MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Judiciary A
By: Representative Howell
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN STATE-ISSUED LICENSES, PERMITS OR REGISTRATIONS THAT ALLOW A PERSON TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE, SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR HUNT OR FISH FOR ANY PERSON CONVICTED OF A VIOLATION OF THE UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES LAW; TO AUTHORIZE THE LICENSEE TO APPEAL THE LICENSE SUSPENSION TO THE CHANCERY CLERK; TO AMEND SECTIONS 49-7-27, 63-1-51, 63-1-57, 63-1-83, 67-1-37, 67-1-71 AND 67-3-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. In addition to other requirements necessary for holding a license, an individual who is convicted of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law also is subject to the provisions of Sections 1 through 5 of this act.
SECTION 2. As used in Sections 1 through 5 of this act, the following words and terms shall have the meanings ascribed herein:
(a) "Licensing entity" or "entity" includes the Mississippi Department of Public Safety with respect to driver's licenses, the Mississippi State Tax Commission with respect to licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks with respect to hunting and fishing licenses.
(b) "License" means a license, certificate, permit, credential, registration or any other authorization issued by a licensing entity that allows a person to operate a motor vehicle, to sell alcoholic beverages or to hunt and fish.
(c) "Licensee" means any person holding a license issued by a licensing entity.
SECTION 3. (1) The clerk of the court wherein the licensee is convicted of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law shall notify the licensing entities of such conviction. The licensing entity shall immediately suspend the licensee's license for a period of six (6) months for a first conviction and for a period of two (2) years for a second or subsequent conviction. The licensing entity shall notify the licensee of such suspension by certified mail, return receipt requested.
(2) Upon receiving the notice provided for in subsection (1) of this section the licensee may request a review with the licensing entity; however, the issue the licensee may raise at the review is limited to whether the licensee is the person convicted of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law.
(3) Within thirty (30) days after a licensing entity suspends the licensee's license after notification by the clerk of the court as provided under subsection (1) of this section, the licensee may appeal the license suspension to the chancery court of the county in which the licensee resides or to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, upon giving bond with sufficient sureties in the amount of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), approved by the clerk of the chancery court and conditioned to pay any costs that may be adjudged against the licensee. Notice of appeal shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the chancery court. If there is an appeal, the appeal may, in the discretion of and on motion to the chancery court, act as a supersedeas of the license suspension. The chancery court shall dispose of the appeal and enter its decision within thirty (30) days of the filing of the appeal. The hearing on the appeal may, in the discretion of the chancellor, be tried in vacation. The decision of the chancery court may be appealed to the Supreme Court in the manner provided by the rules of the Supreme Court. In the discretion of and on motion to the chancery court, no person shall be allowed to take any action under the authority of any license the suspension of which has been affirmed by the chancery court while an appeal to the Supreme Court from the decision of the chancery court is pending.
(4) If a license is suspended under the provisions of this section, the licensing entity is not required to refund any fees paid by a licensee in connection with obtaining or renewing a license.
(5) The requirement of a licensing entity to suspend a license under this section does not affect the power of the licensing entity to deny, suspend, revoke or terminate a license for any other reason.
(6) The procedure for suspension of a license for being convicted of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law shall be governed by this section and not by the general licensing and disciplinary provisions applicable to a licensing entity. Actions taken by a licensing entity in suspending a license when required by this section are not actions from which an appeal may be taken under the general licensing and disciplinary provisions applicable to the licensing entity. Any appeal of a license suspension that is required by this section shall be taken in accordance with the appeal procedure specified in subsection (3) of this section rather than any procedure specified in the general licensing and disciplinary provisions applicable to the licensing entity. If there is any conflict between any provision of this section and any provision of the general licensing and disciplinary provisions applicable to a licensing entity, the provisions of this section shall control.
SECTION 4. The licensing entities shall adopt regulations as necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.
SECTION 5. If a license is suspended under this act, the licensing entity may reinstate the license when the penalty period has been met and any reinstatement fees have been paid or the court may order the licensing entity to reinstate the license when it is satisfied that the penalty period as provided in Section 3 of this act has been met.
SECTION 6. Section 49-7-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-27. (1) The commission may revoke any hunting, trapping, or fishing privileges, license or deny any person the right to secure such license if the person has been convicted of the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulation thereunder. The revocation of the privilege, license or refusal to grant license shall be for a period of one (1) year. However, before the revocation of the privilege or license shall become effective, the executive director shall send by registered mail notice to the person or licensee, who shall have the right to a hearing or representation before the commission at the next regular meeting or a special meeting. The notice shall set out fully the ground or complaint upon which revocation of, or refusal to grant, the privilege or license is sought.
