Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-757 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-757
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-757
Status: in_force

(1) Refunding bonds . The county authority may, by resolution adopted by its board of directors, issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying any of its bonds at or prior to maturity or upon acceleration or redemption. Refunding bonds may be issued at such time prior to the maturity or redemption of the refunded bonds as the board of directors deems to be in the public interest, without an election on the question of the issuance thereof. The refunding bonds may be issued in sufficient amounts to pay or provide the principal of the bonds being refunded, together with any redemption premium thereon, any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of payment of such bonds, the expenses of issue of the refunding bonds, the expenses of redeeming the bonds being refunded, and such reserves for debt service or other capital or current expenses from the proceeds of such refunding bonds as may be required by the resolution, trust indenture or other security instruments. The issue of refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the security therefor, the rights of the holders and the rights, duties and obligations of the county authority in respect of the same shall be governed by the provisions of this act relating to the issue of bonds other than refunding bonds insofar as the same may be applicable. Any such refunding may be effected, whether the obligations to be refunded shall have then matured or shall thereafter mature, either by the exchange of the refunding bonds for the obligations to be refunded thereby with the consent of the holders of the obligations so to be refunded, or by sale of the refunding bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof to the payment of the obligations proposed to be refunded thereby, and regardless of whether the obligations proposed to be refunded shall be payable on the same date or different dates or shall be due serially or otherwise.

(2) Interim notes. Borrowing by the county authority may be made by the delivery of interim notes to any person or public agency or financial institution by a majority vote of the board of directors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-7
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Forestry Commission shall keep itself informed as to the known varieties of pine beetles and other timber insect pests and diseases, the origin, locality, nature and appearance thereof, the manner in which they are disseminated, and approved methods of treatment, control and eradication. The commission shall from time to time make rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions and requirements of this section, including rules and regulations under which its employees shall (1) inspect places, timber, and timber products, and other things and substances used or connected therewith, (2) investigate, control, eradicate and prevent the dissemination of pine beetles and other timber insect pests and diseases, and (3) supervise or cause the treatment, cutting and destruction of timber or timber products and other things infested or infected therewith. The commission's employees shall have authority to carry out and execute the regulations and orders of the commission and shall have authority, under direction of the commission, to carry out provisions of this section.

(2) The Mississippi Forestry Commission and its employees shall have the authority to enter upon any and all timber lands for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section.

(3) All known varieties of pine beetles and other insect pests and diseases infesting or infecting or likely to infest or infect timber or timber products in this state shall be listed by the state forestry commission, and every such variety of pine beetle and every such insect pest or disease listed and all timber and timber products infested or infected therewith are hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

(4) Before entering upon any lands for the purpose of removing any infested or infected timber having a value in excess of one hundred dollars ($100.00), where the owner of such land will not cause the removal of such infested or infected timber, the forestry commission shall first secure an order of the chancery court in term time or in vacation authorizing the commission to effect such removal. Process on any resident owner in any such proceeding shall be served as other process, and process on any non-resident owner shall be had by mailing such process by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of such non-resident or by publication in three weekly issues of a newspaper published in the county where such timber land is located if no mailing address is known. Any hearing under provisions of this section may be set at any time five days after date of service of process, or in case of publication five days after completion of such publication.

(5) It is the purpose of this section to authorize and empower the state forestry commission to control disease or insect infections or infestations in timber and timber products within this state. It is not the purpose of this section to transfer any powers from the state plant board to the state forestry commission. Use of the word “timber” shall be deemed to refer to such trees as are normally used in the manufacture of lumber and the term “timber products” shall be deemed to refer to products manufactured from such trees normally used in the manufacture of lumber.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-325 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-325
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-325
Status: in_force

(1) The commission is authorized to suspend any license issued to any person under this chapter for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 . The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 , as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 , as the case may be, shall control.

(2) If a person does not comply with a summons or a citation or does not pay a fine, fee or assessment for violating a seafood law or regulation, the commission may revoke the applicable license of that person. When a person does not comply or fails to pay, the clerk of the court shall notify the person in writing by first-class mail that if the person does not comply or pay within ten (10) days from the date of mailing, the court will notify the commission and the commission will revoke the license of that person. The cost of notice may be added to other court costs. If the person does not comply or pay as required, the court clerk shall immediately mail a copy of the court record and a copy of the notice to the commission. After receiving notice from the court, the commission shall revoke the applicable license of that person.

(3) A person whose license has been revoked under subsection (2) of this section shall remain revoked until the person can show proof that all obligations of the court have been met.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 27-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-9
Status: in_force

(1) No regulated activity shall affect any coastal wetlands without a permit unless excluded in Section 49-27-7 . Any person proposing to conduct or cause to be conducted a regulated activity shall file an application for a permit with the commission in such form and with such information as the commission may prescribe. An application fee in an amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for residential type regulated activity and Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for commercial and industrial type related activity shall accompany each application and shall be payable to the commission. No permit shall be required for a regulated activity as defined in Section 49-27-5(c)(v) if such activity is an activity by a water dependent industry, nor shall a permit be required pursuant to Section 49-27-5(c)(v) of any individual who seeks to construct a home, fishing camp or similar structure on his own property.

(2) If the commission determines that the activity, area or entity is exempt or requires no permit, and that the activity, area or entity complies with the notification requirement and the coastal wetland policy as required under Section 49-27-7 , the commission may reduce the application fee by fifty percent (50%).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-303 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-303
Status: in_force

(1) The application of prescribed burning is a landowner property right and a land management tool that benefits the safety of the public, the environment and the economy of Mississippi. Pursuant thereto, the Legislature finds that:

(a) Prescribed burning reduces naturally occurring vegetative fuels within wild land areas. Reduction of the fuel load reduces the risk and severity of major catastrophic wildfire, thereby reducing the threat of loss of life and property, particularly in urbanizing areas.

(b) Most of Mississippi's natural communities require periodic fire for maintenance of their ecological integrity. Prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration and management of many plant and animal communities. Significant loss of the state's biological diversity will occur if fire is excluded from fire-dependent systems.

(c) Forest lands constitute significant economic, biological and aesthetic resources of statewide importance. Prescribed burning on forest land prepares sites for reforestation, removes undesirable competing vegetation, expedites nutrient cycling and controls or eliminates certain forest pathogens.

(d) The state manages hundreds of thousands of acres of land for parks, wildlife management areas, forests and other public purposes. The use of prescribed burning for management of public lands is essential to maintain the specific resource values for which these lands were acquired.

(e) Proper training in the use of prescribed burning is necessary to ensure maximum benefits and protection for the public.

(f) As Mississippi's population continues to grow, pressures from liability issues and nuisance complaints inhibit the use of prescribed burning.

(2) It is the purpose of Sections 49-19-301 through 49-19-307 to authorize and promote the continued use of prescribed burning for ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-419 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-419
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-419
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in the Mississippi Underground Storage Tanks Act of 1988 ( Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 ) shall prevent the commission from requiring any owner of an underground storage tank from taking timely and effective corrective action.

The commission may use the Pollution Emergency Fund for emergency or remedial cleanup of underground storage tank leaks when the tank owner will not take timely and effective action. In the event of the necessity for such immediate remedial or cleanup action, the commission may contract for same and advance funds from the Pollution Emergency Fund to pay the costs thereof, such advancements to be repaid to the Pollution Emergency Fund upon recovery by the commission from the tank owner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-9
Status: in_force

(1) The State Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to extend fire protection services to the Choctaw Indian lands located in Attala, Kemper, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Jones and Scott Counties, Mississippi.

(2) The State Forestry Commission is authorized to accept from the Choctaw Agency adequate compensation for fire detection and suppression, which sum may be used by the forestry commission in its fire protection work.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-419 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-419
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-419
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in the Mississippi Underground Storage Tanks Act of 1988 ( Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 ) shall prevent the commission from requiring any owner of an underground storage tank from taking timely and effective corrective action.

The commission may use the Pollution Emergency Fund for emergency or remedial cleanup of underground storage tank leaks when the tank owner will not take timely and effective action. In the event of the necessity for such immediate remedial or cleanup action, the commission may contract for same and advance funds from the Pollution Emergency Fund to pay the costs thereof, such advancements to be repaid to the Pollution Emergency Fund upon recovery by the commission from the tank owner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-100 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-100
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-100
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters of the state north of Highway 90.

(2)(a) For a first offense, a violation of this section is punishable by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00), nor more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) and the department may initiate forfeiture proceedings for the net and catch. For subsequent violations, a person is subject to a fine of not less than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and shall forfeit nets and catch. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.

(b) The penalties for a violation of this section shall not be suspended or reduced.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-64.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.1
Status: in_force

(1) The shrimp season shall open on the first Wednesday of June. The shrimp season shall be closed from January 1 until it is opened the first Wednesday of June, except south of the Intracoastal Waterway. The shrimp season shall be closed south of the Intracoastal Waterway and west of the Gulfport Ship Channel from May 1 until it is opened the first Wednesday of June, except as may be provided in subsection (2) of this section. For the purposes of this section only, that portion of the Intracoastal Waterway that extends from a point south of Long Beach to a point south of Point Clear is described as follows:

Begin at green buoy or beacon number 1 which is located approximately three (3) miles north of West Point on Cat Island, thence extending southwesterly to buoy or beacon number 4P, thence southwesterly to Pass Marianne Light, thence southwesterly to buoy or beacon number 15P at the northernmost point of Merrill Coquille, thence southwesterly to buoy or beacon number 17P, thence southwesterly to buoy or beacon number 22, thence westerly to Lighthouse Point and continuing westward following the meandering of the shoreline to the boundary line of the state.

