Senate Bill 2558

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF THE CITY OF KOSCIUSKO, MISSISSIPPI, TO PAY CERTAIN AMOUNTS FROM THE PROCEEDS OF COURT COSTS AND FINES IN CERTAIN CASES FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING A DRUG ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION PROGRAM OR SIMILAR PROGRAM IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR FOR FUNDING OTHER DRUG-RELATED ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The governing authorities of the City of Kosciusko, Mississippi, in their discretion, by resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes, may pay from the proceeds of court costs or fines imposed in its municipal court:

(a) Upon each person convicted under the Controlled Substances Law, up to the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00).

(b) Upon each person convicted under the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, up to the amount of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00).

(c) Upon all moving traffic violations, except for violations of the seat belt law (Section 63-2-1), up to the amount of Three Dollars ($3.00).

(d) Upon all alcohol offenses, except for violations of the Mississippi Implied Consent Law, up to the amount of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00).

(e) Upon all other misdemeanors, except for violations of the Mississippi Juvenile Tobacco Access Prevention Act of 1997, up to the amount of Five Dollars ($5.00).

(2) The resolution adopted by the governing authorities shall include a statement of the board's intent to pay such amounts, the purpose therefor and the date on which the municipal court will begin to make such payments.

(3) The amounts paid pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall be used exclusively to fund the implementation of a Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or similar program designed to deter the abuse of drugs in the Kosciusko Municipal Separate School District or for other drug-related enforcement purposes as specified in the resolution required to be adopted in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) Upon the adoption of the resolution stating their intent to pay such amounts from the proceeds of court costs or fines imposed in municipal court, the governing authorities shall provide for the creation of a special city fund in which all amounts paid under subsection (1) of this section shall be deposited. Monies in the special fund shall be used for the purpose of defraying the cost of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program or similar program or other drug-related law enforcement efforts.

(5) The clerk of the municipal court shall deposit and account for the amounts paid pursuant to subsection (1) of this section in the same manner as court costs and fines collected in those courts.

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