SB 2745

AN ACT TO ENACT THE MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM BOATER LAW; TO PROVIDE THAT NO ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR ANY AGENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS OR THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES SHALL PERFORM A VESSEL STOP OR BOARD A VESSEL FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PERFORMING A SAFETY INSPECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT A VIOLATION BASED ON THE SAFETY EQUIPMENT CARRIAGE AND USE REQUIREMENTS OF A VESSEL IS A SECONDARY OFFENSE; TO PROVIDE THAT NO ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OR ANY AGENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS OR THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES SHALL BOARD ANY VESSEL OR PERFORM A VESSEL STOP IN THIS STATE UNLESS THE OFFICER OR AGENT HAS PROBABLE CAUSE THAT A PRIMARY OFFENSE OR CRIMINAL OFFENSE HAS OCCURRED OR IS OCCURRING; TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO CREATE A "MISSISSIPPI FREEDOM BOATER" SAFETY INSPECTION DECAL FOR ISSUE AT TIME OF REGISTRATION OR RENEWAL, SIGNIFYING THAT THE VESSEL IS DEEMED TO HAVE MET SAFETY EQUIPMENT CARRIAGE AND USE REQUIREMENTS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-21-127, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.