(2) The department may open the season at an earlier or later date in designated areas only after sampling areas within its jurisdiction where shrimp may be caught for the purpose of determining the count of shrimp per pound. The department may also close certain designated areas where the shrimp count is found, by sampling, to be in excess of sixty-eight (68) per pound. If a natural or man-made disaster has the potential of adversely affecting the shrimp fishery, the department may open legal shrimping areas.

(3) The following waters are protective and staging areas for young shrimp, and are permanently closed to commercial and recreational shrimp trawling activities:

All waters north of a line beginning at a point one-half mile due South of the shoreline at the Mississippi-Alabama state boundary; thence running westerly following the meanderings of the shoreline one-half mile therefrom to Light “5” in the Bayou Casotte Channel; thence running northerly to Light “7” in the Bayou Casotte Channel; thence running westerly following the meanderings of the shoreline one-half mile therefrom to the intersection with the Pascagoula Channel; thence running northwesterly to Beacon “50” in the Pascagoula Channel; thence running southwesterly to Beacon “49” in the Pascagoula Channel; thence running in the most direct line to the northeast point of Singing River Island; thence running westerly along the north shoreline to the northwest point of Singing River Island; thence running northwesterly to a point one-half mile due south of the mouth of Graveline Bayou; thence running westerly following the meanderings of the shoreline one-half mile therefrom to Beacon “18” in the Biloxi Bay Channel; thence running northwesterly to Beacon “22” in the Biloxi Bay Channel; thence running northwesterly to Beacon “26” in the Biloxi Bay Channel; thence running westerly to Beacon “34”, exclusive of the Biloxi Channel itself; thence running westerly to Beacon “30” in the Biloxi Channel, exclusive of the Biloxi Channel itself; and thence running due South to a point on the north shore of Deer Island; thence running westerly following the north shore of Deer Island to the westernmost tip; thence running westerly in the most direct line to Biloxi Beacon “8”; thence running westerly following the meanderings of the shoreline at a distance of one-half mile therefrom to a point on the centerline of the CSX Railroad Bridge over St. Louis Bay; thence running westerly along the centerline of said bridge to a point one-half mile south of the western abutment; thence running southwesterly following the meanderings of the shoreline, at a distance of one-half mile therefrom, to a point one-half mile due East of the mouth of Bayou Caddy; thence running due West to the mouth of Bayou Caddy; thence running southwesterly following the meanderings of the shoreline to the southernmost point of the Mississippi shoreline on the east bank of the mouth of the Pearl River thence following the meanderings of the east bank of the Pearl River to a point where the east bank of the Pearl River intersects the centerline of the Highway 90 bridge; thence westerly along the centerline of the Highway 90 bridge to a point that intersects the Mississippi-Louisiana state boundary.

(4) The redesignation of beacon numbers by the United States Coast Guard shall not alter the description of the boundary described in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-165 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-165
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-165
Status: in_force

The fee for each stamp issued under Sections 49-7-161 through 49-7-173 shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-755 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-755
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-755
Status: in_force

(1) Sections 49-17-753 through 49-17-771 apply to all bonds to be issued after April 18, 2006, and such provisions shall not affect, limit or alter the rights and powers of any county authority under this act or any law of Mississippi to conduct the activities referred to herein in any way pertinent to the interests of the bondholders, including, without limitation, such county authority's right to charge and collect rates, fees and charges and to fulfill the terms of any covenants made with the registered owners of any existing bonds, or in any other way impair the rights and remedies of the registered owners of any existing bonds, unless provision for full payment of such bonds, by escrow or otherwise, has been made pursuant to the terms of the bonds or the resolution, trust indenture or security interest securing the bonds.

(2) The county authority shall have the power and is hereby authorized, from time to time, to borrow money and to issue revenue bonds and interim notes in such principal amounts as the county authority may determine to be necessary to provide sufficient funds for achieving one or more of the purposes of this act, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to defray all the costs of the project, the cost of the acquisition, construction, improvement, repair or extension of a system, or any part thereof, whether or not such facilities are owned by the county authority, the payment of interest on bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act, establishment of reserves to secure such bonds and payment of the interest thereon, expenses incident to the issuance of such bonds and to the implementation of the county authority's system, and all other expenditures of the county authority incident to or necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this act.

(3) Before issuing bonds, other than interim notes or refunding bonds as provided in Section 49-17-757 , the board of directors of the county authority shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to issue such bonds and stating the maximum principal amount of bonds proposed to be issued, a general generic description of the proposed improvements and the proposed location thereof and the date, time and place at which the board of directors proposes to take further action with respect to the issuance of such bonds. The resolution of the county authority shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper having a general circulation within the geographical limits of all of the public agencies which have contracted with the county authority pursuant to this act.

(4) Bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act shall be payable from and secured by a pledge of all or any part of the revenues under one or more contracts entered into pursuant to this act between the county authority and one or more of its contracting public agencies and from all or any part of the revenues derived from the operation of any designated system or any part or parts thereof and any other monies legally available and designated therefor, as may be determined by such county authority, subject only to any agreement with the purchasers of the bonds. Such bonds may be further secured by a trust indenture between such county authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having powers of a trust company without or within the state.

(5) Bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act shall be authorized by a resolution or resolutions adopted by a majority affirmative vote of the total membership of the board of directors of the county authority. Such bonds may be issued in series, and each series of such bonds shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates (not exceeding the maximum rate set out in Section 75-17-103, Mississippi Code of 1972 ), be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form, carry such conversion privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner and by such officers, be payable from such sources in such medium of payment at such place or places within or without the state, provided that one such place shall be within the state, and be subject to such terms of redemption prior to maturity, all as may be provided by resolution or resolutions of the board of directors. The term of such bonds issued pursuant to this act shall not exceed forty (40) years.

(6) Bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act may be sold at such price or prices, at public or private sale, in such manner and at such times as may be determined by such county authority to be in the public interest, and such county authority may pay all expenses, premiums, fees and commissions which it may deem necessary and advantageous in connection with the issuance and sale thereof.

(7) Any pledge of earnings, revenues or other monies made by the county authority shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made. The earnings, revenues or other monies so pledged and thereafter received by such county authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against such county authority irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded.

(8) Neither the members of the board of directors nor any person executing the bonds shall be personally liable on the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

(9) Proceeds from the sale of bonds of the county authority may be invested, pending their use, in such securities as may be specified in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust indenture securing them, and the earnings on such investments applied as provided in such resolution or trust indenture.

(10) Whenever any bonds shall have been signed by the officer(s) designated by the resolution of the board of directors to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officer(s) prior to the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the manual or facsimile signatures of such officer(s) upon such bonds shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially executing such bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the same to the purchaser or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear.

(11) The county authority has the discretion to advance or borrow funds needed to satisfy any short-term cash flow demands or deficiencies or to cover start-up costs until such time as sufficient bonds, assets and revenues have been secured to satisfy the needs of the county authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 27-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is authorized and directed to designate the Danzler Tract, nine hundred twenty-five (925) acres located in the Pascagoula River Marshes in Jackson County, Mississippi, acquired in 1997 with funds obtained by Secretary of State Eric Clark as trustee of the public trust tidelands and part of the Mississippi Coastal Preserves Program, as the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” in honor of his role in the development of the program.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in conjunction with the Office of Secretary of State are further authorized to erect appropriate markers and signs indicating the location of the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” and other pertinent information on the mission, trail systems and visitor guidelines relating to the Mississippi Coastal Plain.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 25-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-5
Status: in_force

(a) The term “junk” shall mean old or scrap copper, brass, rope, rags, batteries, paper, trash, rubber debris, waste, or junked, dismantled or wrecked automobiles, or parts thereof, iron, steel, and other old or scrap ferrous or nonferrous material.

(b) The term “automobile graveyard” shall mean any establishment or place of business which is maintained, used, or operated for storing, keeping, buying or selling wrecked, scrapped, ruined or dismantled motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts.

(c) The term “junkyard” shall mean an establishment or place of business which is maintained, operated, or used for storing, keeping, buying or selling junk, or for the maintenance or operation of an automobile graveyard, and the term shall include garbage dumps and sanitary fills.

(d) “Interstate system” means that portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways located within this state, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated, by the state highway commission, and approved by the secretary of commerce, pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highway.”

(e) “Primary system” means that portion of connected main highways, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated, by the state highway commission, and approved by the secretary of commerce, pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-80 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-80
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-80
Status: in_force

(1)(a) All vessels to be used in catching or transporting fish in the waters of the State of Mississippi for commercial purposes shall, before beginning operations, obtain an annual license from the commission and pay a license fee according to the following schedule:

(i) All resident vessels engaged in commercial hook and line or gig fishing shall be issued an annual license by the commission at a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). All nonresident vessels engaged in commercial hook and line or gig fishing shall be issued an annual license by the commission at a fee of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00). Each individual engaged in commercial hook and line or gig fishing must obtain a commercial fisherman license subject to the following license fees: One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for a resident commercial fisherman license; or Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) for a nonresident commercial fisherman license. If a duly licensed commercial hook and line or gig fishing vessel is engaged in commercial fishing, each individual aboard must possess a commercial fisherman license.

