MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Representative Bounds
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-147, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF UNMANNED SYSTEMS TO CONDUCT VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OF OR TO INTERFERE WITH A PERSON ENGAGED IN LAWFUL HUNTING OR FISHING ACTIVITIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 49-7-147, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-147. (1) No person shall intentionally:
(a) Interfere with or attempt to prevent the lawful taking of wildlife by another;
(b) Attempt to disturb
wildlife, or attempt to affect their behavior with the intent to prevent their
lawful taking by another; * * *or
(c) Harass another
person who is engaged in the lawful taking of wildlife or in the preparation
for such taking * * *;
or
(d) Use an unmanned system to conduct video surveillance of a person lawfully engaged in any hunting, trapping or fishing activities, or in violation of paragraphs (a) through (c) of this subsection. For purposes of this section, "unmanned system," means any mechanical aircraft, overland vehicle or watercraft that is pilotless and is either remotely and fully controlled from another location or programmed and fully autonomous.
(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a Class II violation, punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2015.