Senate Bill 2965

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-41-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE ENFORCEMENT PROVISIONS FOR 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. The chancery courts of this state shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter upon application of any citizen of the state, and shall have the authority to issue injunctions or writs of mandamus to accomplish that purpose. If the court finds that a public body has willfully and knowingly violated the provisions of this chapter, the court may impose a civil penalty upon the public body in a sum not to exceed One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). The court may also impose on the public body an amount not to exceed the total of all reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by the person or persons in bringing the suit.

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