MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Judiciary, Division B

By: Senator(s) Albritton, Dearing

Senate Bill 2878

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PERMIT DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO PAY A FINE OR FEE OR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR ANY MISDEMEANOR; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-52, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-53, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PERMIT DRIVER'S LICENSE SUSPENSION FOR FAILURE TO PAY A FINE OR FEE OR FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR ANY MISDEMEANOR AND TO ALLOW THE COURT TO INSTITUTE A PAYMENT PLAN FOR A PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED ONE YEAR DURING WHICH TIME THE OFFENDER MAY DRIVE ON A LIMITED LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 9-11-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE POWER OF THE JUSTICE COURT TO TRY DEFENDANTS IN ABSENTIA; TO AMEND SECTION 9-11-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 21-23-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE POWER OF THE MUNICIPAL COURT TO TRY DEFENDANTS IN ABSENTIA; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-46, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO SET FORTH A PROCEDURE FOR REINSTITUTION OF THE DRIVING PRIVILEGE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES BY ISSUANCE OF A LIMITED LICENSE WHEN A PERSON WHOSE LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED ENTERS INTO A COURT-ORDERED PAYMENT PLAN; TO AMEND SECTION 17-25-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE A COURT TO SUSPEND THE DRIVER'S LICENSE OF A PERSON WHO IS IN CONTEMPT OF COURT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 63-1-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     63-1-51.  (1)  It shall be the duty of the trial judge, upon conviction of any person holding a license issued pursuant to this article where the penalty for a misdemeanor or any traffic violation is as much as Ten Dollars ($10.00), to mail a copy of abstract of the court record or provide an electronically or computer generated copy of abstract of the court record immediately to the commissioner at Jackson, Mississippi, showing the date of conviction, penalty, etc., so that a record of same may be made by the Department of Public Safety.  The commissioner shall forthwith revoke the license of any person for a period of one (1) year upon receiving a duly certified record of each person's convictions of any of the following offenses when such conviction has become final:

          (a)  Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;

          (b)  Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;

          (c)  Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another;

          (d)  Perjury or the willful making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the department under this article or under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles;

          (e)  Conviction, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, upon three (3) charges of reckless driving committed within a period of twelve (12) months;

          (f)  Contempt for failure to pay a fine, cost, assessment or fee or to respond to a summons or citation pursuant to a charge of a misdemeanor or any violation of this title.

     (2)  The commissioner shall revoke the license issued pursuant to this article of any person convicted of negligent homicide, in addition to any penalty now provided by law.

     (3)  In addition to the reasons specified in this section, the commissioner shall be authorized to suspend the license issued to any person pursuant to this article for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153.  The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be.  If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this article, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

     SECTION 2.  Section 63-1-52, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     63-1-52.  (1)  Whenever the Commissioner of Public Safety suspends, cancels or revokes the driver's license or driving privileges of any person, notice of the suspension, cancellation or revocation shall be given to such person by the commissioner, or his duly authorized agent, in the manner provided in subsection (2) of this section and at the time provided in subsection (3) of this section or in the manner and at the time provided in subsection (4) of this section.

     (2)  Notice shall be given in the following manner:

          (a)  In writing, (i) by United States Certificate of Mail; or (ii) by personal service at the person's address as it appears on the driving record maintained by the Department of Public Safety or at the person's last known address; or (iii) by personal notice being given by any law enforcement officer of this state or any duly authorized agent of the Commissioner of Public Safety on forms prescribed and furnished by the Commissioner of Public Safety; whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Driver License Compact Law, the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law or * * * Section 63-1-53.

          (b)  In writing, by United States first class mail, whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Commercial Driver's License Law, the Youth Court Law, Chapter 23 of Title 43, Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 63-1-45, Section 63-1-51, * * * Section 63-1-53 or Section 63-9-25.

     (3)  Notice shall be given at the following time:

          (a)  Before suspension, revocation or cancellation, whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Driver License Compact Law, the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Law or * * * Section 63-1-53.

