MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Business and Financial Institutions

By: Senator(s) King

Senate Bill 2983

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-85-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL TRANSIENT VENDORS TO NOTIFY IN WRITING THE SHERIFF IN THE COUNTY OR THE CHIEF OF POLICE IN THE MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH THEY ARE CONDUCTING BUSINESS; TO PROVIDE CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR KNOWINGLY OR INTENTIONALLY FAILING TO PROVIDE NOTICE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 75-85-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     75-85-3.  (1)  The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

          (a)  Civic and nonprofit organizations or wholesale sales to retail merchants by commercial travelers;

          (b)  Wholesale trade shows or conventions;

          (c)  Sales of goods, wares, services or merchandise by sample, catalogue or brochure for future delivery;

          (d)  Fairs and convention center activities conducted primarily for amusement or entertainment;

          (e)  Any general sale, fair, circus, auction or bazaar sponsored by a church or religious organization;

          (f)  Garage sales held on premises devoted to residential use;

          (g)  Sales or repairs of crafts or sales or repairs of items made by hand by the person making the crafts or items;

          (h)  Duly licensed flea markets operating from a fixed location;

          (i)  Sales of agricultural, dairy, poultry, seafood or forest management products or services related to forest management or silvicultural activities, nursery products, foliage plants or ornamental trees, except such products or services sold at retail and not grown or produced within Mississippi;

          (j)  Sales of agricultural services.

     (2)  A transient vendor not otherwise exempted from this chapter is not exempted from this chapter because of a temporary association with a local dealer, auctioneer, trader, contractor or merchant, or by conducting the transient business in connection with or in the name of any local dealer, auctioneer, trader, contractor or merchant.

     (3)  (a)  Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, any transient vendor transacting business in a county or municipality of this state shall notify in writing the sheriff of the county or chief of police of the municipality in which he is transacting business.

          (b)  Any transient vendor who knowingly or intentionally fails to provide written notification to the sheriff or chief of police as required by paragraph (a) shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.