MHP will have more authority beginning July 1

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On Wednesday, Governor Tate Reeves signed into law Senate Bill 2788.

The legislation expands Mississippi Highway Patrol’s enforcement authority inside municipalities with populations above 15,000.

It authorizes patrols to run radar and enforce traffic laws on state and federally funded roadways inside these jurisdictions.

The legislation was introduced by State Senator David Blount(D-District 29) in response to a New Year’s night incident where drag racing and other incidents on Interstate 55 in Jackson obstructed traffic within a mile of the Patrol Headquarters.

The new law is to take effect starting July 1, 2021.