House Bill 877

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-3-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE MONETARY REWARD FROM TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT MAY BE GIVEN BY COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE CONVICTION OF ANY PERSON WHO COMMITS A CRIME OR MISDEMEANOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 99-3-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

99-3-39. (1) Boards of supervisors of the various counties of this state and the governing authorities of the municipalities, may either separately or in conjunction with each other, within their discretion, offer monetary rewards, the amount of which shall be fixed by such governing authorities and boards of supervisors, within their discretion, for information leading to the apprehension of any person subsequently convicted of any crime or misdemeanor committed within this state; information regarding the whereabouts of missing persons; the ascertaining or divulging of any information necessary or helpful for the governing or the tranquility of any municipality or county of this state or for any like purpose, provided the reward shall not exceed the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) and provided further, that the reward shall not be paid to any law enforcement officer or any employee of the governing authority offering such reward or any member of the immediate family of either.

(2) The * * * rewards authorized in this section may be paid from the general fund of the respective counties or municipalities.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.