MS HB922

Amends Mississippi Code Section 99-19-77 to add the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to the list of state agencies that can receive court-imposed assessments against defendants convicted of felonies investigated by that agency.

Courts may impose assessments covering reasonable investigation costs including investigators, court reporters, expert witnesses, attorney's fees, and transportation expenses, to be paid to the appropriate governmental entity.

Authorizes the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to assess administrative civil penalties against enclosure owners or operators who violate regulations regarding wildlife enclosures, with penalties calculated to offset investigation costs including DNA testing, disease testing, biological sample collection, and fuel costs.

Administrative penalties may be assessed by commission order when no criminal prosecution occurs, or submitted to court as part of criminal sentencing; the department may enforce unpaid penalties through court action.

All proceeds from assessments and penalties must be deposited into the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund, with funds remaining at fiscal year-end carrying over rather than reverting to the General Fund; effective July 1, 2014.