MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Public Utilities
By: Representatives Beckett, Sykes, Hughes, Miles, Mickens, Baria, Haney, Dixon
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 77-3-725, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI TELEPHONE SOLICITATION ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 77-3-725, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
77-3-725. The commission
may investigate alleged violations and initiate proceedings relative to a
violation of this article or any rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to
this article. Such proceedings include, without limitation, proceedings to
issue a cease and desist order, and to issue an order imposing a civil penalty
not to exceed * * * Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00)
for each violation. The commission shall afford an opportunity for a fair
hearing to the alleged violator(s) after giving written notice of the time and
place for said hearing. Failure to appear at any such hearing may result in
the commission finding the alleged violator(s) liable by default. Any
telephone solicitor found to have violated this article, pursuant to a hearing
or by default, may be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed * * * Ten
Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for each violation to be assessed and
collected by the commission. Each telephonic communication shall constitute a
separate violation.
All penalties collected by the commission shall be deposited in the special fund created under Section 77-3-721 for the administration of this article.
The commission may issue subpoenas, require the production of relevant documents, administer oaths, conduct hearings, and do all things necessary in the course of investigating, determining and adjudicating an alleged violation.
The remedies, duties, prohibitions and penalties set forth under this article shall not be exclusive and shall be in addition to all other causes of action, remedies and penalties provided by law, including, but not limited to, the penalties provided by Section 77-1-53.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.