House Bill 278

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-3-519, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE SHERIFFS AND THEIR DEPUTIES TO USE RADAR SPEED DETECTION DEVICES ON THE PUBLIC ROADS, STREETS AND HIGHWAYS WITHIN CERTAIN COUNTIES OF THE STATE; TO REQUIRE THAT OFFICERS BE TRAINED IN THE PROPER OPERATION AND CALIBRATION OF RADAR EQUIPMENT BEFORE ITS USE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-3-519, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-3-519. (1) It * * *~~shall be~~ is unlawful for any person or peace officer or law enforcement agency, except the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol, to purchase or use or allow to be used any type of radar speed detection equipment upon any public street, road or highway of this state. However, such equipment may be used:

( * * *1a) By municipal law enforcement officers within a municipality having a population of two thousand (2,000) or more according to the latest federal decennial census upon the public streets of the municipality;

( * * *2b) By any college or university campus police force within the confines of any campus wherein more than two thousand (2,000) students are enrolled;

( * * *3c) By municipal law enforcement officers in any municipality having a population in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) according to the latest federal decennial census on federally designated highways lying within the corporate limits * * *.; or

(d) By the sheriff and his deputies on any public road, street or highway outside the corporate limits of a municipality located in a county having a population of ninety-five thousand (95,000) or more according to the latest federal decennial census. The sheriff shall require that all deputies in the county be trained in the proper operation and calibration of the radar equipment before it is allowed to be used in the regular scope of the deputies' employment duties and responsibilities.

(2) The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol * * *~~will~~ shall not set up radar on highways within municipalities with a population in excess of fifteen thousand (15,000) according to the latest federal decennial census.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.