Senate Bill 2781

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-1-37, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT GAME MAY BE DONATED TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT PREPARE FOOD FOR PRISONERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-1-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-1-37. The edible portions of all game or fur-bearing animals, game birds, and fish seized under the provisions of this chapter or any other law for the protection of wild animals, birds, or fish, shall be disposed of by the department or under its direction toneedy recipients, charitable institutions * * * within the state and to local law enforcement agencies having facilities to prepare food for prisoners. Skins or pelts of fur-bearing animals, taken illegally, may be seized and sold by order of the department, and the funds received for same shall be paid into the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund. Nongame birds, fish and animals or parts thereof, and the plumes or skins of game birds of foreign species shall be disposed of by the department, or under its direction, by gift to scientific institutions, or, in the discretion of the department, they shall be kept by it for scientific or educational purposes, or may be destroyed. The officer disposing of any such animals, birds, fish or parts thereof, shall take a receipt from the donee for any such gift, which receipt shall be filed in the office of the department, and the department shall keep a permanent record of such gifts.

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