MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Judiciary A; Appropriations

By: Representatives Barker, Byrd, DeBar, Lane, Lott, Watson

House Bill 628

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE FOR THE TWELFTH CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE JUDGESHIP SHALL COMMENCE IN 2015; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 9-7-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     9-7-35.  (1)  The Twelfth Circuit Court District shall be comprised of the following counties:

          (a)  Forrest County; and

          (b)  Perry County.

     (2)  There shall be two (2) judges for the Twelfth Circuit Court District.

     SECTION 2.  The candidates for the judgeships created under this act shall be entitled to run for that office in the judicial election prior to the commencement of the initial term of the judgeship.

     SECTION 3.  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 4.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 2015, provided that it is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.