MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2005 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A; Appropriations

By: Representative Fillingane, Formby, Watson, Carlton, Davis, Dedeaux, Frierson, Lott, Pierce, Staples, Vince

House Bill 522

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-5-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CHANCELLOR FOR THE TENTH CHANCERY COURT DISTRICT; TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-42, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL JUDGE FOR THE FIFTEENTH CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 9-5-36, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     9-5-36.  (1)  There shall be four (4) chancellors for the Tenth Chancery Court District.

     (2)  For purposes of appointment and election, the four (4) chancellorships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One," "Place Two," * * * "Place Three" and "Place Four," respectively.  The chancellor to fill Place One shall be a resident of Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River or Perry County.  The chancellor to fill Place Two shall be a resident of Lamar, Marion, Pearl River or Perry County.  The chancellor to fill Place Three shall be a resident of Forrest County.  The chancellor to fill Place Four shall be a resident of Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River or Perry County.  Election of the three (3) offices of chancellor shall be by election to be held in every county within the Tenth Chancery Court District of Mississippi.

     SECTION 2.  Section 9-7-42, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     9-7-42.  There shall be three (3) judges for the Fifteenth Circuit Court District.

     SECTION 3.  The Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall submit this act, immediately upon approval by the Governor, or upon approval by the Legislature subsequent to a veto, to the Attorney General of the United States or to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in accordance with the provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.

     SECTION 4.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.