3/6/06-A bill that sought to allow sheriff’s deputes in Mississippi to use speed radar has died.
The bill remained in the House Transportation Committee Feb. 28, the deadline for Senate bills to advance to the full House. It passed the Senate in February.
Sponsored by Sen. Gary Tollison, D-Oxford, SB2442 sought to set up a two-year pilot program that would permit sheriffs in 28 counties throughout the state to use radar to enforce speed limits on rural roads.
Currently, Mississippi restricts the use of radar-speed-detection equipment to the Mississippi Highway Patrol and city police departments. Cities with populations less than 2,000 are prohibited from using radar on their public streets while cities of more than 15,000 can use radar on federal highways within their boundaries.
Counties included in the pilot program were: Adams, Coahoma, Copiah, Clay, DeSoto, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Forrest, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lee, Leflore, Lafayette, Lowndes, Madison, Neshoba, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Pearl River, Pike, Quitman, Rankin, Tunica, Warren, Washington and Winston.

2/9/06-The Senate approved a bill Feb. 8 that would expand speed radar use. The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.
Sponsored by Sen. Gary Tollison, D-Oxford, SB2442 would set up a two-year pilot program that would permit sheriffs in 28 counties throughout the state to use radar to enforce speed limits on rural roads.
Currently, Mississippi restricts the purchase and use of radar-speed-detection equipment to the Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol and the counties of Harrison and Lowndes. Law enforcement agencies in cities with populations less than 2,000 are prohibited from buying or using radar.
Counties included in the pilot program are: Adams, Coahoma, Copiah, Clay, DeSoto, Harrison, Hinds, Jackson, Forrest, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lee, Leflore, Lafayette, Lowndes, Madison, Neshoba, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Pearl River, Pike, Quitman, Rankin, Tunica, Warren, Washington and Winston.
For bill status, call (601) 359-3719.