(2) Any person who is convicted for a second time during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months for violation of any of the laws with respect to game, fish or nongame fish or animals shall forfeit his privilege and any license or licenses issued to him by the commission and the commission shall not issue the person any license for a period of one (1) year from the date of forfeiture.
(3) Failure of any person to surrender his license or licenses upon demand made by the commission or by its representatives at the direction of the commission shall be a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as such.
(4) Any violator whose privilege or license has been revoked, who shall, during the period of revocation, be apprehended for hunting or fishing, shall have imposed upon him a mandatory jail term of not less than thirty (30) days nor more than six (6) months.
(5) The commission is authorized to suspend any license issued to any person under this chapter for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 or for being convicted for a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law as provided for in Sections 1 through 5 of House Bill No. , 2003 Regular Session. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
(6) If a person is found guilty or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to a violation of Section 49-7-95, and then appeals, the commission shall suspend or revoke the hunting privileges of that person pending the determination of his appeal.
(7) (a) If a person does not comply with a summons or a citation or does not pay a fine, fee or assessment for violating a wildlife law or regulation, the commission shall revoke the fishing, hunting, or trapping privileges of that person. When a person does not comply or fails to pay, the clerk of the court shall notify the person in writing by first class mail that if the person does not comply or pay within ten (10) days from the date of mailing, the court will notify the commission and the commission will revoke the fishing, hunting or trapping privileges of that person. The cost of notice may be added to other court costs. If the person does not comply or pay as required, the court clerk shall immediately mail a copy of the court record and a copy of the notice to the commission. After receiving notice from the court, the commission shall revoke the fishing, hunting or trapping privileges of that person.
(b) A person whose fishing, hunting or trapping privileges have been revoked under this subsection shall remain revoked until the person can show proof that all obligations of the court have been met.
(c) A person shall pay a Twenty-five Dollar ($25.00) fee to have his privileges reinstated. The fee shall be paid to the department.
SECTION 7. Section 63-1-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
63-1-51. (1) It shall be the duty of the trial judge, upon conviction of any person holding a license issued pursuant to this article where the penalty for a traffic violation is as much as Ten Dollars ($10.00), to mail a copy of abstract of the court record or provide an electronically or computer generated copy of abstract of the court record immediately to the commissioner at Jackson, Mississippi, showing the date of conviction, penalty, etc., so that a record of same may be made by the Department of Public Safety. The commissioner shall forthwith revoke the license of any person for a period of one (1) year upon receiving a duly certified record of each person's convictions of any of the following offenses when such conviction has become final:
(a) Manslaughter or negligent homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle;
(b) Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used;
(c) Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another;
(d) Perjury or the willful making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the department under this article or under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles;
(e) Conviction, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, upon three (3) charges of reckless driving committed within a period of twelve (12) months;
(f) Contempt for failure to pay a fine or fee or to respond to a summons or citation pursuant to a charge of a violation of this title.
(2) The commissioner shall revoke the license issued pursuant to this article of any person convicted of negligent homicide, in addition to any penalty now provided by law.
(3) In addition to the reasons specified in this section, the commissioner shall be authorized to suspend the license issued to any person pursuant to this article for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 or for conviction of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law as provided in Sections 1 through 5 of House Bill No. , 2003 Regular Session. The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this article, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
SECTION 8. Section 63-1-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
63-1-57. Any person whose license issued pursuant to this article or driving privilege as a nonresident has been canceled, suspended or revoked as provided in this title or in Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 or in Sections 1 through 5 of House Bill No. , 2003 Regular Session, as the case may be, and who drives any motor vehicle upon the highways of this state while such license or privilege is canceled, suspended or revoked, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than two (2) days or more than six (6) months. There may be imposed in addition thereto a fine of not less than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for each offense.
SECTION 9. Section 63-1-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
63-1-83. (1) From and after April 1, 1992, it shall be a violation of this article and the Commissioner of Public Safety shall suspend for a period of one (1) year the commercial driver's license of any person whom he determines to have committed a first violation of:
(a) Driving a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license is required under this article while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance;
(b) Driving a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license is required under this article while the alcohol concentration of the person's blood, breath or urine is four one-hundredths percent (.04%) or more;
(c) Knowingly and willfully leaving the scene of an accident involving a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license is required under this article, if the vehicle was driven by such person;
(d) Using a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license is required under this article in the commission of any felony as defined in this article; or
(e) Refusing to submit to a test to determine the driver's alcohol concentration while driving a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license is required under this article.
If any of the violations in subsection (1) of this section occurred while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the commissioner shall suspend the commercial driver's license of such person for a period of three (3) years.
