MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Game and Fish

By: Representative Flaggs

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL CONSERVATION OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS SHALL BE CONSIDERED AS LICENSE AGENTS AND MAY SELL HUNTING, TRAPPING AND FISHING LICENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-17. (1) The department may provide for the appointment of persons as license agents to sell license certificates for hunting, trapping or fishing as authorized under Section 49-7-21.

The department may, by administrative rule, establish qualifications, standards and regulations for such license agents. However, all conservation officers employed by the department shall be considered as license agents and may sell hunting, trapping and fishing licenses.

(2) Each license agent shall be required to be covered under a surety bond. The department may establish, by administrative rule, the procedures for the bonding of its license agents, which procedures may include the implementation of a blanket bonding system. All premiums for surety bonds required under this section shall be at the expense of the license agents. Provided, however, that as an alternative to entering into a bond, as required by this section, any person who shall engage as a licensed agent to sell license certificates for hunting, trapping or fishing as authorized under Section 49-7-21 subject to the same conditions of conduct required for bonds, may deposit with the State Treasurer the equivalent amount of the bond required for that particular person in cash or securities. The only securities allowable for this purpose are those which may legally be purchased by a bank or for trust funds having a market value not less than that required bond. The commission shall file notice with the Treasurer for any violation of the conditions of the cash or security deposit.

(3) Any officer or person authorized to issue any hunting or fishing license or permit or any combination game and fish license under the laws of this state shall have the power and authority to collect and retain for the issuance of such license the sum of One Dollar ($1.00), in addition to the license fee provided by law, when such license or permit is sold to a resident of this state. The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks is authorized, in its discretion, to contract with license agents for services rendered for an additional amount, not to exceed One Dollar ($1.00), in addition to the license fee provided by law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.