MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2005 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Representative Ward, Montgomery
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-140, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE TRANSPORTING OF LIVE WILD HOGS WITHIN THE STATE EXCEPT BY PERMIT ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION OF SUCH PROHIBITION SHALL BE PUNISHABLE AS A CLASS III VIOLATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 49-7-140, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-140. (1) No person may import into the state or release into the wild, any live feral hog, wild swine or Russian Boar.
(2) No person may transport within the state any live feral hog, wild swine or Russian Boar unless such person has obtained a permit for such purpose from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems appropriate with regard to the issuance of such permits and may prescribe a fee for the issuance thereof.
(3) For the purposes of this section, "feral hogs, wild swine or Russian Boar" are defined as any hog that is not a domesticated pet or livestock; and "released into the wild" is defined as being able to move about freely to adjoining land.
(4) A violation of subsection (1) of this section is a Class I violation punishable as provided in Section 49-7-141. A violation of subsection (2) of this section is a Class III violation punishable as provided in Section 49-7-101.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.