          (b)  Unless otherwise specifically provided for by law, at the time of suspension, revocation or cancellation, whenever a person's driver's license or driving privileges are suspended, revoked or cancelled in accordance with the Mississippi Commercial Driver's License Law, the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the Youth Court Law, Chapter 23 of Title 43, Mississippi Code of 1972, Section 63-1-45, Section 63-1-51, * * * Section 63-1-53 or Section 63-9-25.

     (4)  Whenever the Commissioner of Public Safety suspends, revokes or cancels the driver's license or driving privileges of any person in accordance with some provision of law other than a provision of law referred to in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and the manner and time for giving notice is not provided for in such law, then notice of such suspension, revocation or cancellation shall be given in the manner and at the time provided for under subsections (2)(b) and (3)(b) of this section.

     SECTION 3.  Section 63-1-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     63-1-53.  (1)  Upon failure of any person to respond timely and properly to a summons or citation charging such person with a misdemeanor or any violation of this title, or upon failure of any person to pay timely any fine, fee or assessment levied as a result of a misdemeanor or any violation of this title, the clerk of the court shall give written notice to such person by United States first class mail at his last known address advising such person that if within ten (10) days after such notice is deposited in the mail the person has not properly responded to the summons or citation or has not paid the entire amount of all fines, fees and assessments levied, then the court will give notice thereof to the Commissioner of Public Safety and the commissioner may suspend the driver's license of such person.  The actual cost incurred by the court in the giving of such notice may be added to any other court costs assessed in such case.  If within ten (10) days after the notice is given in accordance with this subsection such person has not satisfactorily disposed of the matter pending before the court, then the clerk of the court immediately shall mail a copy of the abstract of the court record, along with a certified copy of the notice given under this subsection, to the Commissioner of Public Safety, and the commissioner may suspend the driver's license of such person as authorized under subsections (2) and (3) of this section.

     (2)  The commissioner is hereby authorized to suspend the license of an operator without preliminary hearing upon a showing by his records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:

          (a)  Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction except under the provisions of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law;

          (b)  Has been involved as a driver in any accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another or serious property damage;

          (c)  Is an habitually reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle;

          (d)  Has been convicted with such frequency of serious offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;

          (e)  Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle;

          (f)  Has permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of such license;

          (g)  Has committed an offense in another state which if committed in this state would be grounds for suspension or revocation;

          (h)  Has failed to pay any fine, fee or other assessment levied as a result of a misdemeanor or any violation of this title;

          (i)  Has failed to respond to a summons or citation which charged a misdemeanor or any violation of this title or is otherwise in contempt of court; or

          (j)  Has committed a violation for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction, entering a plea of nolo contendere to, or adjudication of delinquency, pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 63-1-71.

     (3)  Notice that a person's license is suspended or will be suspended under subsection (2) of this section shall be given by the commissioner in the manner and at the time provided for under Section 63-1-52, and upon such person's request, he shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing as early as practicable within not to exceed twenty (20) days after receipt of such request in the county wherein the licensee resides unless the department and the licensee agree that such hearing may be held in some other county.  Upon such hearing the commissioner, or his duly authorized agent, may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers and may require a reexamination of the licensee.  Upon such hearing the commissioner shall either rescind any order of suspension or, good cause appearing therefor, may extend any suspension of such license or revoke such license.

     (4)  Any person whose license has been suspended for failure to appear or for having been convicted of a misdemeanor or any violation of this title and for the subsequent failure to pay a fine, cost, fee or assessment imposed for that offense may apply to the court where the person was convicted or failed to appear for the issuance of a limited license.  The court may order the person whose license has been suspended to make payments in an amount reasonably calculated to fully pay the amount owed to the court within one (1) year as a condition of receiving the limited license.  Failure to timely make the payments as ordered by the court shall result in the suspension of the limited license.  The suspension procedure shall be as set forth in Section 63-1-46(6).

