Senate Bill 2949

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-7-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW CONSERVATION OFFICERS TO OPERATE A VEHICLE WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS ON CERTAIN ROADS WHEN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-7-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-7-11. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), every vehicle upon a highway within this state during the period from sunset to sunrise and at any other time when there is not sufficient light to render clearly discernible any person on the highway at a distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead shall be equipped with lighted front and rear lamps as respectively required in Section 63-7-13 for different classes of vehicles and subject to exemption with reference to lights on parked vehicles as hereinafter stated in this chapter.

(2) A conservation officer of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may operate a vehicle owned or leased by the department between sunset and sunrise without lighted front and rear lamps upon the highways in this state only if the operation without lights is made in the performance of his duties, and will aid in the lawful arrest for any violation of the wildlife laws or regulations or will aid in determining whether a violation of the wildlife laws or regulations has or is about to be committed. For purposes of this subsection, "highways" means any road or highway in this state, except an interstate highway and a street or highway within the limits of an incorporated area.

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