***Adopted***

AMENDMENT No. 1 PROPOSED TO

                             House Bill NO. 454

                             By Senator(s) Committee

     Amend by striking all after the enacting clause and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

 

     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), plus all reasonable expenses incurred by the person or persons in bringing suit to enforce this chapter.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.

     Further, amend by striking the title in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

 

     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.