private donations and volunteer veterinary services to help offset expenses for providing services to the citizens and animals of Marion County, Mississippi, including, but not limited to, the vaccinating, adopting, spaying, neutering, euthanizing, grooming and dipping of animals;

          (c)  To furnish county or inmate labor;

          (d)  To hire workers for the shelter;

          (e)  To support the right of the municipalities to establish and enforce their individual animal control laws; and          (f)  To reserve the right to establish county guidelines as the need occurs.

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