Mississippi

Recent Legislative Action

2009

HB203: Bans ORVs from paved roads and allows $1,000 max fine for violation (Introduced)

HB256: Requires anyone born on or after 1/1/88 to complete ORV safety course (Introduced)

HB618: Requires ORVs to register with local sheriff. Requires Department of Public Safety to establish network to help sheriffs and other law enforcement to respond immediately to complaints about ORVs and requires visible IDs on all ORVs with proceeds from fee used to create law enforcement network for responding to ORV-related complaints (Introduced)

HB751: Requires ORV registration w/ sheriff and requires state to offer free ORV safety course (Introduced)

HB996: Requires ORVs to register with state Fish and Game and for the department to establish a network for immediate response to ORV complaints. (Introduced)

HC23: Resolution encouraging families to take ORV safety course, use helemts for riders under age 16 and ride at slow speeds (2/6/09: Enrolled)

SB2108: Requires drivers license or safety certificate for all ORV riders and helmets for riders under age 16 (Introduced)

SB2167: Requires helmets for all ORV riders under age 16 (Introduced)

SB2173: Requires ORV certificates with number ID (Introduced)

SB2398: Protects landowners from liability if ORV riders are hurt while riding illegally on their property.  (Introduced)

SB2859: Prohibits ORVs on roads and streets (Introduced)

2008

SB 2716: Requires riders under age 16 to wear a helmet and take a safety training coarse. All adult riders must have a driver’s license or safety course certificate. (2/17/08: Died in committee)

SB2386: Requires helmets for child ORV riders (2/19/08: Failed to pass through Committee)

HB1357: Bans riding in public waterways, increases fines for trespass. (5/9/08: Signed into Law)HB1405: Creates $50 fee on sale of ORVs and motorcycles to pay for state's trauma care system (5/10/08: Signed into Law)

Community Voices Demand Action in Mississippi

• "I have complaints from my constituents that a lot of people on ATVs are on the county roads causing disturbances and they have no way of identifying them." -- Rep. Willie Perkins Sr., D-Greenwood, "Bill to require registration for ATVs meets opposition", The Clarion-Ledger (1/18/10)

• "We tried to be lenient with people riding four-wheelers down the sides of roads with the price of gas being what it's been. But now we're having too much abuse and safety concerns that we're going to have to crack down...We're not trying to stop people from riding four-wheelers. It's just too dangerous for them to be on the roads." -- Stan Evans, Bruce Police Chief, "Bruce Police Warn Against 4-Wheelers", Calhoun County Journal (9/24/08)

• "We have a high incidence of death, especially among young people. This happens more than people know; we don't even have a good registry to document the deaths and injuries. We're just continuing to work on this [safety] legislation. It's something that needs to be done. Certainly that tragedy that happened in the Tupelo area raises the issue again." -- Gary Tollison, State Senator of Oxford and sponser of ATV bill, "ATV wrecks rise in summer months", Daily Journal Oxford Bureau (8/10/08)

• “I have complaints from my constituents that a lot of people on ATVs are on the county roads causing disturbances and they have no way of identifying them.” -- Mississippi State Rep. Willie Perkins Sr., "State lawmakers will consider ATV legislation", Vicksburg Post (1/20/10)

• "This is really good news that the governor and legislators recognize the importance of protecting the streams... The problem is that the public is ignorant of the law. Trespassers have caused considerable damage on my land. One time I had to pull a pickup truck out of my stream with a bulldozer." -- Jim Currie, Vice President of Harrison/Hancock County Forestry Association and member of Wildlife Mississippi, "Barbour signs bill to protect waterways", Hattiesburg American (6/16/08)

• “We've had people trespassing, running over crops, running over fences, and running over places that they shouldn't be. When you run over beans and mash them in the mud, you can't pick them up with a combine, so you lose that crop." -- Tunica farmer Abbott Myers, "ATV Trespassers A Nuisance For Farmers", WPTY-TV (3/11/10)

Examples of Recent ORV-Related Law Enforcement Activity

Source: United States Forest Service

2008

• NF’s in Mississippi - On 8/8, an LEO on the Holly Springs RD responded to an ATV accident on Peeler Road. The accident victim sustained severe head injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.

• NF’s in Mississippi - On 8/9, an LEO was called to an ATV accident near Bakers Pond hiking trail. The ATV operator sustained severe head injuries and was airlifted to a hospital.

• De Soto NF - On 3/15, LEO's on the De Soto NF, with assistance from the De Soto RD contract helicopter, patrolled an area used by ATV's and issued numerous violation notices. One contact led to the arrest of a man for felony possession of crack cocaine.

Recent ORV-Related Media Coverage