MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Ellington

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-17-58, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PENALTY FOR LARCENY OF CRABS OR CRAB POTS; TO PROVIDE A LICENSING EXEMPTION FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-17-58, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-17-58. Every person who shall steal, remove, take or carry away crab pots, the property of another used to catch saltwater crabs from said crab pots shall be guilty of petit larceny, and on conviction shall be sentenced to serve a term in the county jail not to exceed three (3) months or be fined a sum not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) or both.

SECTION 2. People with six (6) crab traps or less who crab for recreational purposes shall be exempt from being licensed.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.