HB 331 Summary

• Reenacts sections 13-7-1 through 13-7-49 of the Mississippi Code establishing the State Grand Jury Act, which creates a state grand jury system with jurisdiction over multi-district drug trafficking and controlled substance crimes.

• State grand juries consist of 20 members with a 15-member quorum, can meet anywhere in the state, and are impaneled by senior circuit court judges upon petition by the Attorney General for initial 12-month terms extendable up to 2 years.

• Grants state grand juries power to issue subpoenas statewide, compel witness testimony, and return indictments triable in any county where alleged conduct occurred as designated by the impaneling judge.

• Extends the repealer date on venue provisions for state grand jury indictments from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014 in Section 99-11-3 and extends the repealer on the entire State Grand Jury Act from July 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014.

• Effective July 1, 2011.