Senate Bill 2263

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO CHARGE RECIPROCAL FEES FOR A NONRESIDENT HUNTING LICENSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-8. (1) No nonresident sixteen (16) years of age or older may hunt, fish, kill, take or trap any game animal, bird or fish without having acquired and having in his immediate possession a valid license issued by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(2) The commission shall have the following duties and powers:

(a) To prescribe the forms and types of nonresident licenses that a nonresident must obtain;

(b) To determine the total number of each type of nonresident license to be issued annually;

(c) To establish fees for nonresident licenses and the collection fees for the agent issuing such licenses. * * * The fee for a nonresident all game hunting license shall not be less than Sixty Dollars ($60.00), except if a state charges Mississippi residents a higher fee, then the commission shall require an equal fee for residents of that state;

(d) To exercise all incidental powers necessary to develop a nonresident licensing program.

(3) A nonresident who violates this section or any licensing regulation of the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-21 * * *.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2002.