(2) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall suspend the commercial driver's license of a person for life, or such lesser minimum period of time as shall be required under applicable federal law or regulations, if a person is determined to have committed two (2) or more of the violations specified in subsection (1) of this section or any combination of such violations arising from two (2) or more separate incidents. The provisions of this subsection (2) shall apply only to violations occurring on or after April 1, 1992.
(3) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall suspend for life the commercial driver's license of any person who uses a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license is required under this article in the commission of any felony involving the manufacture, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance, or possession with intent to manufacture, distribute or dispense a controlled substance. The provisions of this subsection (3) shall apply only to violations occurring on or after April 1, 1992.
(4) The Commissioner of Public Safety shall suspend for a period of sixty (60) days the commercial driver's license of any person convicted of two (2) serious traffic violations, or one hundred twenty (120) days if convicted of three (3) serious traffic violations, committed in a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver instruction permit or commercial driver's license is required under this article arising from separate incidents occurring within a period of three (3) years. The provisions of this subsection (4) shall apply only to violations occurring on or after April 1, 1992.
(5) In addition to the reasons specified in this section for suspension of the commercial driver's license, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall be authorized to suspend the commercial driver's license of any person for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 or for conviction of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, as provided in Sections 1 through 5 of House Bill No. , 2003 Regular Session. The procedure for suspension of a commercial driver's license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a commercial driver's license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a commercial driver's license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this article, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
SECTION 10. Section 67-1-37, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-1-37. The State Tax Commission, under its duties and powers with respect to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division therein, shall have the following powers, functions and duties:
(a) To issue or refuse to issue any permit provided for by this chapter, or to extend the permit or remit in whole or any part of the permit monies when the permit cannot be used due to a natural disaster or Act of God.
(b) To revoke, suspend or cancel, for violation of or noncompliance with the provisions of this chapter, or the law governing the production and sale of native wines, or any lawful rules and regulations of the commission issued hereunder, or for other sufficient cause, any permit issued by it under the provisions of this chapter; however, no such permit shall be revoked, suspended or cancelled except after a hearing of which the permit holder shall have been given reasonable notice and an opportunity to be heard. The board shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 or for conviction of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law as provided in Section 1 through 5 of House Bill No. , 2003 Regular Session. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
(c) To prescribe forms of permits and applications for permits and of all reports which it deems necessary in administering this chapter.
(d) To fix standards, not in conflict with those prescribed by any law of this state or of the United States, to secure the use of proper ingredients and methods of manufacture of alcoholic beverages.
(e) To issue rules regulating the advertising of alcoholic beverages in the state in any class of media and permitting advertising of the retail price of alcoholic beverages.
(f) To issue reasonable rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the federal laws or regulations, requiring informative labeling of all alcoholic beverages offered for sale within this state and providing for the standards of fill and shapes of retail containers of alcoholic beverages; however, such containers shall not contain less than fifty (50) milliliters by liquid measure.
(g) Subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of Section 67-1-51, to issue rules and regulations governing the issuance of retail permits for premises located near or around schools, colleges, universities, churches and other public institutions, and specifying the distances therefrom within which no such permit shall be issued. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division shall not allow the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages in or on the campus of any public school or college, and no alcoholic beverage shall be for sale or consumed at any public athletic event at any grammar or high school or any college.
(h) To adopt and promulgate, repeal and amend, such rules, regulations, standards, requirements and orders, not inconsistent with this chapter or any law of this state or of the United States, as it deems necessary to control the manufacture, importation, transportation, distribution and sale of alcoholic liquor, whether intended for beverage or nonbeverage use in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or any other statute, including the native wine laws.
(i) To call upon other administrative departments of the state, county and municipal governments, county and city police departments and upon prosecuting officers for such information and assistance as it may deem necessary in the performance of its duties.
(j) To prepare and submit to the Governor during the month of January of each year a detailed report of its official acts during the preceding fiscal year ending June 30, including such recommendations as it may see fit to make, and to transmit a like report to each member of the Legislature of this state upon the convening thereof at its next regular session.
(k) To inspect, or cause to be inspected, any premises where alcoholic liquors intended for sale are manufactured, stored, distributed or sold, and to examine or cause to be examined all books and records pertaining to the business conducted therein.
(l) In the conduct of any hearing authorized to be held by the commission, to hear testimony and take proof material for its information in the discharge of its duties under this chapter; to issue subpoenas, which shall be effective in any part of this state, requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and records; to administer or cause to be administered oaths; and to examine or cause to be examined any witness under oath. Any court of record, or any judge thereof, may by order duly entered require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books subpoenaed by the commission, and such court or judge may compel obedience to its or his order by proceedings for contempt.
