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Ocean Springs aldermen vote to opt out of state 'safe solicitation' law, ask city attorney to draft local ordinance
Summary
The Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen voted to opt out of House Bill 1197(the state "safe solicitation" law) and asked the city attorney to draft a local ordinance that could mirror or adapt the state rules; the decision was framed as a public-safety measure and passed on the record.
The Ocean Springs Board of Aldermen voted to opt out of the state"safe solicitation" law (House Bill 1197) and directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance that would let the city adopt a local, mirror version if necessary.
Why it matters: Under HB 1197 municipalities must act to opt out by the statutory deadline or be subject to the staterequirements for solicitation. Aldermen said the choice affects pedestrian safety and whether solicitors from outside municipalities could appear at busy intersections on Highway 90 and other arterial streets.
Discussion and motion: Alderman David raised the statutory deadline and said that if the city does not opt out it would automatically fall under the state framework. He told the board the concern was practical: "If they don't opt out and we do, we're going to have an influx of people coming here to solicit," (Alderman David). The police chief noted the city already enforces a pedestrian-safety ordinance enacted last year and said the department has been working to keep people away from hazardous intersections.
Alderman Kenton proposed a motion asking the board to officially opt out and to have the city attorney draft a local ordinance that would allow Ocean Springs to adopt a tailored version in the future. The chair recorded the motion on the floor; Alderman Hinton formally moved the opt-out and Alderman Blackman seconded. The board voted in favor on the record.
Implementation and next steps: Board members asked staff and the city attorney to prepare draft ordinance language, and the chair noted the timing tightens toward the January deadline. Several aldermen said the resulting local ordinance could mirror the state law but be modified to reflect local public-safety practices and existing city ordinances.
What the record shows: The transcript records discussion of HB 1197, concerns about pedestrian safety on Highway 90, the chief's comment that the citypedestrian ordinance is already used for enforcement, a motion to opt out, and a recorded vote in favor. No public comment opposing the opt-out was recorded in the meeting minutes.
