MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representatives Steverson, Massengill

House Bill 904

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR JUDGES IN THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 9-7-14, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     9-7-14.  (1)  There shall be three (3) judges for the Third Circuit Court District.

     (2)  The three (3) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two" and "Place Three." * * *  The judge to fill "Place One" must be a resident of Calhoun, Chickasaw, Lafayette or Union County.  The judge to fill "Place Two" must be a resident of Benton, Marshall or Tippah County.  The judge to fill "Place Three" may be a resident of any county in the district.

     SECTION 2.  Section 1 of this act applies to the regular judicial election to be held in November 2022 for the Third Circuit Court District, to any special election held before November 2022, and to any election that occurs thereafter for the Third Circuit Court District.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.

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