Sen. Jason Barrett introduces bill to ban squatted vehicles
Published 1:23 pm Monday, February 5, 2024
- Sen. Jason Barrett
JACKSON — True to his word, Lincoln County State Senator Jason Barrett introduced legislation to ban squatted vehicles in Mississippi Monday. He told The Daily Leader ahead of the 2024 Legislative Session he planned to introduce a bill to do so although he didn’t see it as a major issue compared to healthcare, education, tax cuts and infrastructure.
Senate Bill 2250 would impose restrictions on vehicle modifications which result in vehicle front fenders being raised more than four or more inches greater than the height of the rear fenders. SB2250 provides for the manner of measuring the vehicle’s height, defines relevant terms and provides penalties for violations. Squatted vehicles are defined in the bill as being modified to where the vehicle is squatting on its back tires.
Anyone who violates this prohibition of squatted vehicles would be subject to a $100 fine for the first offense, $200 fine for the second offense, $300 fine for the third or subsequent offense and their drivers license would be suspended for 12 months.
Offenses occurring within five years of each other would constitute a prior offense. Penalties would be imposed 180 days after the effective date. For the first 180 days, officers with state, county and city agencies would issue warning tickets for the violation.
If passed, SB2250 would go into effect on July 1, 2024. Three other senators joined Barrett in authoring the bill.
Barrett’s bill was referred to the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.
Check back for more updates on Mississippi’s 2024 Legislative Session.