Senate Bill 2670

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE FEES FOR CERTIFICATE OF NUMBER OF VESSELS; TO REVISE THE LENGTH OF BOAT CATEGORIES FOR FEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 59-21-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-21-25. (1) Fees for the award of certificates of number for original, transfer, renewal, livery, dealer and duplicate shall be as follows:

(a) Less than 16 feet........................ $ 10.00

(b) 16 feet but less than 26 feet............ $ 30.00

(d) 40 feet but less than 65 feet............ $108.00

(e) 65 feet and over......................... $138.00

(f) Dealer number............................ $ 60.00

(g) Duplicate................................ $ 6.00

(h) Boat inspection fee...................... $ 10.00

(2) All fees for numbers and renewal of number shall be payable to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to be deposited by the department in the State Treasury in a special fund to be designated as the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund, which shall be disbursed upon the recommendation of the department as may be appropriated by the Legislature. The State Treasurer shall release to the department such sums as are required to defray all administrative costs of the boat registration fee division of the department and to improve the law enforcement capability of the department on the inland and marine waters of the State of Mississippi and as may be budgeted by the department for the purpose of paying the cost of the administration of this chapter for education on water safety, improvement of water safety and motorboating facilities in the state, and advertising and promoting the waterways of the state. Any and all revenue over and above the actual administrative cost of implementing this act shall be used to fund salaries of additional conservation officers in all eighty-two (82) counties.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.