House Bill 1370

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 29-5-77, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SHALL HAVE JURISDICTION TO ENFORCE ALL STATE LAWS ON THE PROPERTIES OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUILDING AND THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM BUILDING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 29-5-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

29-5-77. The * * * Department of Finance and Administration shall have jurisdiction relative to the enforcement of all laws of the State of Mississippi on the properties set forth in Section 29-5-2, the Court of Appeals Building, the Mississippi Department of Transportation Building and the Public Employees' Retirement System Building. The Department of Finance and Administration shall, through any person or persons appointed by the Department of Finance and Administration, or through the Department of Public Safety when requested by the Department of Finance and Administration, make arrests for any violation of any law of the State of Mississippi on those grounds of or within those properties. The Department of Finance and Administration shall enforce the provisions of Sections 29-5-57 through 29-5-67, 29-5-71 through 29-5-77, and 29-5-81 through 29-5-95, and * * * prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary therefor.

When in the opinion of the Governor or, in his absence, the Lieutenant Governor, it is readily apparent that an emergency exists that the persons appointed by the Department of Finance and Administration are unable to control in the accomplishment of the provisions of Sections 29-5-57 through 29-5-67, 29-5-71 through 29-5-77, and 29-5-81 through 29-5-95 in regard to law enforcement, then the Governor, or in his absence, the Lieutenant Governor, may call upon the Department of Public Safety, members of which shall have power to arrest and detain any persons violating the provisions of those sections of law, until the person can be brought before the proper authorities for trial.

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