(ii) A resident fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or a nonresident fee of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00), on boats using trammel nets, gill nets or seines not more than one thousand two hundred (1,200) feet in length.

(b) Beginning September 15, 1994, no nonresident shall be issued a commercial fishing license under this chapter for the taking of fish using any type of net if that nonresident's state of domicile prohibits the issuing of commercial fishing licenses to residents of this state to engage in like activity.

(2) Each factory or manufacturing establishment engaging in the manufacture of oil, fish scrap, fish meal, fertilizer or other products from menhaden, shall pay a license fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(3) Each boat or vessel engaging in the catching, taking or transporting menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi, the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and shall pay Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on each net, seine, trawl or purse net used in catching or taking menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-111 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-111
Status: in_force

For the purpose of providing assistance to all farm woodland and timber landowners in the state, including private ownership, and to promote the growing, managing and harvesting of timber thereon, and to provide organized forest fire protection in all counties, and to encourage the production and growth of timber on all lands suitable therefor, and for the better management thereof, and to encourage greater private ownership and promote forest education and timber management and forest fire control, the State Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to carry out the provisions of Sections 49-19-111 through 49-19-117 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-85 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-85
Status: repealed

The provisions of Sections 49-5-61 to 49-5-85 are cumulative, and no existing provision of law is hereby repealed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-729 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-729
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-729
Status: in_force

(1) All powers of the Harrison County Utility Authority shall be exercised by a consolidated board consisting of the Board of Directors of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District and the additional director provided under this section for a total of seven (7) directors. Upon consolidation, the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County shall appoint one (1) additional director who shall be a resident of the unincorporated area from the county. The director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the board of supervisors. The consolidated board shall consist of the mayor of each city participating in the authority and the directors appointed by the board of supervisors. Each director may appoint a delegate to represent him at a meeting of the board.

(2) All business of the Harrison County Utility Authority shall be transacted as provided in Section 49-17-741 , except that all actions affecting rates, bonds or capital improvements must be by unanimous vote of all members of the board.

(3) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public, including the power and right to regulate and control solid waste within its jurisdictional boundaries.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-15
Status: in_force

Any sign, display or device lawfully erected which does not conform to Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 shall be required to be removed before the end of the fifth year after it becomes nonconforming.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-725 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-725
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-725
Status: in_force

(1) All powers of the Stone County Utility Authority shall be exercised by a board of directors comprised of five (5) directors appointed as follows: Within thirty (30) days of passage of this act, the Board of Supervisors of Stone County shall appoint three (3) residents from the county, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Wiggins shall appoint two (2) residents from the city. The directors shall serve at the will and pleasure of the governing body making the appointments.

(2) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is authorized and directed to designate the Danzler Tract, nine hundred twenty-five (925) acres located in the Pascagoula River Marshes in Jackson County, Mississippi, acquired in 1997 with funds obtained by Secretary of State Eric Clark as trustee of the public trust tidelands and part of the Mississippi Coastal Preserves Program, as the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” in honor of his role in the development of the program.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in conjunction with the Office of Secretary of State are further authorized to erect appropriate markers and signs indicating the location of the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” and other pertinent information on the mission, trail systems and visitor guidelines relating to the Mississippi Coastal Plain.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-69
Status: in_force

(1) Any political subdivision desiring to construct a waste disposal plant approved by the Office of Pollution Control of the Department of Environmental Quality and which receives a loan from the state for that purpose but which is not eligible to pledge for repayment under the provisions of Sections 49-17-65 and 49-17-67 , shall repay the loan by making payments each month to the State Treasurer through the Department of Environmental Quality according to the provisions of Section 7-7-15 , to be credited to the appropriate fund in lieu of pledging sales tax reimbursements.

(2) The repayment shall be according to a schedule prepared by the State Tax Commission in the same manner as such schedules are prepared for the state's other political subdivisions. The repayment schedule shall provide for monthly payments, the largest of which shall not exceed the average monthly payment for the term of years of the contract by more than fifteen percent (15%). The repayment schedule shall provide for the repayment of all funds received within no more than twenty (20) years from the date the loan is actually received by the political subdivision; however, the repayment schedule and the time for repayment of all funds received on loans renegotiated under Section 49-17-61(6) shall be modified by the State Tax Commission to conform with the terms of the renegotiated loan. The political subdivision shall remit its monthly payment by the twentieth of the month to the Department of Environmental Quality and the payments shall be made prior to the payments of principal or interest on any bonds issued by the political subdivision in connection with the project or projects to which the pollution abatement loans are made.

(3) The State Auditor shall annually audit the receipts and expenditures of each district whose monthly payments are to be received by him, and if he should find such political subdivision in arrears for two (2) consecutive years, he shall immediately begin withholding from funds due the taxing district in which the political subdivision is located, under the provisions of Section 27-33-41(g) and (h) , an amount equal to twelve (12) times the largest monthly payment due and issue his warrant for such amount to either one (1) of the two (2) special funds as directed below.

(4) The repayment schedule provided for in this section shall not be construed to prohibit any recipient from prepaying any part or all of the funds received.

(5) When bonds shall have been issued by the State of Mississippi to generate funds to be used for loans to be made under the provisions of Section 49-17-61 , all payments made in repayment under this section shall be deposited into the Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund established under the provisions of Section 49-17-61 so long as any such bonds shall be outstanding and unpaid.

(6) When all such bonds shall have been paid, the payments shall be deposited in the Water Pollution Abatement Loan Fund (“loan fund”) established under the provisions of Section 49-17-61 .

(7) When no such bonds shall be outstanding and unpaid, the payments shall be deposited in the loan fund.

(8) Funds on deposit in the loan fund may be used to make loans in aid of construction for water pollution abatement upon appropriation by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-43
Status: in_force

The executive director shall have authority to close all hunting and fishing within the lands contracted for with the federal government pursuant to the provisions of Section 49-5-23 for such period of time as may, in the opinion of the executive director, be necessary; shall have authority from time to time to prescribe the season for hunting or fishing therein, to fix the amount of fees required for special hunting licenses and to issue such licenses, to prescribe the number of animals and game, fish and birds that shall be taken therefrom and the size thereof, and to prescribe the conditions under which the same may be taken.

Any person violating any of the rules so promulgated by the executive director, or who shall hunt or fish upon such lands at any time, other than those times specified by the executive director, shall, upon conviction therefor be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or imprisoned for not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days for each and every offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 25-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-13
Status: in_force

When the State Highway Commission determines that the topography of the land adjoining the highways will not permit adequate screening of junkyards, or the screening of such junkyards would not be economically feasible, the State Highway Commission shall have the authority to acquire by gift, purchase, exchange, or condemnation such interests in lands as may be necessary to secure the removal or disposal of the junkyards, and to pay just compensation for the costs of relocation, removal or disposal thereof. When the state highway commission determines that it is in the best interest of the state, it may acquire such lands, or interest in lands, outside highway rights-of-way as may be necessary to provide adequate screening of such junkyards.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23
Status: in_force

The commission may grant, issue, reissue, modify, deny, suspend or revoke permits and may prescribe limitations and conditions on permits. When taking such action on any permit, the commission shall consider the effect of the proposed activity with reference to the public policy expressed in Section 49-27-3 of this chapter. A permittee under this chapter must obtain a permit from the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality if required by that commission under Sections 49-17-29 through 49-17-43 , and nothing in this chapter is intended to waive the requirements and standards of such commission. A Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality permit granted to an applicant under this chapter shall be proof of the applicant's meeting any water quality standard considered by the commission under this chapter. Any conflict under this chapter between the commission and the Commission on Environmental Quality shall be resolved in favor of the Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission may undertake studies regarding water quality and submit the results of such studies to the Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42
Status: in_force

(1) All oysters caught in Mississippi territorial waters shall be tagged and unloaded in Mississippi. Before tagging and unloading, the oysters must be sacked or packaged in containers or by other methods approved by the department. However, a person is exempt from the unloading requirement if he is transporting the oysters to a state that has a reciprocity agreement with Mississippi exempting Mississippi residents from the unloading requirements of that state.

