Lee County; authorize assessments on convictions for maintenance to historic county courthouse.
Summary
HB1965 authorizes the Lee County Board of Supervisors, by local resolution, to impose an additional court assessment on criminal convictions in the county’s justice, county, and circuit courts. The assessment may be up to $25 per conviction generally, and up to $50 for DUI convictions under Mississippi law. The bill makes clear that these charges are in addition to any other court costs or assessments already authorized by law.
The revenue collected must be used exclusively for repairs, maintenance, and renovations of the historic Lee County Courthouse, which is designated as a Mississippi Landmark. The authorization is temporary: the local assessment authority is repealed on July 1, 2029, and the act takes effect immediately upon passage.
Impact
The bill creates a new, county-specific funding mechanism that supplements existing court assessments in Lee County and effectively shifts some courthouse preservation costs onto persons convicted in local courts. It does not amend statewide criminal penalties, but it does authorize a local government to levy and collect additional court costs tied to convictions, including a higher amount for DUI cases, and directs those funds to a designated public building project. The measure is limited to Lee County and expires in 2029 unless renewed or replaced.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill was broadly supported and not especially controversial in the Legislature. It passed the House by a wide margin, 113-1, and the Senate by 40-2, indicating strong bipartisan approval. No committee transcript is available, but the votes imply general agreement with the courthouse preservation purpose and the local funding approach.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the policy of funding courthouse repairs through criminal conviction assessments, which places the cost on defendants rather than on general county revenues or other taxpayers. The higher assessment for DUI convictions may also draw attention because it treats that offense differently from other convictions. Even so, the near-unanimous votes suggest that any objections were limited and did not prevent passage.