MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Dawkins, Williamson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-41-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE ENFORCEMENT OF THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-41-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-41-15. (1) Any person who shall willfully and knowingly violate the provisions of this chapter shall be liable civilly in a sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), plus all reasonable expenses incurred by the person bringing the lawsuit. In addition, any public body found to be in violation of this chapter, having been assessed a civil penalty and ordered to pay reasonable expenses incurred by a person securing a judgment against it, may seek a civil judgment against the members or any one (1) of them of the public body responsible for the violation in order to recover the monies assess against the public body.

(2) The chancery courts of this state shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter and shall have jurisdiction of all civil actions brought for such purpose. Enforcement actions may be brought by citizen of the state and may include, without limitation, requests for injunctions or writs of mandamus to accomplish the purpose of this chapter.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.