(m) To investigate the administration of laws in relation to alcoholic liquors in this and other states and any foreign countries, and to recommend from time to time to the Governor and through him to the Legislature of this state such amendments to this chapter, if any, as it may think desirable.
(n) To designate hours and days when alcoholic beverages may be sold in different localities in the state which permit such sale.
(o) To assign employees to posts of duty at locations where they will be most beneficial for the control of alcoholic beverages, to remove, to dismiss, to suspend without pay, to act as a trial board in hearings based upon charges against employees. After twelve (12) months' service, no employee shall be removed, dismissed, demoted or suspended without just cause and only after being furnished with reasons for such removal, dismissal, demotion or suspension, and upon request given a hearing in his own defense.
(p) All hearings conducted by the commission shall be open to the public, and, when deemed necessary, a written transcript shall be made of the testimony introduced thereat.
(q) To adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for suspension or revocation of identification cards of employees of permittees for violations of the alcoholic beverage control laws, rules or regulations.
SECTION 11. Section 67-1-71, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-1-71. The commission may revoke or suspend any permit issued by it for a violation by the permittee of any of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated under it by the commission.
Permits must be revoked or suspended for the following causes:
(a) Conviction of the permittee for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;
(b) Willful failure or refusal by any permittee to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto;
(c) The making of any materially false statement in any application for a permit;
(d) Conviction of one or more of the clerks, agents or employees of the permittee, of any violation of this chapter upon the premises covered by such permit within a period of time as designated by the rules or regulations of the commission;
(e) The possession on the premises of any retail permittee of any alcoholic beverages upon which the tax has not been paid;
(f) The willful failure of any permittee to keep the records or make the reports required by this chapter, or to allow an inspection of such records by any duly authorized person;
(g) The suspension or revocation of a permit issued to the permittee by the federal government, or conviction of violating any federal law relating to alcoholic beverages;
(h) The failure to furnish any bond required by this chapter within fifteen (15) days after notice from the commission; and
(i) The conducting of any form of illegal gambling on the premises of any permittee or on any premises connected therewith or the presence on any such premises of any gambling device with the knowledge of the permittee.
The provisions of paragraph (i) of this section shall not apply to gambling or the presence of any gambling devices, with knowledge of the permittee, on board a cruise vessel in the waters within the State of Mississippi, which lie adjacent to the State of Mississippi south of the three (3) most southern counties in the State of Mississippi, or on any vessel as defined in Section 27-109-1 whenever such vessel is on the Mississippi River or navigable waters within any county bordering on the Mississippi River. The commission may, in its discretion, issue on-premises retailer's permits to a common carrier of the nature described in this paragraph.
No permit shall be revoked except after a hearing by the commission with reasonable notice to the permittee and an opportunity for him to appear and defend.
In addition to the causes specified in this section and other provisions of this chapter, the commission shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 or for conviction of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, as provided in Sections 1 through 5 of House Bill No. , 2003 Regular Session. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
SECTION 12. Section 67-3-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
67-3-29. (1) The commissioner shall revoke any permit granted by authority of this chapter to any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or the revenue laws of this state relating to engaging in transporting, storing, selling, distributing, possessing, receiving or manufacturing of wines or beers, or any person who shall hereafter be convicted of the unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor, or any person who shall allow or permit any form of illegal gambling or immorality on the premises described in such permit. The commissioner shall not revoke or suspend a permit of a retailer for the sale of light wine or beer to a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years until there has been a conviction of the permit holder or an employee of the permit holder for such violation.
(2) If any person exercising any privilege taxable under the provisions of Chapter 71 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall willfully neglect or refuse to comply with the provisions of such chapter, or any rules or regulations promulgated by the commissioner under authority of such chapter, or the provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall be authorized to revoke the permit theretofore issued to such person, after giving to such person ten (10) days notice of the intention of the commissioner to revoke such permit. The commissioner may, however, suspend such permit instead of revoking same if, in his opinion, sufficient cause is shown for a suspension rather than revocation. Any person whose permit shall have been revoked by the commissioner shall be thereafter prohibited from exercising any privilege under the provisions of Chapter 71 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, for a period of two (2) years from the date of such revocation. The commissioner may, however, for good cause shown, grant a new permit upon such conditions as the commissioner may prescribe. Any person whose permit shall have been suspended by the commissioner shall be prohibited from exercising any privilege under the provisions of Chapter 71 of Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972, during the period of such suspension. Failure of such person to comply with the terms of the suspension shall be cause for revocation of his permit, in addition to the other penalties provided by law.
(3) In addition to the reasons specified in this section and other provisions of this chapter, the commissioner shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 or for conviction of a violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, as provided in Sections 1 through 5 of House Bill No. , 2003 Regular Session. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or Section 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.
SECTION 13. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.