Lawmakers ask whether local 'Local and Private' court fees would stay with counties or go to driver-education fund

Senator Tate pressed Senator Mike Thompson on how SB 2614 would interact with recent 'Local and Private' measures that add an extra $25 per misdemeanor or additional fees in justice court. He asked whether that $25 would be collected alongside any ticket under SB 2614 and whether it would be deposited in the driver-training penalty assessment fund or retained by the county.

Senator Thompson said his initial impression is the additional locally authorized assessment would remain with the county because it is authorized by separate legislation, but he agreed to consult counsel to clarify how such fees would track against the bill’s routing of fines to the Mississippi Department of Education.