MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Wildlife and Fisheries

By: Senator(s) Posey

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT VESSELS WITH ALTERED IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS ARE SUBJECT TO FORFEITURE IF OWNERSHIP CANNOT BE DETERMINED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 59-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-21-33. All vessels, outboard motors, boats and trailers having awarded numbers or identification numbers or marks which have been removed, changed, mutilated or defaced contrary to this chapter are subject to forfeiture. Any such property shall be seized by any conservation officer or enforcement officer of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, or other officer of the law including any sheriff or deputy sheriff. If ownership of the seized property cannot be determined, the property shall be contraband and subject to forfeiture. Upon the seizure of such property, forfeiture proceedings shall be instituted pursuant to Sections 49-7-251 through 49-7-257. Provided, however, that any such property which has previously been registered or titled within the State of Mississippi is not subject to forfeiture if the application for registration or title contained no false or fraudulent information, or if the property seized has a value less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).

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