House Bill 737

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-519, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF RADAR SPEED DETECTION DEVICES BY ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ON THAT PORTION OF A PUBLIC HIGHWAY, ROAD OR STREET WITHIN THE OFFICER'S JURISDICTION DESIGNATED AS A SCHOOL ZONE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-519, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-519. (1) It is unlawful for any person or peace officer or law enforcement agency, except the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, to purchase or use or allow to be used any type of radar speed detection equipment upon any public street, road or highway of this state. However, such equipment may be used:

(a) By municipal law enforcement officers within a municipality having a population of two thousand (2,000) or more upon the public streets of the municipality;

(b) By any college or university campus police force within the confines of any campus wherein more than two thousand (2,000) students are enrolled;

(c) By municipal law enforcement officers in any municipality having a population in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) according to the latest federal census on federally designated highways lying within the corporate limits; and

(d) By any duly sworn law enforcement officer on that portion of a public highway, road or street within the officer's jurisdiction designated by signage as a school zone and giving warning to motorists by the appearance of flashing lights that speed within the school zone may be enforced with the use of radar. The location of school zone signage shall be determined by agreement of the trustees of the school district and law enforcement officials.

(2) The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol shall not set up radar on highways within municipalities with a population in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) according to the latest federal census.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2005.