     SECTION 4.  Section 9-11-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     9-11-15.  Justice court judges shall hold regular terms of their courts, at such times as they may appoint, not exceeding two (2) and not less than one (1) in every month, at the appropriate justice court courtroom established by the board of supervisors; and they may continue to hold their courts from day to day so long as business may require; and all process shall be returnable, and all trials shall take place at such regular terms, except where it is otherwise provided; but where the defendant is a nonresident or transient person, and it shall be shown by the oath of either party that a delay of the trial until the regular term will be of material injury to him, it shall be lawful for the judge to have the parties brought before him at any reasonable time and hear the evidence and give judgment or where the defendant is a nonresident or transient person and the judge and all parties agree, it shall be lawful for the judge to have the parties brought before him on the day a citation is made and hear the evidence and give judgment.  Such court shall be a court of record, with all the power incident to a court of record, including power to try in absentia pursuant to Section 99-17-9, and power to suspend a driver's license, to suspend a hunting license, and to impose a fine and imprisonment in the amount of fine and length of imprisonment as is authorized for a municipal court in Section 21-23-7(11) for contempt of court.

     SECTION 5.  Section 9-11-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     9-11-19.  (1)  It shall be the duty of every clerk of the justice court to receive and account for all fees, costs, fines and penalties charged and collected in the justice court, and, monthly to report in writing under oath, to the clerk of the board of supervisors who shall upon receipt submit such report to the board of supervisors of all such fees, costs, fines and penalties received, including cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases and at least semiannually any delinquent fines and penalties, giving the date, amount, and names of persons from whom such monies were received, and to pay so much thereof as shall have been received to the clerk of the board of supervisors for deposit into the general fund of the county.  Any clerk of the justice court who shall fail to make such report or to pay the money so received shall, in addition to any other fine or punishment provided by law for such conduct, not be entitled to compensation for the period of time during which such report or money is outstanding.

     (2)  The provisions of this section shall not, except as to cash bonds and other monies which have been forfeited in criminal cases, apply to monies required to be deposited in the justice court clerk clearing account as provided in Section 9-11-18 * * *.

     SECTION 6.  Section 21-23-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     21-23-7.  (1)  The municipal judge shall hold court in a public building designated by the governing authority of the municipality and may hold court every day except Sundays and legal holidays if the business of the municipality so requires; provided, however, the municipal judge may hold court outside the boundaries of the municipality but not more than within a sixty-mile radius of the municipality to handle preliminary matters and criminal matters such as initial appearances and felony preliminary hearings.  The municipal judge shall have the jurisdiction to hear and determine, without a jury and without a record of the testimony, all cases charging violations of the municipal ordinances and state misdemeanor laws made offenses against the municipality and to punish offenders therefor as may be prescribed by law.  The municipal judge shall have the power to try in absentia pursuant to Section 99-17-9.  All criminal proceedings shall be brought by sworn complaint filed in the municipal court.  Such complaint shall state the essential elements of the offense charged and the statute or ordinance relied upon.  Such complaint shall not be required to conclude with a general averment that the offense is against the peace and dignity of the state or in violation of the ordinances of the municipality.  He may sit as a committing court in all felonies committed within the municipality, and he shall have the power to bind over the accused to the grand jury or to appear before the proper court having jurisdiction to try the same, and to set the amount of bail or refuse bail and commit the accused to jail in cases not bailable.  The municipal judge is a conservator of the peace within his municipality.  He may conduct preliminary hearings in all violations of the criminal laws of this state occurring within the municipality, and any person arrested for a violation of law within the municipality may be brought before him for initial appearance.

     (2)  In the discretion of the court, where the objects of justice would be more likely met, as an alternative to imposition or payment of fine and/or incarceration, the municipal judge shall have the power to sentence convicted offenders to work on a public service project where the court has established such a program of public service by written guidelines filed with the clerk for public record.  Such programs shall provide for reasonable supervision of the offender and the work shall be commensurate with the fine and/or incarceration that would have ordinarily been imposed.  Such program of public service may be utilized in the implementation of the provisions of Section 99-19-20, and public service work thereunder may be supervised by persons other than the sheriff.

