House Bill 157

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-13-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A CHARGE OF VIOLATING THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTION LAW SHALL BE DISMISSED IF THE DEFENDANT PRESENTS TO THE COURT ON OR BEFORE THE HEARING DATE OR THE DATE OF PAYMENT OF THE FINE A RECEIPT OR OTHER PROOF SUFFICIENT TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND A VALID INSPECTION STICKER HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-13-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-13-8. (1) A grace period for obtaining a valid inspection sticker, according to the provisions of Chapter 13, Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be granted in the following situations:

(a) Whenever a motor vehicle inspection sticker expires on a legal holiday or on a weekend, the owner of the vehicle involved shall have a grace period of three (3) days in which to obtain a valid inspection sticker.

(b) Whenever a motor vehicle inspection sticker expires while the vehicle is being repaired or restored, the owner of the vehicle involved shall have a grace period of three (3) days in which to obtain a valid inspection sticker. The period of three (3) days shall start to run from the date the owner takes possession of the vehicle after said expiration date.

(2) If the operator of a vehicle charged with a violation of this chapter for failure to have a valid vehicle inspection sticker presents to the court on or before the hearing date or the date of payment of the fine a receipt or other proof sufficient to show that the vehicle has been inspected and a valid inspection sticker issued for the vehicle, no fine, fee, penalty, assessment or court costs shall be imposed and the charge shall be dismissed.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2004.