MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Judiciary; Interstate and Federal Cooperation

By: Senator(s) Rayborn

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-10-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE NONRESIDENT TRAFFIC VIOLATION COMPACT WILL NOT APPLY TO RESIDENTS OF THOSE STATES WHOSE LICENSING AUTHORITIES CONSISTENTLY FAIL TO SUSPEND THE DRIVERS' LICENSES OF THEIR MOTORISTS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC CITATIONS ISSUED BY MISSISSIPPI HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-10-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-10-1. As used in this chapter:

(a) "State" means a state, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

(b) "Reciprocating state" means any state which extends by its laws to residents of Mississippi, substantially the same rights and privileges as provided for by this chapter; however, "reciprocating state" shall not include any state which consistently fails to suspend the drivers' licenses of its licensed motorists, as required in this chapter, when duly notified by the licensing authority of this state of the noncompliance by such motorists with traffic citations issued to such motorists by Mississippi highway patrol officers.

(c) "Citation" means any citation, ticket or other document issued by a state highway patrol officer for the violation of a traffic law, ordinance, rule or regulation, ordering the alleged offender to appear.

(d) "License" means any operator's or chauffeur's permit or license, or any other license or permit to operate a motor vehicle issued under the laws of this state or a reciprocating state including:

(i) Any temporary or learner's permit;

(ii) The privilege of any person to operate a motor vehicle whether or not such person holds a valid license; and

(iii) Any nonresident's operating privilege conferred upon a nonresident of a state pertaining to the operation by such person of a motor vehicle in such state.

(e) "Collateral" or "bond" means any cash or other security deposited to secure an appearance for trial following the issuance of a citation by a state highway patrol officer for the violation of a traffic law, ordinance, rule or regulation.

(f) "Personal recognizance" means a signed agreement by an alleged offender that he will comply with the terms of a court's directive as the result of a traffic citation served him.

(g) "Nonresident" refers only to a person who is a resident of or holds a drivers license issued by a reciprocating state.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.