Senate Bill 2011

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE COMPOSITION OF THE EIGHTEENTH CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT TO INCLUDE WAYNE COUNTY; TO AMEND SECTION 9-7-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE WAYNE COUNTY FROM THE TENTH CIRCUIT COURT DISTRICT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 9-7-32, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 9-7-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-7-47. [From and after January 1, 2015, this section shall read as follows:]

The Eighteenth Circuit Court District shall be comprised of the following counties:

(a) Jones County; and

(b) Wayne County.

SECTION 2. Section 9-7-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

9-7-31. [From and after January 1, 2015, this section shall read as follows:]

The Tenth Circuit Court District shall be comprised of the following counties:

(a) Clarke County;

(b) Kemper County; and

* * * ~~(d) Wayne County.~~

SECTION 3. Section 9-7-32, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

9-7-32. (1) There shall be two (2) judges for the Tenth Circuit Court District.

(2) For purposes of appointment and election, the two (2) judgeships shall be separate and distinct and denominated for purposes of appointment and election only as "Place One" and "Place Two."

SECTION 4. Candidates for the judgeships of the Tenth and Eighteenth Circuit Court Districts shall qualify and run for those offices in the judicial election to be held in November of 2014 under the districts as they will be constituted on January 1, 2015.

SECTION 5. 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 6. Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 2015, and Section 4 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 2014, if this act is effectuated under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as amended and extended.