Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

Mississippi House Bill HB920

Introduced
1/16/23  
Refer
1/16/23  
Engrossed
2/1/23  
Refer
2/14/23  

Caption

Radar; clarify how population is calculated.

Impact

The practical implications of this bill will primarily affect local law enforcement and municipalities across Mississippi, as it defines the legal mechanisms and population standards under which they can operate radar speed detection systems. Specifically, municipalities with populations of 2,000 or more are permitted to use radar on their roads, while college or university police forces can act within the limits of campuses with over 2,000 enrolled students. Additionally, it stipulates that municipalities that exceed 15,000 in population can enforce these measures on federally designated highways, thereby focusing traffic safety efforts where they are deemed most necessary.

Summary

House Bill 920 aims to amend the Section 63-3-519 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, providing clarifications on the calculation of population for municipalities authorized to use radar speed detection equipment. This legislation specifically sets out criteria regarding the minimum population thresholds for municipalities to deploy such technology, thus ensuring that only those cities or towns with adequate population can utilize radar for speed enforcement. The bill seeks to streamline how local governments implement traffic regulation measures, enhancing the framework within which law enforcement agencies operate in regard to speed detection.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 920 appears to be generally positive among local law enforcement and municipal authorities who see the bill as a method to improve safety measures effectively. Supporters argue that providing clearer directives on population eligibility allows for better equipped policing efforts to address traffic violations appropriately. However, there may be contentions about limiting radar use based on size, as smaller municipalities often argue that even they should have the capability to use such enforcement tools irrespective of their population size.

Contention

While the bill offers clarity on radar use, potential points of contention may arise regarding fairness and capability across diverse municipalities. Smaller towns with lower populations might feel disadvantaged or inhibited from deploying radar systems that could enhance their traffic enforcement capabilities. This raises discussions around equity in public safety resources and whether safety measures could be uniformly available to all municipalities, regardless of size, which remains a critical point for stakeholders involved in traffic safety and local governance.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

MS SB2001

Transportation; revise population threshold for radar use on public streets of municipalities to 1500.

MS HB567

Radar; revise population threshold for municipal law enforcement to use on public streets of municipality.

MS HB901

Radar; authorize use of by municipal law enforcement officers in certain municipalities with a population in excess of 7,000 on federal highways therein.

MS SB2300

Radar; authorize limited use of by sheriffs.

MS SB2029

Radar; authorize use by sheriffs and deputies.

MS SB2504

Radar; authorize limited use of by sheriffs.

MS SB2027

Radar; authorize limited use of by sheriffs.

MS SB2868

Radar; authorize limited use of by sheriffs.

MS SB2869

Radar; authorize limited use of by sheriffs.

MS SB2028

Radar; authorize limited use of by sheriffs in certain counties.

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