MS HB1222

Amends Section 49-19-3 of Mississippi Code to grant six Mississippi Forestry Commission law enforcement officers full police powers as duly sworn peace officers with authority throughout the state.

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

Authorizes officers to bear arms, investigate violations and make arrests with or without warrant for violations of state law or Forestry Commission rules, and issue citations for recklessly or negligently causing fire to burn another's lands.

Specifies that citations must be issued on uniform forms with original and at least two copies, include issuing officer name and court information, and contain provisions constituting a sworn complaint for prosecution.

Sunset provision repeals this paragraph on June 30, 2018, with the act effective July 1, 2015.