House Bill 758

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-13-8, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IF AN OPERATOR OF A MOTOR VEHICLE CHARGED WITH FAILURE TO HAVE A VALID VEHICLE INSPECTION STICKER PRESENTS TO THE COURT ON OR BEFORE THE HEARING DATE OR THE DATE OF PAYMENT OF THE FINE A RECEIPT OR OTHER PROOF SUFFICIENT TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED AND A VALID INSPECTION STICKER HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE, THE FINE MAY BE REDUCED TO AN AMOUNT NOT LESS THAN TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, AND ANY FEES, PENALTIES, ASSESSMENTS OR COURT COURTS MAY BE REDUCED OR WAIVED; TO AMEND SECTION 63-13-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-13-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-13-8. (1) A grace period for obtaining a valid inspection sticker, according to the provisions of Chapter 13, Title 63, Mississippi Code of 1972, shall be granted in the following situations:

(a) Whenever a motor vehicle inspection sticker expires on a legal holiday or on a weekend, the owner of the vehicle involved shall have a grace period of three (3) days in which to obtain a valid inspection sticker.

(b) Whenever a motor vehicle inspection sticker expires while the vehicle is being repaired or restored, the owner of the vehicle involved shall have a grace period of three (3) days in which to obtain a valid inspection sticker. The period of three (3) days shall start to run from the date the owner takes possession of the vehicle after said expiration date.

(2) If the operator of a vehicle charged with a violation of this chapter for failure to have a valid vehicle inspection sticker presents to the court on or before the hearing date or the date of payment of the fine a receipt or other proof sufficient to show that the vehicle has been inspected and a valid inspection sticker issued for the vehicle, a fine in an amount not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and not greater than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) shall be imposed in lieu of any other fine, and no other fine, fee, penalty, assessment or court costs shall be imposed and the charge shall be dismissed.

SECTION 2. Section 63-13-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-13-29. Except as otherwise provided in Section 63-13-8, any person violating the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) or sentenced to not more than six (6) months in the county jail, or both.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2011.