House Bill 1221

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-148, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE USE OF MOBILITY-RELATED DEVICES ON TRAILS IN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS THAT PROHIBIT THE USE OF MOTORIZED VEHICLES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE OVER THE AGE OF SIXTY YEARS, RECEIVE A SPECIAL LICENSE TAG OR PLACARD FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, OR PERMANENTLY PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA; TO AMEND SECTION 49-5-13.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATES TO WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS, TO CONFORM WITH THE PRECEDING SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-148, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-148. (1) (a) The department shall provide hunters with disabilities and persons described in paragraph (b) of this subsection (1) reasonable access to hunting areas in public wildlife management areas under its jurisdiction.

(b) The department shall allow the use of a mobility-related device for an individual who * * *is:

(i) Is over the age of sixty (60) years;

(ii) Receives a special license tag or placard for persons with disabilities under Section 27-19-56; or

(iii) Is permanently physically disabled and meets one or more of the following criteria:

* * *~~(i)~~1. Is paraplegic or hemiplegic; or

* * *~~(ii)~~2. Is unable to ambulate and requires a wheelchair, walker, leg braces, prosthesis, canes or crutches for mobility.

Any person using a mobility-related device as authorized under this paragraph (b) may use such device on trails marked "no motorized vehicles" or similar language.

(2) The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations for reasonable access for persons described in subsection (1)(b) of this section and include a definition of "hunters with disabilities" as used in this section.

SECTION 2. Section 49-5-13.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-5-13.1. (1) The department shall clearly designate and mark hiking, horseback riding and walking trails on state-owned wildlife management areas. The department shall develop and implement a safety program and regulations for the use of the trails during any gun season.

(2) The department is directed to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the USDA Forest Service to develop and implement a safety program and regulations for the use of hiking, horseback riding and walking trails during any gun season in wildlife management areas on national forest lands.

(3) Any person using mobility-related devices as authorized under Section 49-7-148 may operate the device on trails that are marked "no motorized vehicles" or similar language.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.