Senate Bill 2074

AN ACT TO CREATE THE ILLEGAL ACT OF FAILURE TO DISCLOSE A PERSONAL GIFT FROM A LITIGANT TO ALL OTHER LITIGANTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. It shall be unlawful for the judge of a county, circuit or chancery court, judge of the Court of Appeals, or justice of the Supreme Court who has received a personal monetary gift in excess of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) from any litigant appearing before that judge or justice to act in any capacity in a case involving that litigant unless the gift has been disclosed to all litigants in the matter. Violation of this section shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections not to exceed five (5) years.

SECTION 2. 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 3. 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.