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HB 1959

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2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 34 co-sponsors

Wayne County may add court assessments to fund and operate the new Wayne County Justice Complex, with caps of $50 per DWI/contempt and $25 per other misdemeanors or civil case, sun

Passed by indefinitely in Finance and Appropriations with letter (12-Y 2-N)
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Bill Summary · HB 1959

Summary — HB 1959 (Wayne County): Reenact & extend assessment authorizations to fund Wayne County Justice Complex

Status: Approved by Governor (Act 986; approved 2025-04-17; notification 2025-04-22)
Classification: Local and Private legislation (Wayne County, Mississippi)
Origin/Context: Reenacts and amends Chapter 958, Local and Private Laws of 2016, as amended by Chapter 910 of 2020.

Purpose / Intent

The act reenacts and amends a prior local law authorizing Wayne County’s Board of Supervisors to impose additional court assessments in Justice Court. The revenue from those assessments is dedicated to financing the construction, operation, maintenance and related needs of a new county office building to be known as the “Wayne County Justice Complex.” The bill also extends the statute’s scheduled repeal date (sunset) to July 1, 2029.

Key provisions

  • Reenacts and amends the existing local law (Chapter 958 of 2016, as amended) authorizing the Board of Supervisors of Wayne County to levy, by resolution, additional assessments in Justice Court.
  • Authorized assessment amounts (caps):
    • Up to $50.00 for each conviction or nonadjudication under the Mississippi Implied Consent Law (typically related to DWI implied-consent matters).
    • Up to $25.00 for each other misdemeanor conviction (excluding the implied-consent category) or for each civil case filed in Justice Court.
  • Use of funds: All proceeds from the additional assessments are to be expended by the Board of Supervisors for the Wayne County Justice Complex — construction, operation, maintenance and related needs.
  • Sunset/Repealer: The provision is scheduled to be repealed effective July 1, 2029 (i.e., the authority to impose these additional assessments expires on that date unless reenacted again).
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon passage (in practice, became law in April 2025).

Who is affected

  • Individuals convicted of misdemeanors in Wayne County Justice Court (they may be required to pay the additional assessment).
  • Parties filing civil cases in Wayne County Justice Court (subject to the $25 assessment cap per case).
  • Wayne County government and taxpayers — the Board of Supervisors gains a local, dedicated revenue stream for the Justice Complex project; potential fiscal impact on county budgets and services.
  • The measure applies only to Wayne County (local/private law), not statewide.

Fiscal and policy implications

  • Generates dedicated local revenue to fund a county capital/project and ongoing facility costs. The total revenue depends on the number of qualifying convictions and civil filings.
  • Increases the cost of justice-court convictions and civil filings for affected individuals (adds to court costs/assessments).
  • Temporary funding mechanism (sunset 7/1/2029) — provides a time-limited revenue source unless extended.

Additional notes

  • This act reenacts and amends previously enacted local laws from 2016 and 2020; it was advanced through the Legislature and enacted as Act 986 in April 2025.
  • Companion/related legislation: SB 926 (companion bill referenced).

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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