Senate Bill 2266

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 41-29-156, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE SHERIFF TO COLLECT A MOTOR VEHICLE IMPOUNDMENT FEE WHEN A MOTOR VEHICLE IS IMPOUNDED BY THE SHERIFF BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO TRANSPORT ILLEGAL DRUGS; TO PROVIDE FOR DEPOSIT, DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF THE FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 41-29-156, Mississippi Code of 1972:

41-29-156. (1) The sheriff or the sheriff's authorized agent shall collect a motor vehicle impoundment fee in the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) from the owner or operator of a vehicle impounded by the sheriff because the vehicle was being used to transport illegal drugs within the county.

(2) (a) The sheriff shall establish and maintain a Sheriff's Vehicle Impoundment Fund, and all proceeds collected pursuant to this section must be deposited by the sheriff into the Sheriff's Vehicle Impoundment Fund.

(b) The sheriff must keep an account of all monies collected and all transactions of the Sheriff's Vehicle Impoundment Fund for audit by the State Auditor.

(c) All funds deposited in the fund shall be expended at the discretion of the sheriff for law enforcement purposes in the interest of the public.

(d) The establishment of the Sheriff's Vehicle Impoundment Fund and the use of the proceeds shall not diminish or take the place of any other source of income established for the sheriff or the operation of the office of the sheriff.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2016.