(2) The driver of any vehicle used in the transporting of oysters in the shell from outside the territorial limits of the State of Mississippi, whether the vehicle is a boat or motor vehicle, shall possess an invoice, statement or other bill of lading which bears the name of the person, firm or corporation from whom the oysters were purchased, the name of the purchaser and the number of barrels or bushels of oysters which the vehicle or vessel contains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-1.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-1.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-1.1
Status: in_force

The State of Mississippi hereby assents to the provisions of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act [ 16 USCS Section 699 et seq. ] and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act [ 16 USCS Section 777 et seq. ]. The Commission on Marine Resources may perform any acts as may be necessary to ensure the conservation of fish and marine life. Revenue from saltwater license sales shall be controlled only by the Department of Marine Resources and used only when exercising responsibilities specific to the management of the state's fish and marine resources for which the department has authority under state law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-409
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-409
Status: in_force

The department shall have jurisdiction over all persons and property necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this article and the authorities outlined in Section 49-15-401 . The department may adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-16 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-16
Status: in_force

The department may develop a limited entry fisheries management program for all resource groups. The department may require a license for each resource group and shall establish the fees for such licenses. The department may establish a means test or any other criteria to determine eligibility for licenses under the limited entry program. The department may impose a moratorium on the issuance of licenses for a fishery resource.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-47 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 27-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-47
Status: in_force

Such appeal shall have precedence in the order of trial, and the chancellor may order the granting, denial, revocation, suspension or limitation of any permit or may remand to the council for such order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-177 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 19-177
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-177
Status: in_force

The compact administrator, with the assistance of the advisory committee, shall be authorized to do any and all things necessary in order to effectuate the terms and provisions of the compact contained herein and Sections 49-19-171 through 49-19-179 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of interstate cooperation in fire control for the mutual benefit of the states participating therein. Among the powers conferred upon the compact administrator, but not limiting his powers thereto, shall be that of formulating and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revising a regional forest fire plan for the member states. It shall be the duty of the compact administrator of Mississippi in cooperation with those compact administrators in the member states to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for Mississippi and take such measures as may be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-109 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-109
Status: in_force

(a) On the basis of investigations on nongame wildlife provided for in Section 49-5-107 and other available scientific and commercial data, and after consultation with other state wildlife agencies, appropriate federal agencies, and other interested persons and organizations, but not later than one (1) year after July 1, 1974 the commission shall by regulation propose a list of those species and subspecies of wildlife indigenous to the state which are determined to be endangered within this state, giving their common and scientific names by species and subspecies. Such regulation shall become effective sixty (60) days after being proposed during which period public comment shall be solicited and received. The Commission may hold a public hearing if deemed appropriate. On the basis of public comments received or the testimony at any such hearing, the commission may add to such proposed list additional species or subspecies which are determined to be endangered within the state or delete therefrom such species or subspecies which are determined not to be endangered within the state.

(b) The commission shall conduct a review of the state list of endangered species within not more than two (2) years from its effective date and every two (2) years thereafter and may amend the list by such additions or deletions as are deemed appropriate. The commission shall submit to the Governor a summary report of the data used in support of all amendments to the state list during the preceding biennium.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 49-5-101 through 49-5-119 , it shall be unlawful for any person to take, possess, transport, export, process, sell or offer for sale or ship, and for any common or contract carrier knowingly to transport or receive for shipment any species or subspecies of wildlife appearing on any of the following lists: (1) the list of wildlife indigenous to the state determined to be endangered within the state pursuant to subsection (a); (2) the United States' List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife as it appears on July 1, 1974 ( Part 17 of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations , Appendix D); and (3) the United States' List of Endangered Foreign Fish and Wildlife ( Part 17 of Title 50, Code of Federal Regulations , Appendix A), as such list may be modified hereafter; provided, that any species or subspecies of wildlife appearing on any of the foregoing lists which enters the state from another state or from a point outside the territorial limits of the United States and which is transported across the state destined for a point beyond the state may be so entered and transported without restriction in accordance with the terms of any federal permit or permit issued under the laws or regulations of another state.

(d) In the event the United States' List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife is modified subsequent to July 1, 1974, by additions or deletions, such modifications whether or not involving species or subspecies indigenous to the state may be accepted as binding under subsection (c) if, after the type of scientific determination described in subsection (a), the commission by regulation accepts such modification for the state. Any such regulation shall be effective upon promulgation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 28-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43
Status: in_force

Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, the board of commissioners shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the district is located a sworn statement showing the financial condition of the district, including the revenues and expenses of the district for the fiscal year just ended. The statement shall also be furnished to the board of supervisors of the county in which the district lies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-741 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-741
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-741
Status: in_force

(1) The board of directors of a county authority shall elect annually from its number a president and vice president of the county authority and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the authority and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall act in the absence or disability of the president. Each board also shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine these offices. The treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) as set by the board of directors, and each director may be required to give bond in the sum of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), with sureties qualified to do business in this state, and the premiums on the bonds shall be an expense of the authority. Each bond shall be payable to the State of Mississippi, and the condition of each bond shall be that the treasurer and director will faithfully perform all duties of his office and account for all money and other assets which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the authority.

(2) Each director of a county authority shall serve without salary, but shall be entitled to receive per diem pay as provided for in Section 25-3-69 and shall be reimbursed his actual necessary expenses, as provided in Section 25-3-41 , incurred while in the performance of his duties as a member of the board of directors of the authority upon authorization by the board. Expenses shall be paid from available funds of the authority.

(3) All business of a county authority shall be transacted by a majority vote of the total membership of the board of directors. The quorum for any meeting of the board of directors shall be a majority of the total membership of the board of directors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 28-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43
Status: in_force

Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, the board of commissioners shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the district is located a sworn statement showing the financial condition of the district, including the revenues and expenses of the district for the fiscal year just ended. The statement shall also be furnished to the board of supervisors of the county in which the district lies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-727 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-727
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-727
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created and established a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi to be known as the “Harrison County Utility Authority.” The authority is composed of the geographic area of Harrison County as defined in Section 19-1-47, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water, wastewater, storm water and solid waste systems in order to ensure the delivery of water, wastewater, storm water and solid waste services to citizens residing within the boundaries of Harrison County.

(2) Within thirty (30) days of April 18, 2006, the Harrison County Utility Authority and the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District shall consolidate into a single agency, to be known as the Harrison County Utility Authority, which shall be a continuance of the corporate existence of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District. Such consolidation shall be effective by the concurrent resolution of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District and the Harrison County Utility Authority and the filing of a copy of such concurrent resolution with the Secretary of State, certified by the Secretary of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District and the Harrison County Utility Authority.

(3) Upon consolidation, the following shall apply:

(a) All property, rights and powers of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District are hereby vested in and shall be exercised by the Harrison County Utility Authority, subject, however to all pledges, covenants, agreements and trusts made or created by the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District;

(b) All debts, liabilities, obligations, agreements, contracts and covenants of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District are hereby imposed upon the Harrison County Utility Authority. Any property of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District in which a mortgage or security interest has been granted to any bondholders or other creditors of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District shall continue to be subject to the mortgage or security interest until the mortgage or security interest is defeased or terminated in accordance with its terms. All bondholders and other creditors of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District and persons having claims against or contracts with the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District of any kind or character may enforce those debts, claims and contracts against the Harrison County Utility Authority in the same manner as they might have against the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District, and the rights and remedies of those bondholders, creditors, and persons having claims or contracts shall not be limited or restricted in any manner by this act;

(c) All regulations of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District shall continue to be in effect as the regulations of the Harrison County Utility Authority until amended, supplemented or rescinded by the authority in accordance with law; and

(d) All employees of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District shall become employees of the Harrison County Utility Authority. Nothing in this act shall affect the civil service status, if any, of those employees or their rights, privileges, obligations or status with respect to any pension or retirement system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-91 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-91
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to fish commercially at any time in Muddy Bayou, in Warren County, Mississippi.

(2) The department may enforce this section and seize and confiscate all commercial nets and seines used in Muddy Bayou, in Warren County, Mississippi, or on any part of the bayou, either along the length or at its two (2) openings in and to Eagle Lake and Steele Bayou.

(3) Any person violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00), nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or be imprisoned not more than three (3) months, or both; and in addition the department shall seize and confiscate all commercial nets and seines used for such purpose, and dispose of the same at private sale and place the proceeds to the credit of the State Game and Fish Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-95 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-95
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person who hunts or takes or kills any deer at night by headlighting, by any lighting device, light amplifying device, “forward-looking infrared (FLIR)” or thermal imaging device, shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a Class I violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 .

(b) For any person to be charged with a violation of this subsection, that person must have been observed committing an overt act consistent with the hunting of deer at night with the aid of a light, lighting device, light amplifying device, “forward-looking infrared (FLIR)” or thermal imaging device. Such observation of an overt act may include, but shall not be limited to, witnessing the discharge of a weapon capable of killing a deer, hearing the report of a firearm being fired, seeing the person in possession of a recently killed deer which could not have been killed during legal hunting hours, or witnessing the person committing any acts consistent with headlighting deer in violation of this subsection.

(c) A person who hunts, takes or kills any animal during legal hunting hours, and subsequently searches for and/or recovers such mortally wounded animal with the aid of a light or lighting device, is not in violation of this section.

(2)(a) Violators of subsection (1), twenty-one (21) years old or older, upon conviction, shall also forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of not less than three (3) consecutive years from the date of conviction and shall attend such courses prescribed by the commission. A violator shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his privileges restored.

(b) A person twenty-one (21) years old, or older, convicted of a first violation of subsection (1) may petition the commission to have his privileges restored after one (1) year from the date of his conviction. The commission may prescribe conditions on the restoration of privileges for a first-time offender, and the first-time offender shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(c) A violator of subsection (1) under the age of twenty-one (21), upon conviction, shall forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for one (1) year from the date of conviction, and shall attend courses prescribed by the commission. A violator under the age of twenty-one (21) may petition the commission to have his privileges restored after he has paid his penalty. The violator shall pay a reinstatement fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) to have his privileges restored.

