Theft of street, road or highway signs; provide penalties for.
In addition to defining the penalties, HB452 amends Section 97-17-71 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to include street, road, and highway signs in the list of prohibited metals that scrap metal dealers cannot purchase. This amendment aims to limit the sale of stolen traffic signs and reduce the incentive for theft. The bill prevents local governments from enacting conflicting regulations regarding the purchase of such signs, thereby centralizing enforcement and simplifying compliance for scrap metal dealers across the state.
House Bill 452 aims to combat the unlawful removal or assisted removal of street, road, or highway signs by setting clear penalties for such actions. This legislation categorizes unauthorized removal of signs as a misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $1,000 for lesser offenses. However, if the aggregate value of the removed signs exceeds $1,000 but is less than $5,000, the offense escalates to a felony, which can result in imprisonment of up to five years and fines up to $10,000. The intent is to protect public property and maintain safety on the roads.
The bill has generated some discussion regarding the balance between state mandates and local control. Critics argue that the preemption of local ordinances undermines municipalities' rights to regulate issues specific to their jurisdictions, particularly in terms of addressing local safety concerns and defining appropriate punishment levels. Proponents, however, assert that a uniform approach is necessary to effectively deter the removal of traffic signs and streamline the enforcement of penalties throughout Mississippi.