     (3)  The municipal judge may solemnize marriages, take oaths, affidavits and acknowledgments, and issue orders, subpoenas, summonses, citations, warrants for search and arrest upon a finding of probable cause, and other such process under seal of the court to any county or municipality, in a criminal case, to be executed by the lawful authority of the county or the municipality of the respondent, and enforce obedience thereto.  The absence of a seal shall not invalidate the process.

     (4)  When a person shall be charged with an offense in municipal court punishable by confinement, the municipal judge, being satisfied that such person is an indigent person and is unable to employ counsel, may, in the discretion of the court, appoint counsel from the membership of The Mississippi Bar residing in his county who shall represent him.  Compensation for appointed counsel in criminal cases shall be approved and allowed by the municipal judge and shall be paid by the municipality.  The maximum compensation shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for any one (1) case.  The governing authorities of a municipality may, in their discretion, appoint a public defender(s) who must be a licensed attorney and who shall receive a salary to be fixed by the governing authorities.

     (5)  The municipal judge of any municipality is hereby authorized to suspend the sentence and to suspend the execution of the sentence, or any part thereof, on such terms as may be imposed by the municipal judge.  However, the suspension of imposition or execution of a sentence hereunder may not be revoked after a period of two (2) years.  The municipal judge shall have the power to establish and operate a probation program, dispute resolution program and other practices or procedures appropriate to the judiciary and designed to aid in the administration of justice. Any such program shall be established by the court with written policies and procedures filed with the clerk of the court for public record.

     (6)  Upon prior notice to the municipal prosecuting attorney and upon a showing in open court of rehabilitation, good conduct for a period of two (2) years since the last conviction in any court and that the best interest of society would be served, the court may, in its discretion, order the record of conviction of a person of any or all misdemeanors in that court expunged, and upon so doing the said person thereafter legally stands as though he had never been convicted of the said misdemeanor(s) and may lawfully so respond to any query of prior convictions.  This order of expunction does not apply to the confidential records of law enforcement agencies and has no effect on the driving record of a person maintained under Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, or any other provision of said Title 63.

     (7)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (6) of this section, a person who was convicted in municipal court of a misdemeanor before reaching his twenty-third birthday, excluding conviction for a traffic violation, and who is a first offender, may utilize the provisions of Section 99-19-71, to expunge such misdemeanor conviction.

     (8)  In the discretion of the court, a plea of nolo contendere may be entered to any charge in municipal court.  Upon the entry of a plea of nolo contendere the court shall convict the defendant of the offense charged and shall proceed to sentence the defendant according to law.  The judgment of the court shall reflect that the conviction was on a plea of nolo contendere.  An appeal may be made from a conviction on a plea of nolo contendere as in other cases.

     (9)  Upon execution of a sworn complaint charging a misdemeanor, the municipal court may, in its discretion and in lieu of an arrest warrant, issue a citation requiring the appearance of the defendant to answer the charge made against him. On default of appearance, an arrest warrant may be issued for the defendant.  The clerk of the court or deputy clerk may issue such citations.

     (10)  The municipal court shall have the power to make rules for the administration of the court's business, which rules, if any, shall be in writing filed with the clerk of the court.

     (11)  The municipal court shall have the power to impose punishment of a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or six (6) months' imprisonment, or both, for contempt of court.  The municipal court also shall have the power to suspend the driver's license of a contemnor for a period not to exceed one (1) year, conforming to the procedure set forth in Section 63-1-52, and to suspend the hunting license of the contemnor for a period not to exceed one (1) year, conforming to the procedure outlined in Section 49-7-27. The municipal court may have the power to impose reasonable costs of court, not in excess of the following:

     Dismissal of any affidavit, complaint or charge

   in municipal court............................. $  50.00

     Suspension of a minor's driver's license in lieu of

   conviction..................................... $  50.00

Service of scire facias or return "not found"..... $  20.00

     Causing search warrant to issue or causing prosecution

        without reasonable cause or refusing to cooperate

   after initiating action........................ $ 100.00

Certified copy of the court record................ $   5.00

     Service of arrest warrant for failure to answer

   citation or traffic summons.................... $  25.00

Jail cost per day................................. $  10.00

Any other item of court cost...................... $  50.00

     No filing fee or such cost shall be imposed for the bringing of an action in municipal court.

