House Bill 976

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE VALIDATION DECAL CERTIFYING THE AWARDED NUMBER TO BE DISPLAYED ON EACH SIDE OF THE VESSEL WITHIN SIX INCHES OF THE AWARDED NUMBER; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 59-21-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATES TO CERTIFICATE FORM, DURATION AND TRANSFER OF VESSELS, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 59-21-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-21-9. (1) The number awarded shall be painted on or attached to each side of the bow of the vessel for which it was issued. The numbers shall be placed on each side of the forward half of the vessel in such position as to provide clear legibility for identification. The numbers shall read from left to right and shall be in block characters of good proportion not less than three inches in height. The numbers shall be of a color which will contrast with the color of the background and so maintained as to be clearly visible and legible, i.e., dark numbers on a light background, or light numbers on a dark background. No other number shall be carried on the bow of such vessel.

(2) In addition to the requirements for the display of the awarded number for the vessel, the validation decal certifying the awarded number shall be displayed on each side of the vessel within six (6) inches of the awarded number.

SECTION 2. Section 59-21-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

59-21-19. (1) The certificate of number shall be pocket-size, approximately two and one-half inches (2-1/2") by three and one-half inches (3-1/2"), and water resistant.

(2) Pending the issuance of the original certificate of number, the owner of the vessel may be furnished a temporary certificate of number valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issue. This temporary certificate shall be carried on board when the vessel is being operated.

(3) Each applicant for an original or transfer certificate of number, who is entitled to issuance thereof, shall be issued a certificate for a period of three (3) years from the last day of the month of receipt of the original or transfer certificate. This subsection shall not apply to the certificate of number of a livery boat.

(4) The certificate of number of a livery boat shall be plainly marked "livery boat." The description of the motor and type of fuel will be omitted from the certificate of number in any case where the motor is not rented with the boat. Original and renewal certificates of number of a livery boat shall be valid for a period of three (3) years and shall expire at midnight on June 30.

(5) Numbers and certificates of number awarded boats operated by manufacturers and dealers may be transferred from one (1) boat to another. In lieu of the description, the word "manufacturer" or "dealer," as appropriate, will be plainly marked on each certificate. The manufacturer or dealer may have the number awarded printed upon or attached to a removable sign or signs to be temporarily mounted upon or attached to the boat being demonstrated or tested so long as the display meets the requirements of Section 59-21-9.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.