MS HB961

Grants six Mississippi Forestry Commission Law Enforcement Officers full police powers and status as peace officers with authority to enforce laws statewide.

Requires all officers to complete the Law Enforcement Officer's Training Academy or equivalent facility training and maintain current certification, with complete training records maintained in employee employment files.

Authorizes officers to bear arms, investigate violations, and make arrests with or without warrant for violations of Mississippi state law or Commission rules.

Empowers officers to issue citations for violations involving reckless or grossly negligent burning that causes fire to spread onto another's land, using uniform citation forms.

Takes effect July 1, 2014.