Senate Bill 2730

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-15-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CREATE A FELONY LEVEL OF MALICIOUSLY IMPEDING TRAFFIC ON A PUBLIC ROAD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-15-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-15-37. (1) If any person shall fell any bush or tree into any public road or highway, or obstruct the same in any manner whatever, and shall not remove the obstruction immediately, except as provided in subsection (2), it shall be deemed a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof the offender, in addition to the penalty recoverable by law, shall be fined not more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or be imprisoned not more than one (1) week.

(2) If the violation of this section constitutes an intentional act of malice, including, but not limited to, a person sitting, standing or lying in a public road or highway that would impede or hinder the passage of emergency vehicles, the violation shall be a felony punishable by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisonment not to exceed five (5) years, or both.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017.