MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A

By: Representative Eads, Pierce, Warren

House Bill 853

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 8 OF HOUSE BILL NO. 19, THIRD EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF 2002, TO REVISE THE ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES IN CIVIL ACTIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 8 of House Bill No. 19, Third Extraordinary Session of 2002, is amended as follows:

     Section 8.  Civil actions in circuit * * * and county court shall not be assigned to a judge until at least one (1) defendant has filed a responsive pleading.  However, any necessary preliminary matters may be decided by a judge on a separate rotating basis before assignment of the action to a particular judge.

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