(d) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) shall forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of not less than three (3) consecutive years from the date of conviction and shall attend courses prescribed by the commission. The person shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his privileges restored.

(e) A person who is appealing from a violation of subsection (1) shall have his hunting privileges suspended or revoked as provided in Section 49-7-27 .

(3) This section shall not apply to any deer killed in an accident with any motor vehicle.

(4) Anyone found guilty of violating this section who shoots or kills any livestock shall be punished as provided in Section 97-41-15 , in addition to the penalties provided in this section.

(5) It shall be unlawful for a person to shine a light from a public road or right-of-way, or on the property of another, at night, from one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour after sunset to one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour before sunrise. This section shall not apply: (a) to the normal use of headlights of a vehicle traveling on a public road or right-of-way; (b) to law enforcement, emergency or utility personnel in the performance of their official duties; (c) to landowners, agricultural or hunting leaseholders or their designated agents with written authorization from the landowner or agricultural leaseholder, and upon lands owned or leased by the landowner, leaseholder or agent; (d) to persons lawfully hunting, fishing or trapping; or (e) a landowner, agricultural leaseholder or a designated agent in the act of searching for or retrieving escaped livestock or pets. Any person convicted under this provision shall be guilty of harassment of wildlife and shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than sixty (60) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(6) It shall not be unlawful for any licensed or exempt hunter or tracker to track or pursue a deer that was lawfully shot and wounded during legal hunting hours, into the night after legal hunting hours, and to dispatch the deer if the deer is found and is still alive. A licensed or exempt hunter or tracker tracking or pursuing a wounded white-tailed deer into the nighttime hours may use reasonable means to assist the pursuit, including, but not limited to, lights and blood-trailing/tracking dogs. If tracking/blood-trailing dogs are used, no more than two (2) dogs may be used. If the animal being tracked is discovered to still be alive, but wounded, the hunter or tracker may dispatch the animal by using a handgun with a barrel no longer than six (6) inches and chambered in a caliber no larger than .45 caliber. For the purposes of this section, a “ licensed hunter ” or “ licensed tracker ” shall mean a hunter or tracker with the proper license for hunting white-tailed deer.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as allowing any individual to trespass upon the lands of another while in pursuit of an injured or wounded white-tailed deer animal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-65 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-65
Status: in_force

(a) To implement the policy set forth in the chapter and to assist in the protection of coastal wetlands, the commission acting with the cooperation and assistance of the Gulf Regional Planning Commission and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory shall evaluate the coastal wetlands and prepare charts at an appropriate scale showing the distribution of coastal wetlands as defined in this chapter. These charts will be provided to the offices of the chancery clerk of affected counties and to the Gulf Regional Planning Commission. The charts will be updated and reissued periodically as needed to provide a current inventory of coastal wetlands.

(b) The commission shall promote the education of the public about scientific and economic knowledge concerning coastal wetlands.

(c) In recognition of the national policy expressed in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, Public Law 92-583 , the commission is directed to include an overall plan for use of coastal and private wetlands in the Mississippi Coastal Zone Management Plan being prepared by the commission. The commission is further directed to identify and include in such plan specific coastal and private wetlands which should be set aside as estuarine sanctuaries.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-2-4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 2-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-2-4
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality whose offices shall be located in Jackson, Mississippi.

(2) The department shall be headed by an executive director who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The appointment of the executive director shall be made with the advice and consent of the Senate, not less than every four (4) years. The executive director may assign to the appropriate bureaus such powers and duties as deemed appropriate to carry out the department's lawful functions. The executive director shall have the following minimum qualifications:

(a) A master's degree in a field related to natural resources, and at least six (6) years' full-time experience in natural resources, including at least three (3) years of management experience; or

(b) A bachelor's degree in a field related to natural resources or administration and at least eight (8) years of full-time work in the field of natural resources, including four (4) years of management experience.

The executive director shall be the chief administrative officer of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-42
Status: in_force

(1) Any lender or holder who maintains indicia of ownership primarily to protect an interest in a property, facility, or other person, and who does not participate in the management of the property, facility, or other person, shall not be considered an owner or operator of that property, facility, or other person, nor liable under any pollution control or other environmental protection law, or any rule or regulation or written order of the commission in pursuance thereof, for the prevention, clean-up, removal, remediation or abatement of any pollution, hazardous waste or solid waste placed, released or dumped on, in, about or near the property, facility or other person or caused by any operator on or of the property, facility or other person.

(2) This section shall apply to actions commenced by the commission or by third parties.

(3) In implementing this section, the commission shall adopt regulations equivalent to those proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for this purpose.

(4) This section shall apply to all interests existing at the time of passage of this chapter and thereafter created, whether secured or unsecured.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-17
Status: in_force

(1)(a) All monies received or obtained by the department under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid over by the department to the State Treasurer and shall be deposited into the fund known as the “Seafood Fund.” All revenues collected through the department, to include, but not limited to, commercial saltwater licenses and taxes, permits, fines and penalties, and confiscated catches, shall be deposited into the department operating account (Seafood Fund) and expended for the operation of the department, as authorized by the Legislature.

(b) There is established a special account to be known as the “Artificial Reef Program Account” within the Seafood Fund. Any funds received from any public or private source for the purpose of promoting, constructing, monitoring or maintaining artificial reefs in the marine waters of the state or in federal waters adjacent to the marine waters of the state shall be credited to the account. Any unexpended funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the Seafood Fund, but shall remain in the account. The department may expend any funds in the account, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, to accomplish the purpose of the account.

(c) There is established a special account to be known as the “Coastal Preserve Account” within the Seafood Fund. Any funds received from any public or private source for the purpose of management, improvement and acquisition of coastal preserves in the state and money required to be deposited pursuant to Sections 27-19-56.10 and 27-19-56.27 , shall be credited to the account. Any unexpended funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the Seafood Fund, but shall remain in the account. The department may expend any funds in the account, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, for the management, improvement and acquisition of coastal preserves.

(d) There is established a special account to be known as the “Mississippi Seafood Marketing Program Account” within the Seafood Fund. Monies required to be deposited into the account under Section 27-19-56.27 and any funds received from any public or private source for the purpose of promoting the Mississippi seafood industry must be credited to the account. Any unexpended funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year do not lapse into the Seafood Fund, but remain in the account. The department may expend any funds in the account, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, to accomplish the purposes of this account, including, but not limited to, providing funds for cobia stock enhancement programs.

(e) There is established a special account to be known as the “Oyster Production Preserve Account” within the Seafood Fund. Monies required to be deposited from oyster leasing and licensing payments under Section 49-15-27 , sack fees, and any funds received from any public or private source for the purpose of oyster production and propagation in this state, which includes plantings of oysters and cultch materials, shall be credited to the account. Any unexpended funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the Seafood Fund, but shall remain in the account. The department may expend any funds in the account, subject to specific appropriation by the Legislature, for the management, improvement and acquisition of permittable property for oyster production and propagation in the state, which includes plantings of oysters and cultch materials. The Department of Marine Resources shall develop an annual report to the Legislature which describes the annual expenditures from this fund for the purpose of furthering oyster production and propagation in this state to be included in the department's annual budget request to the Legislative Budget Office and to be transmitted to the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Ports and Marine Resources.

(2) The fund shall be treated as a special trust fund and interest earned on the principal shall be credited to the fund.

(3) The department shall keep accurate reports of monies handled as a part of the permanent records of the department, and the State Treasurer shall furnish the department such forms as may be needed, and the department shall account for such forms in reports to the Treasurer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-23
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks are hereby authorized and empowered to establish the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, and when such line has been established and notice thereof given as provided herein, it shall be recognized in the courts in connection with any proceedings under the game and fish laws of this state. Such line may be changed from time to time by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on proper publication of such changes.

(b) In establishing the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, no part of the Bay of St. Louis shall be declared to be fresh water.

(c) In establishing the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, none of the waters within the municipal boundaries of the City of Pascagoula, as they existed on January 1, 1981, shall be declared to be fresh water.

(d) In establishing the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, no part of Bayou Cassotte and its tributaries, Bang Bayou and its tributaries, Bayou Cumbest and its tributaries, Crooked Bayou, Middle Bayou and that part of Heron Bayou with its tributaries which lie in the State of Mississippi shall be declared to be fresh water.

(2) Whenever any dividing line is established or changed as above provided, notice shall be given to the public by publication for three (3) weeks in a newspaper published and having general circulation in the county or counties affected thereby, and a description of the dividing line shall be filed in the office of the chancery clerk of such counties or county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-411 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-411
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-411
Status: in_force

No person shall own, install or operate an underground storage tank without complying with the applicable regulations of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-42
Status: in_force

It is lawful at all times for any person, upon the issuance of a permit by the commission, to train bird dogs through the use of release pens and tamed and identified quail. The tamed quail shall be identified through the use of tags or dye. Permits shall be issued upon approval of the commission and upon payment of the sum of Three Dollars ($3.00) each. The permits shall be displayed openly upon each release pen. A permit shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issuance. The training of bird dogs and the taking of birds shall be conducted under the rules and regulations of the commission. The tamed and identified quail may be recaptured through the use of release pens when the pens have been properly identified by a permit attached thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 27-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-1
Status: in_force

This chapter is to be known as the “Coastal Wetlands Protection Act” and may also be cited by its common or popular name of “Wetlands Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that:

(a) Numerous federal and state agencies collect and manage scientific information relating to the environment and natural resources of the state;

(b) Scientific information is a strategic asset in the management of our natural resources, exploration for oil and gas and economic development activities; and

(c) Lack of coordination in the collection and management of scientific information can lead to duplication of efforts and inefficient information management thus leading to increased and unnecessary costs.

