Gov. Tate Reeves allowed SB 2263 to become law without his signature, a measure that bars Department of Marine Resources enforcement officers from stopping or boarding vessels without probable cause, the Magnolia Tribune reported.
The bill was authored by State Sen. Jeremy England, a Republican, who said in a Facebook post that constituents complained about being stopped while boating or fishing for no reason. “The requirement of probable cause before being stopped and searched is enshrined in the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” England wrote.
England said he reviewed laws in other states and found Florida has a “Boaters Rights” law that requires probable cause before stops and boardings. He also noted that Alabama passed a similar law this year, according to his post.
England told followers he has “the utmost respect” for DMR officers but said the constitutional rights of constituents and their enjoyment of state waters were important. The Magnolia Tribune reported that the conference report for SB 2263 was unanimously approved in both the state Senate and House before it went to the governor’s desk.
The governor did not give a reason for allowing the bill to become law without his signature, the Magnolia Tribune reported.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
