House Bill 1681

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF HINDS COUNTY TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL COURT COSTS IN CERTAIN CASES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING A DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM OR SIMILAR PROGRAM IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The Board of Supervisors of Hinds County, Mississippi, in its discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may require the imposition of the following additional court costs in the justice, county and circuit courts situated within the county:

(a) Upon each person convicted under the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, the Controlled Substances Law or for illegally selling or purchasing alcoholic beverages, light wine or beer, the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00); and

(b) Upon each person convicted of any misdemeanor other than those specified under paragraph (a) of this subsection, the amount of Five Dollars ($5.00).

(2) The resolution adopted by the board of supervisors shall include a statement of the board's intent to impose the additional court costs, the purpose therefor and the date on which the courts will begin to impose the additional court costs.

(3) The avails of any additional court costs imposed under subsection (1) of this section shall be used to fund the implementation of a Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or similar program designed to deter the abuse of drugs in the county school district and/or any separate school district that encompasses territory within Hinds County and any adjoining county or counties, as specified in the resolution. The board of supervisors shall determine, in its discretion, if it will contribute funds and the amount thereof, if any, for such a program in a separate school district that encompasses territory within an adjoining county or counties.

(4) Upon the adoption of the resolution stating its intent to impose the additional court costs, the board of supervisors shall provide for the creation of a special county fund in which all court costs collected under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited. Monies in the special fund shall be used for the sole purpose of defraying the costs of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or similar program.

(5) The clerks of the respective courts shall deposit and account for the additional court costs collected under subsection (1) of this section in the same manner as fines collected in those courts.

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