MS HB178

Amends Section 97-17-53 to make knowing and willful theft of livestock of any value a felony punishable as larceny under Sections 97-17-41 or 97-17-43 depending on offense severity.

Requires aggregation of total livestock value obtained from an individual owner or merchant when determining the gravity of the theft offense.

Creates separate fraud offense for obtaining livestock through fraudulent conduct, practice, or representation, punishable under Section 97-17-39, with aggregated values determining severity.

Establishes that failing to make prompt payment for livestock obtained from a commission merchant or livestock owner while representing that payment would be made constitutes prima facie evidence of fraudulent conduct under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

Requires courts to order restitution including actual financial loss, lost income, court costs, attorney fees, replacement value, and other costs incurred due to livestock theft violations, effective July 1, 2013.