House Bill 1020

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS SHALL ISSUE SPECIAL PERMITS TO ALLOW DISABLED PERSONS TO OPERATE ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES ON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS; TO PRESCRIBE FEES FOR THE SPECIAL PERMITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Upon application by any resident of the State of Mississippi, as defined under Section 49-7-3, who holds a valid hunting license and who has a disability that limits or impairs the ability to walk, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall issue a special permit to allow such person to operate an all-terrain vehicle on any part of a wildlife management area under the jurisdiction of the commission that is open to hunting. The application shall be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that the applicant has a disability that limits or impairs the applicant's ability to walk. The commission may charge a fee of not more than Five Dollars ($5.00) for each such permit. The special permit must be in the immediate possession of such person while operating such vehicle on a wildlife management area.

(2) For the purposes of this act, the term "all-terrain vehicle" means any motorized vehicle manufactured and designed exclusively for off-road use that is fifty (50) inches or less in width, has an unladen dry weight of six hundred (600) pounds or less, travels on three (3), four (4) or more low pressure tires, has a seat designed to be straddled by the operator and uses handlebars for steering control.

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