     (12)  A municipal court judge shall not dismiss a criminal case but may transfer the case to the justice court of the county if the municipal court judge is prohibited from presiding over the case by the Canons of Judicial Conduct and provided that venue and jurisdiction are proper in the justice court.  Upon transfer of any such case, the municipal court judge shall give the municipal court clerk a written order to transmit the affidavit or complaint and all other records and evidence in the court's possession to the justice court by certified mail or to instruct the arresting officer to deliver such documents and records to the justice court.  There shall be no court costs charged for the transfer of the case to the justice court.

     (13)  A municipal court judge shall expunge the record of any case in which an arrest was made, the person arrested was released and the case was dismissed or the charges were dropped or there was no disposition of such case.

     SECTION 7.  Section 63-1-46, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     63-1-46.  (1)  A fee of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) shall be charged for the reinstatement of a license issued pursuant to this article to every person whose license has been validly suspended, revoked or cancelled.  This fee shall be in addition to the fee provided for in Section 63-1-43, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     (2)  The funds received under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund in accordance with Section 45-1-23, Mississippi Code of 1972.

     (3)  In addition to the fee provided for in subsection (1) of this section, an additional fee of Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) shall be charged for the reinstatement of a license issued pursuant to this article to every person whose license has been suspended or revoked under the provisions of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law or as a result of a conviction of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law under the provisions of Section 63-1-71.

     (4)  The funds received under the provisions of subsection (3) of this section shall be placed in a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury.  Monies in such special fund may be expended solely to contribute to the Disability and Relief Fund for members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol such amounts as are necessary to make sworn agents of the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics who were employed by such bureau prior to December 1, 1990, and who were subsequently employed as enforcement troopers by the Department of Public Safety, full members of the retirement system for the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol with full credit for the time they were employed as sworn agents for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics.  The Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System shall certify to the State Treasurer the amounts necessary for the purposes described above.  The State Treasurer shall monthly transfer from the special fund created pursuant to this subsection the amounts deposited in such special fund to the Disability and Relief Fund for members of the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol until such time as the certified amount has been transferred.  At such time as the certified amount has been transferred, the State Treasurer shall transfer any funds remaining in the special fund created pursuant to this subsection to the State General Fund and shall then dissolve such special fund.  This subsection (4) shall stand repealed at such time when the State Treasurer transfers funds and dissolves the special fund account in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

     (5)  The procedure for the reinstatement of a license issued pursuant to this article that has been suspended for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153, and the payment of any fees for the reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be.

     (6)  (a)  This subsection shall not apply to violations of the Implied Consent Law.

          (b)  The department is hereby authorized to reinstate a person's driving privileges by the issuance of a limited license when the person provides the department with certification from the court or clerk of court issuing the order that resulted in the suspension of driving privileges that the person has entered into a payment plan with the court and has satisfied all other provisions of law relating to the issuance and restoration of a driver's license.

          (c)  The department, upon notice of a person's failure to comply with any payment plan established pursuant to this subsection, shall suspend the limited license of the noncompliant person.  Persons who default under this subsection shall not be eligible for any future payment plans under this subsection.  The department shall notify the person in writing of the proposed suspension, and upon request of the person within thirty (30) days of receipt of the notice, shall provide the person an opportunity for a hearing to show that the person has, in fact, complied with the payment plan arranged by the court or clerk of court.  Failure to request a hearing within thirty (30) days, without exception, shall constitute a waiver of the right for a hearing.

