Senate Bill 2329

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-4-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BEFORE ANY REGULATION OF THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS THAT IS PROMULGATED TO PREVENT, CONTROL OR ERADICATE DISEASE MAY BE PUNISHED BY A CRIMINAL PENALTY, THE COMMISSION MUST NOTIFY THE HOLDERS OF LICENSES THAT AUTHORIZE HUNTING AND/OR FISHING IN THIS STATE BY ELECTRONIC MAIL OR REGULAR MAIL; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-4-41, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-4-41. (1) (a) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall regulate the feeding of wild animals and game birds outside of wildlife enclosures and shall have plenary authority in matters related to such feeding of wild animals and game birds.

(b) The authority to regulate feeding shall not apply to planted food plots and natural habitat management.

(2) The commission may take any action it deems necessary and may use its emergency powers to prevent, control or eradicate disease resulting from the feeding of wild animals and game birds.

(3) A violation of this section or any regulation of the commission promulgated to prevent, control or eradicate disease is a Class II violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143; however, before a violation of any regulation of the commission may be punished under this subsection, the commission shall notify every holder of a license that authorizes hunting and/or fishing in this state of the regulation by electronic mail or regular mail.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2018.