MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Rogers

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 83-39-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE QUALIFICATION BOND REQUIREMENTS FOR BAIL AGENTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 83-39-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

83-39-7. Each applicant for professional bail agent who acts as personal surety shall be required to post a qualification bond in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) with the department beginning July 1, 1999. Any professional bail agent licensed prior to July 1, 1999, shall post an additional Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) annually with license renewal until he has a qualification bond in the amount of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00). The total qualification bond beginning July 1, 2000, being Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for all previously licensed professional bail agents. The qualification bond shall be made by depositing with the State Treasurer for the commissioner the aforesaid amount in a system established by the department. The qualification bond shall be conditioned upon the full and prompt payment of any bail bond issued by such professional bail agent into the court ordering the qualification bond forfeited. The qualification bond shall be to the people of the State of Mississippi in favor of any court of this state, whether municipal, justice, county, circuit, Supreme or other court. Should the license of any personal surety agent be terminated, the qualification bond or the remaining part thereof shall be returned to such agent upon service on the department of a proper court order from a circuit judge, in the district of his domicile, that orders the department to release the qualification bond upon sworn testimony given by the personal surety agent, that he is no longer surety on any bail bond executed by himself or any of his agents.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.