(2) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a statewide coordinated effort to provide for the management of scientific information to ensure the effective and efficient collection, management, dissemination and analysis of scientific information available to the state and to provide that information in a user-friendly format to governmental agencies, academic institutions, other public and private organizations and the general public for economic development, natural resources and environmental management and other purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 28-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any contiguous area situated within any county of the state located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and not being situated within the corporate boundaries of any existing municipality, and experiencing shoreline and beach erosion and other related problems, may become incorporated as a shoreline and beach preservation district in the manner set forth in the following sections. The purpose of the district shall be to provide for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and improvement of shoreline and beach improvement projects, including habitat restoration projects. This chapter shall not apply to Harrison County or Hancock County, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-309 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-309
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-309
Status: in_force

(1) The department is hereby authorized and directed to establish and maintain a saltwater recreational fishing record list of marine fish taken in the state.

(2) The department shall direct fisheries biologists of the department to seek records from fishing rodeos, tournaments or other valid sources of the largest fish of each marine species commonly occurring in the waters of the state.

(3) The department shall declare the initial listing as the official state saltwater records.

(4) The department shall establish criteria for maintaining and updating the official records list.

(5) The department is hereby directed to present all state record holders with a certification of achievement in marine recreational fishing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-61 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-61
Status: in_force

There is hereby created for the State of Mississippi a Water Pollution Abatement Loan Program (“program”) from which shall be made loans in aid of construction. Funds shall be available to any political subdivision legally authorized to own, maintain and operate a sewage, industrial waste or other waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal system. No recipient shall receive from state funds any loan in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of the cost of construction of a project, unless said recipient shall become eligible on or after October 1, 1988, as set forth in Section 49-17-85(3) .

Such cost of construction includes: preliminary planning to determine the economic and engineering feasibility of treatment works, the engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal and economic investigations and studies, surveys, designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, procedures, and other action necessary to the construction of treatment works; and the erection, building, acquisition, alteration, remodeling, improvement or extension of treatment works; and the inspection and supervision of the construction of treatment works.

No loan shall be made for any project under the provisions of Sections 49-17-61 through 49-17-67 unless such project is in conformity with the State Water Pollution Control Plan and has been certified by the Mississippi Commission on Natural Resources as entitled to priority over eligible projects on the basis of financial as well as water pollution control needs.

Loan funds generated by the issuance of bonds, legislative appropriations or otherwise, shall be deposited in an appropriate account or accounts created under the program.

There is hereby established a special fund designated as the Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund (“bond fund”), which fund shall be maintained as a separate account in the State Treasury. All bonds which shall be issued by the State of Mississippi to generate funds to be used for loans under this section shall be payable as to principal, interest, premiums, if any, and service fees from the funds deposited in the bond fund. The bond fund hereby established shall be identical to and be a continuation of the Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund authorized and established by the provisions of Chapter 471, General Laws of the State of Mississippi, 1971.

No funds heretofore deposited under any other laws to the credit of a special fund heretofore maintained in the State Treasury, and heretofore designated under such laws as the Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund, shall be removed or transferred from such Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund so maintained and designated under any other laws, except as shall be specifically authorized by law. When such removal or transfer shall be authorized, funds removed or transferred shall be deposited to the credit of a special fund hereby established and designated as the Water Pollution Abatement Loan Fund (“loan fund”), which fund shall be maintained as a separate account in the State Treasury.

Funds on deposit in the loan fund (a) may be used to make loans in aid of construction for water pollution abatement upon appropriation by the Legislature; (b) in the discretion of the commission, may be transferred to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund for the purpose of matching federal capitalization grants and for allowable uses; and (c) may be used for administration of the State Revolving Loan Program subject to legislative appropriation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-1
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

(a) “Commission” means the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(b) “Department” means the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(c) “Director” means the executive director of the department.

(d) “Exporter” means a person, firm or corporation who buys or obtains mussels from mussel harvesters or buyers for export from Mississippi.

(e) “Mussel,” means and embraces the pearly fresh water mussel, clam, or naiad, and the shells thereof.

(f) “Mussel Abatement Program” means the killing, destruction or permanent eradication of mussels which are attached to or are blocking water intake structures solely for the purpose of safeguarding mechanical equipment used in a company, commercial operation or farm and to maintain the continued safe operation of such water intake structures and mechanical equipment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 25-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-3
Status: in_force

For the purpose of promoting the public safety, health, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of public travel, to protect the public investment in public highways, and to preserve and enhance the scenic beauty of lands bordering public highways, it is hereby declared to be in the public interest to regulate and restrict the establishment, operation, and maintenance of junkyards in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems within this state. The legislature hereby finds and declares that junkyards which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter are public nuisances.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42
Status: in_force

(1) All oysters caught in Mississippi territorial waters shall be tagged and unloaded in Mississippi. Before tagging and unloading, the oysters must be sacked or packaged in containers or by other methods approved by the department. However, a person is exempt from the unloading requirement if he is transporting the oysters to a state that has a reciprocity agreement with Mississippi exempting Mississippi residents from the unloading requirements of that state.

(2) The driver of any vehicle used in the transporting of oysters in the shell from outside the territorial limits of the State of Mississippi, whether the vehicle is a boat or motor vehicle, shall possess an invoice, statement or other bill of lading which bears the name of the person, firm or corporation from whom the oysters were purchased, the name of the purchaser and the number of barrels or bushels of oysters which the vehicle or vessel contains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-305 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-305
Status: in_force

(1) Hunting incident reports shall be exempt from disclosure or dissemination under the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 in accordance with the provisions of Section 45-29-1 .

(2) Upon written request of any person involved in the hunting incident, the representative of his estate, the surviving spouse or surviving next of kin, the commission may disclose to the requesting party or the requestor's legal counsel or insurance representative any information contained in the report.

(3) The commission shall charge a minimum reproduction fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00) plus any other costs associated with the request for the report.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-23
Status: in_force

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). Multiple violations of this chapter shall be assessed fines near the maximum allowable limits. Also, a person with multiple violations of this chapter may, at the discretion of the commission, have his commercial quail breeder's license suspended by operation of law for a period of one (1) year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 33-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-9
Status: in_force

(1) Right of action: Any action by the State of Mississippi that constitutes an inverse condemnation of forest or agricultural land, timber, wood or forest products, including nongame species or personal property rights associated with conducting forestry or agricultural activities, shall give the owner a cause of action under Section 11-46-1 et seq. for the payment of awards against the entity or entities causing the inverse condemnation, notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary. The owner shall have the right to file an inverse condemnation action before any court having jurisdiction over the county in which the forest or agricultural land is located. A determination that a use is noxious in fact or possesses a demonstrable harm to the public health and safety is not binding upon a court of law and a judicial review of the action shall be de novo.

(2) Subsequent repeal or rescission by the state: The entity sued in any inverse condemnation action shall have the right to repeal the action complained of in the suit before a decision becoming final. Such repeal shall entitle the owner to recover its damages arising out of the action before the repeal, and, in the discretion of the court, its costs of litigation (including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees). Subsequent repeal of the action by the state after a decision has become final shall not entitle the state to refuse payment, obtain a return of payment (if made) or result in ownership in the property by the state (absent a taking of one hundred percent (100%) of the property).

(3) Payment of awards for inverse condemnation: Payment of awards for inverse condemnation shall be made by the entity or entities as determined by the court subject to applicable limits provided in Section 11-46-15 . Payment shall not result in ownership in the property by the state (absent a taking of one hundred percent (100%) of the property). If more than one (1) entity is involved, the payment shall be made in the percentage of liability as allocated by the trier of fact in the inverse condemnation action. If any county, municipality, or political subdivision of the state whose actions constitute inverse condemnation as defined in this chapter are unable to pay the costs awarded, then the action causing the inverse condemnation shall be rescinded within sixty (60) days after the judgment of the court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 27-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-35
Status: in_force

The commission shall state, upon its record, its findings and reasons for all actions taken pursuant to Sections 49-27-23 through 49-27-37 . When a permit is granted or modified, the commission shall describe the public interest to be served by granting or modifying the permit. When a permit or modification is denied, the commission shall describe the public interest which would be adversely affected by granting or modifying the permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 31-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of each state agency, the judicial branch of state government, the state institutions of higher learning and community colleges to:

(a) Establish a program, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Finance and Administration, for the collection of recyclable materials as determined by the Department of Environmental Quality, generated in state offices throughout the state.

(b) Provide procedures for collecting and storing recyclable materials, containers for storing recyclable materials and contractual arrangements with buyers of recyclable materials.

(c) Evaluate the amount of recyclable materials recycled and make all necessary modifications to the recycling program to ensure that recyclable materials, as determined by the Department of Environmental Quality, are effectively and practically recycled.

