Senate Bill 2179

(COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-1-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO ENTER INTO A LEASE OR SUBLEASE AGREEMENT FOR SPACE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HEADQUARTERS BUILDING WITH A THIRD PARTY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS EMPLOYEES; TO AMEND SECTION 45-3-51, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO RETAIN A SIDEARM UPON RETIREMENT; TO AUTHORIZE A BENEFICIARY OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO RETAIN THE SIDEARM OF SUCH OFFICER OR AGENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-1-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-1-3. (1) When not otherwise specifically provided, the commissioner is authorized to make and promulgate reasonable rules and regulations to be coordinated, and carry out the general provisions of the Highway Safety Patrol and Driver's License Law of 1938.

(2) The commissioner shall have the authority to administer oaths.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with written approval from the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration, the commissioner may enter into a lease or sublease agreement for space in the Department of Public Safety headquarters building with a third party for the purpose of providing services and assistance to the department and its employees. The proceeds received from the lease under this subsection shall be paid to the State Treasurer for deposit into the General Fund.

SECTION 2. Section 45-3-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-3-51. * * * Each person employed as a law enforcement officer or agent by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety who retires under the Highway Safety Patrol Retirement System or the Public Employees' Retirement System, for superannuation or for reason of disability or a beneficiary of such * * * law enforcement officer or agent, who is killed in the line of duty shall be allowed to retain, as his personal property, one (1) sidearm which was issued under authority of Section 45-3-19 or 41-29-159. Likewise, a beneficiary of any law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty shall be allowed to retain the officer's sidearm.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the passage of this act.