Senate Bill 2102

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 99-3-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE AMOUNT THAT MAY BE OFFERED BY COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES AS A REWARD FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING A CRIME OR FOR OTHER PROPER PURPOSE; 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) The governing authority of any county or municipality may either separately or in conjunction with each other, within their discretion, offer monetary rewards * * * 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. The governing authority or authorities shall fix the amount of the reward; however, the reward shall not exceed the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for information leading to the apprehension of any person subsequently convicted of the homicide of a law enforcement officer and shall not exceed the sum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for any other aforesaid information. The reward shall not be paid to any law enforcement officer or any employee of the governing authority offering the reward or any member of the immediate family of either. Before offering any reward, the governing authority of any county or municipality shall establish by resolution or ordinance a certain amount to be offered for rewards in accordance with this subsection and shall offer that amount on a consistent basis.

(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.