(d) Establish and implement, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Finance and Administration, a source reduction program for materials, as determined by the Department of Environmental Quality, used in the course of agency operations. The program shall be designed and implemented to achieve the maximum feasible source reduction of waste as a result of agency operations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-35
Status: in_force

The commission shall state, upon its record, its findings and reasons for all actions taken pursuant to Sections 49-27-23 through 49-27-37 . When a permit is granted or modified, the commission shall describe the public interest to be served by granting or modifying the permit. When a permit or modification is denied, the commission shall describe the public interest which would be adversely affected by granting or modifying the permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-775 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-775
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-775
Status: in_force

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of the provisions of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-25
Status: in_force

(a) Any fire on any forested, cutover, brush lands or grass lands burning uncontrolled is hereby declared a public nuisance by reason of its menace to life and property. Any person, firm or corporation negligently or wilfully and maliciously responsible for the starting or the existence of such fire on land other than his own is hereby required to control or extinguish it immediately, and if said person, firm or corporation shall wilfully refuse, neglect or fail to do so, any organized fire suppression agency recognized by the Mississippi Forestry Commission, may summarily abate the nuisance thus constituted by controlling or extinguishing the fire. The cost of abating such nuisance, with all costs and reasonable attorney's fees to be allowed by the court, may be recovered from the person, firm or corporation responsible for such nuisance by civil action in the proper court, action for said recovery to be filed by the agency abating the nuisance. This section shall not impair any remedy now allowed by law.

(b) Any open cistern or well, which has been abandoned or is no longer used for the purpose of a cistern or well is hereby declared to be a public nuisance by reason of its menace to life and property, and the Mississippi Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to seal such cistern or well upon request of the landowner. A reasonable fee shall be charged for this purpose and all fees collected shall be handled in the same manner as other service charges collected by the commissioner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-517 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-517
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-517
Status: in_force

(1) After August 31, 1998, it is unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid lead-based paint inspector certificate to work as an inspector on a lead-based paint activity.

(2) To qualify for a lead-based paint inspector certificate, an applicant shall:

(a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;

(b) Satisfactorily complete an accredited training program for lead-based paint inspectors; and

(c) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-503
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 is to provide for the accreditation of lead-based paint activities training programs, procedures and requirements for certification of persons engaged in lead-based paint activities and development and implementation of work practice standards for lead-based paint activities in target housing, child-occupied facilities and other facilities regulated under Section 402 of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. It is the intent of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 that the cost of the administration and enforcement of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 shall be borne fully by federal grants and fees for accreditation, certification, renovation projects and abatement projects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 28-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-17
Status: in_force

(1) The powers of a district shall be vested in and exercised by a board of commissioners consisting of five (5) members to be appointed by the board of supervisors from a list of at least fifteen (15) candidates submitted by the supervisor in whose district the shoreline and beach preservation district is located. If the shoreline and beach preservation district is located in more than one (1) supervisors district, the supervisors in whose districts the shoreline and beach preservation district is located shall submit a list of at least fifteen (15) candidates mutually agreed upon by such supervisors. The members of the board of commissioners shall be landowners or residents of the district and shall be at least twenty-five (25) years of age and of sound and disposing mind and judgment. Upon their initial appointment, one (1) of the commissioners shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year; one (1) for a term of two (2) years; one (1) for a term of three (3) years; one (1) for a term of four (4) years; and one (1) for a term of five (5) years. After expiration of the initial appointments, each commissioner shall be appointed and shall hold office for a term of five (5) years. Any vacancy occurring on the board of commissioners shall be filled by the board of supervisors at any regular meeting of the board of supervisors in the same manner as original appointments are made. The board of supervisors may fill all unexpired terms of any commissioner.

Notwithstanding the appointive authority granted in this section to the board of supervisors, its legal and actual responsibilities, authority and function, subsequent to the creation of a district, shall be specifically limited to the appointive function and responsibilities outlined in Sections 49-28-21 , 49-28-27 and 49-28-29 . The operation, management, abolition or dissolution of a district, and all other matters in connection therewith, shall be vested solely and only in the board of commissioners to the specific exclusion of the board of supervisors, and the abolition, dissolution or termination of a district shall be accomplished only by unanimous resolution of the board of commissioners.

(2) The board of commissioners shall organize by electing one of its members as chairman and another as vice-chairman. The chairman shall preside at all meetings of the board and act as the chief executive officer of the board and of the district. The vice-chairman shall act in the absence or disability of the chairman. The board also shall elect and fix the compensation of a secretary-treasurer who may or may not be a member of the board. The secretary-treasurer shall keep all minutes and records of the board and safely keep all funds of the district. The secretary-treasurer shall execute a bond, payable to the district, in a sum and with security as shall be fixed and approved by the board of commissioners.

(3) Each person appointed as a commissioner, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of the office, shall execute a bond payable to the State of Mississippi in the penal sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) conditioned that the person will faithfully discharge the duties of the office. Each bond shall be approved by and filed with the clerk of the board of supervisors.

(4) Each commissioner shall take and subscribe to an oath of office prescribed in Section 268, Mississippi Constitution of 1890 , before the Chancery Clerk of the county in which the district is located, that the person will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of commissioner. The oath shall be filed with the Chancery Clerk and preserved with the official bond.

(5) A majority of the membership of the board of commissioners shall constitute a quorum. Except as otherwise required under this chapter, all official acts of the board of commissioners shall require a majority vote of the quorum.

(6) The board of commissioners may receive per diem compensation, if approved by the board of supervisors, in the same manner provided to officers of state boards, commissions and agencies in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 . However, the per diem compensation shall not exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per month and shall not entitle any member of the board of commissioners to receive or be eligible for any state employee group insurance, retirement or other fringe benefits.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-305 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-305
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 49-19-301 through 49-19-307 unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Prescribed burning” means the controlled application of fire to naturally occurring vegetative fuels for ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management purposes under specified environmental conditions and the following of appropriate precautionary measures which cause the fire to be confined to a predetermined area and accomplishes the planned land management objectives.

(b) “Certified prescribed burn manager” means an individual or county forester who successfully completes the certification program approved by the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

(c) “Prescription” means a written plan for starting and controlling a prescribed burn to accomplish the ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management objectives.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-413 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-413
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-413
Status: in_force

Each violation of the rules and regulations set forth in Title 22 of the Administrative Code or violations of the statutes set forth in Chapters 15 and 27 of Title 49, and Chapter 21 of Title 59, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall be subject to the imposition of a civil penalty up to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-61 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-61
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall be the Wildlife Heritage Committee and shall exercise the duties and authority granted to such committee pursuant to Sections 49-5-69 through 49-5-98 , and pursuant to any other laws of the State of Mississippi.

(2) Wherever the term “ Wildlife Heritage Committee ” appears in the laws of the State of Mississippi, it shall be construed to mean the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, unless the context clearly means to refer to the former Wildlife Heritage Committee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-95 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-95
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person who hunts or takes or kills any deer at night by headlighting, by any lighting device, light amplifying device, “forward-looking infrared (FLIR)” or thermal imaging device, shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a Class I violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 .

(b) For any person to be charged with a violation of this subsection, that person must have been observed committing an overt act consistent with the hunting of deer at night with the aid of a light, lighting device, light amplifying device, “forward-looking infrared (FLIR)” or thermal imaging device. Such observation of an overt act may include, but shall not be limited to, witnessing the discharge of a weapon capable of killing a deer, hearing the report of a firearm being fired, seeing the person in possession of a recently killed deer which could not have been killed during legal hunting hours, or witnessing the person committing any acts consistent with headlighting deer in violation of this subsection.

(c) A person who hunts, takes or kills any animal during legal hunting hours, and subsequently searches for and/or recovers such mortally wounded animal with the aid of a light or lighting device, is not in violation of this section.

(2)(a) Violators of subsection (1), twenty-one (21) years old or older, upon conviction, shall also forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of not less than three (3) consecutive years from the date of conviction and shall attend such courses prescribed by the commission. A violator shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his privileges restored.

(b) A person twenty-one (21) years old, or older, convicted of a first violation of subsection (1) may petition the commission to have his privileges restored after one (1) year from the date of his conviction. The commission may prescribe conditions on the restoration of privileges for a first-time offender, and the first-time offender shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(c) A violator of subsection (1) under the age of twenty-one (21), upon conviction, shall forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for one (1) year from the date of conviction, and shall attend courses prescribed by the commission. A violator under the age of twenty-one (21) may petition the commission to have his privileges restored after he has paid his penalty. The violator shall pay a reinstatement fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) to have his privileges restored.

(d) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) shall forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of not less than three (3) consecutive years from the date of conviction and shall attend courses prescribed by the commission. The person shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his privileges restored.

(e) A person who is appealing from a violation of subsection (1) shall have his hunting privileges suspended or revoked as provided in Section 49-7-27 .

(3) This section shall not apply to any deer killed in an accident with any motor vehicle.

(4) Anyone found guilty of violating this section who shoots or kills any livestock shall be punished as provided in Section 97-41-15 , in addition to the penalties provided in this section.

