Senator Kelvin Butler is Chairman of the Local & Private committee. He also serves on the Business & Financial Institutions; Finance; Judiciary, Division A; Municipalities; State Library; Highways & Transportation and Tourism committee.
Two Mississippi Senate bills that have gained national attention will help protect the lives of teenagers during the Christmas holiday season. Senate Bill 2616 makes it illegal to sell or give alcohol to a person under the age of 21, setting out a punishment of up to $1,000 for a first offense conviction. Subsequent convictions carry a maximum fine of $2,000, a year in prison and loss of business permit.
Senate Bill 2280 increases by six months, the time required for an intermediate and beginning driver to obtain a permanent license, giving them more time to learn from an experienced driver and develop safer driving skills. It also bans text messaging by intermediate and beginning drivers.
Mothers against Drunk Driving and Students Against Destructive Decisions have both endorsed the bills. Robin Layton, Mississippi SADD Coordinator, said Senate Bill 2280, authored by District 38 Senator Kelvin Butler, is needed. Both went into effect on July 1.
“Teens need the extra time behind the wheel. This will enable them to drive in all types of weather conditions prior to driving by themselves. Parents need to take time out and let the students drive as much as possible. Just because they drive well a few times, does not give them knowledge to handle every situation that might occur while they are behind the wheel,” Layton said.
“This affects me personally. My step-son is one of those young drivers that now have to wait until he is 16 for his immediate license. I would rather have to drive him around another six months than to be without him a lifetime due to inexperience.”
Butler said the intent was to save lives. “When we passed this bill I knew that it was the right thing to do. I knew that this bill would save lives and it would benefit our young people. During the holiday season, we hope and pray that more lives will be saved because of this legislation,” Butler said.
Emily Booth, a member of the Mississippi Student Advisory Board of and SADD President at Richland High School, said safe driving should be everyone’s priority. “I agree with Senate Bill 2616. Personally, I feel that if you are underage and you try to purchase liquor you should be severely punished. If a teen is fined, they will seriously think twice about using a fake id. This will lessen the teen fatalities caused by alcohol,” Booth said.
Shantay D. Griffith, Mississippi Youth Program Specialist, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said the organization will urge law enforcement to be aggressive in pushing enforcement of Senate Bill 2616, which was authored by District 30 Senator Dean Kirby of Pearl.
“This bill not only hold parents responsible for underage drinking consumption, but it also holds youth accountable for their actions. I travel to many schools educating students regarding the effects of underage drinking. It is vital that we as citizens support this bill. Children should be made aware, if you choose to drink and are underage, you will literally have to “Pay the Price”. This is all with the intent of saving our children lives,” Griffith said.”