          (d)  Any person who has ever defaulted on a payment plan to pay fines, costs, fees and assessments shall not be eligible to participate in a payment plan under this subsection, nor shall the department be authorized to accept a payment plan as a condition precedent to the restoration of driving privileges from that person.  The department shall notify the clerk of court of the prior default in notifying the court of the department's refusal to issue a limited license.

          (e)  The person shall be eligible for reinstatement of the person's regular driver's license upon receipt by the department of certification from the court that all fines, fees, costs and assessments, the nonpayment of which resulted in the original suspension, have been paid in full.

     SECTION 8.  Section 17-25-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     17-25-1.  The board of supervisors of any county and the governing authority of any municipality may allow the payment of various taxes, fees and other accounts receivable to the county or municipality by credit cards, charge cards, debit cards, telecheck, e-check, electronic fund transfer or other forms of electronic payment, in accordance with policies established by the State Auditor.  Any fees or charges associated with the use of such electronic payments may be assessed to the user of the electronic payment as an additional charge for processing the electronic payment, so that the user will pay the full cost of using the electronic payment, or the county or municipality may pay any service fees for the use of these methods of payment from collection fees or from the general fund if the board of supervisors or the governing authority of the municipality finds that doing so is in the public interest.

     SECTION 9.  Section 49-7-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     49-7-27.  (1)  The commission may revoke any hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges, license or deny any person the right to secure such license if the person has been convicted of the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulation thereunder.  The revocation of the privilege, license or refusal to grant license shall be for a period of one (1) year.  However, before the revocation of the privilege or license shall become effective, the executive director shall send by registered mail notice to the person or licensee, who shall have the right to a hearing or representation before the commission at the next regular meeting or a special meeting.  The notice shall set out fully the ground or complaint upon which revocation of, or refusal to grant, the privilege or license is sought.

     (2)  Any person who is convicted for a second time during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months for violation of any of the laws with respect to game, fish or nongame fish or animals shall forfeit his privilege and any license or licenses issued to him by the commission and the commission shall not issue the person any license for a period of one (1) year from the date of forfeiture.

     (3)  Failure of any person to surrender his license or licenses upon demand made by the commission or by its representatives at the direction of the commission shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as such.

     (4)  Any violator whose privilege or license has been revoked, who shall, during the period of revocation, be apprehended for hunting or fishing, shall have imposed upon him a mandatory jail term of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months.

     (5)  (a)  The commission is authorized to suspend any license issued to any person under this chapter for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153.  The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be.  If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control;

          (b)  The commission is authorized to suspend any license issued to any person under this chapter when so directed by a court for contempt of court as provided by Sections 9-11-15 and 21-23-7.

     (6)  If a person is found guilty or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a violation of Section 49-7-95, and then appeals, the commission shall suspend or revoke the hunting privileges of that person pending the determination of his appeal.

     (7)  (a)  If a person does not comply with a summons or a citation or does not pay a fine, fee or assessment for violating a wildlife law or regulation, the commission shall revoke the fishing, hunting, or trapping privileges of that person.  When a person does not comply or fails to pay, the clerk of the court shall notify the person in writing by first class mail that if the person does not comply or pay within ten (10) days from the date of mailing, the court will notify the commission and the commission will revoke the fishing, hunting or trapping privileges of that person.  The cost of notice may be added to other court costs.  If the person does not comply or pay as required, the court clerk shall immediately mail a copy of the court record and a copy of the notice to the commission.  After receiving notice from the court, the commission shall revoke the fishing, hunting or trapping privileges of that person.

          (b)  A person whose fishing, hunting or trapping privileges have been revoked under this subsection shall remain revoked until the person can show proof that all obligations of the court have been met.

          (c)  A person shall pay a Twenty-five Dollar ($25.00) fee to have his privileges reinstated.  The fee shall be paid to the department.

     SECTION 10.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.