MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Fees, Salaries and Administration; Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Thames

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE COUNTIES WHICH PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL RADIO COMMUNICATION PROGRAM APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TO ASSESS AN ADDITIONAL SURCHARGE UPON ANY MOVING TRAFFIC VIOLATION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE SURCHARGE SHALL BE USED BY THE COUNTY TO FUND ONLY THAT COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION IN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL RADIO COMMUNICATION PROGRAM TO PURCHASE PUBLIC SAFETY WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) In addition to any other monetary penalties and any other penalties imposed by law, any county or municipality which participates in an intergovernmental radio communication program approved by the Department of Information Technology Services may assess an additional surcharge in an amount not to exceed Ten Dollars ($10.00) on each person upon whom a court imposes a fine or other penalty for each violation of Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, except offenses relating to vehicular parking or registration. The proceeds from the surcharge shall only be used by the municipality or county to fund that municipality's or county's participation in the intergovernmental radio communication program to fund public safety wireless communications systems. The proceeds from the surcharge imposed by this subsection (1) shall be paid to the municipality or county in which the violation occurred and shall be then deposited in an appropriate special account.

(2) Approval of an intergovernmental radio communication program shall be given by the Department of Information Technology Services when:

(a) The program includes the sharing of support facilities (e.g., towers, shelters, microwave, etc.) by participating entities; or

(b) The program includes the establishment of a mutual aid system using common radio frequency channels between participating entities; or

(c) The program sets forth a feasible methodology which utilizes the radio frequency spectrum in an efficient manner.

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