(5) It shall be unlawful for a person to shine a light from a public road or right-of-way, or on the property of another, at night, from one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour after sunset to one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour before sunrise. This section shall not apply: (a) to the normal use of headlights of a vehicle traveling on a public road or right-of-way; (b) to law enforcement, emergency or utility personnel in the performance of their official duties; (c) to landowners, agricultural or hunting leaseholders or their designated agents with written authorization from the landowner or agricultural leaseholder, and upon lands owned or leased by the landowner, leaseholder or agent; (d) to persons lawfully hunting, fishing or trapping; or (e) a landowner, agricultural leaseholder or a designated agent in the act of searching for or retrieving escaped livestock or pets. Any person convicted under this provision shall be guilty of harassment of wildlife and shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than sixty (60) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(6) It shall not be unlawful for any licensed or exempt hunter or tracker to track or pursue a deer that was lawfully shot and wounded during legal hunting hours, into the night after legal hunting hours, and to dispatch the deer if the deer is found and is still alive. A licensed or exempt hunter or tracker tracking or pursuing a wounded white-tailed deer into the nighttime hours may use reasonable means to assist the pursuit, including, but not limited to, lights and blood-trailing/tracking dogs. If tracking/blood-trailing dogs are used, no more than two (2) dogs may be used. If the animal being tracked is discovered to still be alive, but wounded, the hunter or tracker may dispatch the animal by using a handgun with a barrel no longer than six (6) inches and chambered in a caliber no larger than .45 caliber. For the purposes of this section, a “ licensed hunter ” or “ licensed tracker ” shall mean a hunter or tracker with the proper license for hunting white-tailed deer.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as allowing any individual to trespass upon the lands of another while in pursuit of an injured or wounded white-tailed deer animal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 23-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-19
Status: in_force

Any advertising device or outdoor advertising erected which is contrary to the provisions of Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 or regulations lawfully adopted hereunder is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. The State Highway Commission shall give thirty (30) days' notice by certified mail to the owner of such advertising device and landowner to remove same if it is a prohibited device or cause it to conform to regulations if it is an authorized device. Failure to receive the notice shall not prohibit the state highway commission from removing the unlawful outdoor advertising device. If the owner of the outdoor advertising device fails or refuses to remove same within thirty (30) days as required in the notice, the State Highway Commission may proceed to secure the removal of same as authorized in Section 49-23-21 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-227 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-227
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-227
Status: in_force

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the Forest Resource Development Fund, fiscal management and responsibility for which is hereby vested in the State Forestry Commission and which shall consist of that portion of the privilege tax on timber and timber products as authorized by Section 27-25-11, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and any funds appropriated specifically therefor by the Legislature. The Legislature shall appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary including any proceeds of general obligation bonds which may be authorized by the Legislature for the support of the Forest Resources Development Program provided for under Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 . Those funds appropriated by the Legislature remaining in the special fund at the end of any fiscal year shall lapse into the General Fund, but other funds shall remain in the special fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-45
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person:

(a)(i) To hunt, chase, kill or to pursue with the intent to take, kill or wound any wild animal or wild bird in violation of this chapter;

(ii) To hunt, take, kill or wound any game animal or game bird with a gun larger than 10 gauge;

(iii) To hunt, take, wound or shoot at any game bird:

(A) From any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached unless the motor has been completely shut off and its progress has ceased. A craft under power may be used to retrieve dead or crippled birds; however, crippled birds may not be shot from a craft under power; or

(B) From any sinkbox or battery except in waters of the Gulf Coast.

(b) To wound, drown, shoot, capture, take or otherwise kill any deer from a boat.

(c) To lend or transfer or borrow or to use or display while hunting, trapping or fishing, a license or tag of another.

(d) To aid in the securing of a license for or to knowingly issue a license for any person not legally entitled to same.

(e) To hunt, trap or fish in this state after the right to do so has been denied by the commission or the license therefor has been revoked.

(f) To hunt or trap any birds, game or wild animals during the closed season.

(g) Any person violating paragraphs (b), or (f) is guilty of a Class II offense and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143 .

(2) Any citation issued to a boat operator for not registering or possessing the boat's registration card shall be dismissed, along with all related court costs if the boat operator can verify that the boat was properly registered prior to the date of violation. A boat operator may submit a copy of his or her boat's proper registration card, certified by the clerk or magistrate of the court holding the trial or hearing, along with all related court costs, to the court or magistrate before the date of the trial or hearing and the citation shall be dismissed under this subsection without the boat operator or the boat operator's counsel being present.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 31-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19
Status: in_force

(1) On or before July 1, 2007, the Department of Education with advice of the Department of Environmental Quality is directed to develop or select curriculum, including materials and resource guides, for a waste minimization awareness program at the elementary and secondary levels of education.

(2) In order to orient students and their families to the minimization of waste and to encourage the participation of schools, communities and families in waste minimization programs, the school board of each school district in the state shall provide a program of student instruction in the minimization of waste materials. The instruction shall be provided at both the elementary and secondary levels of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-155 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-155
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-155
Status: in_force

(1) The owner of any natural area may dedicate that area as a natural area preserve by executing with the commission articles of dedication. The articles shall transfer such portion of the owner's estate as agreed upon by the owner and the commission to the commission for the people of Mississippi.

(2) The commission may acquire articles of dedication for consideration or by donation, devise or bequest. The articles of dedication shall be recorded in the office of the chancery clerk of the county in which any or all of the natural area is located before the area shall become a natural area preserve.

(3) The commission may dedicate any property owned by the commission as natural area preserve by filing and recording articles of dedication in the office of the chancery clerk of the county in which any or all of the area is located.

(4) The articles of dedication shall contain:

(a) Provisions for the management, custody and use of the natural area preserve;

(b) Provisions which define the rights and privileges of the owner and the commission or the managing agency, including any rights of the owner related to his eligibility for an income tax credit authorized under Section 27-7-22.22 ; and

(c) Such other provisions as the owner or commission shall deem necessary to discharge the provisions of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 or to complete the transfer.

(5) The commission shall agree to no articles of dedication which do not provide for the protection, preservation and management of the natural area in a manner consistent with the intent and purposes of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 .

(6) Any interest in real property owned by the commission in a natural area preserve shall be exempt from all ad valorem taxation levied by the State of Mississippi or any county or municipality or other political subdivision of this state. Any person who shall convey any interest in real property to the commission for the purposes set forth in Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 shall be entitled to have the assessment of such property reduced by the amount of the value of the interest conveyed to the commission. The authorities responsible for determining and making the assessment shall also determine the value of the interest conveyed to the commission. This reduction in the assessment of such property shall terminate when the interest conveyed to the commission terminates.

(7) The commission shall be the agency of the State of Mississippi primarily responsible for acquisition of natural area preserves, but no provision of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 shall be construed to limit the commission's authority to acquire other property. Any property acquired by the commission or any other agency of the state or political subdivision thereof pursuant to any other authority in law may be dedicated according to this section.

(8) No provisions of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 shall be construed to limit the authority of any other agency to acquire and dedicate natural areas according to the provisions of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 26-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-7
Status: in_force

The department shall identify federal funding mechanisms which could be used to fund projects regarding channel maintenance. The department shall coordinate with local governments and other interest groups to maximize the eligibility of projects for funding and to assist in the preparation of appropriate financial assistance documentation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-37
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may establish and operate a fish hatchery in North Mississippi, to be named the Bob Tyler Fish Hatchery, at a site to be determined by the department with the approval of the commission to enable the department to adequately stock public lakes and streams in North Mississippi. For such purpose, the department shall use those funds that are made available by any agency of the state or federal government, an appropriation by the Legislature or any other source. The department is designated as the governing authority of any such fish hatchery and the operation and maintenance of the fish hatchery shall meet the standards of the department and state law regarding the operation of a fish hatchery. The department may accept funds from any source and those funds shall be used to pay the maintenance, operational and administrative expenses of the fish hatchery.

(2) The Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District is authorized to transfer to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks fee title of no more than eighty (80) acres of approved replacement land to be surveyed from the following tract of land:

The Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 20, Township 12, Range 8, Monroe County, Mississippi, containing 40 acres more or less.

All that land in the Northeast Quarter; north of a line starting at monument stamped “LA-42A”; and running northeasterly to a monument stamped “LA-43”, Section 20, Township 12, Range 8, Monroe County, Mississippi, containing 105.42 acres more or less.

The land shall be transferred once an acceptable lease agreement between the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is secured and the department is given the authority and appropriation to construct a fish hatchery.

(3) The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall have the authority to transfer the land necessary to reach the equal value for lands offered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the construction of a fish hatchery.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-51 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-51
Status: in_force

(1)(a) If a person in violation of this chapter submits a proper application for any unauthorized work and the commission determines that the work has been conducted in accordance with the public policy as set forth in Section 49-27-3 , the commission shall issue after-the-fact authorization for the work.

(b) For conducting the work without first obtaining a current and valid permit and other violations of this chapter, the commission may order and levy a penalty of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50. 00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day the violation has existed for residential type regulated activity and a penalty of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per day for each day the violation has existed for commercial and industrial type regulated activity.

(2) If the person continues the violation, the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi at the request of the commission, a district attorney having jurisdiction, or a county attorney having jurisdiction may initiate the civil or criminal actions, or both civil and criminal actions, as described in this chapter against the person.

(3) The Attorney General, commission, district attorney or county attorney may initiate action to enjoin any person in violation of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-33 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-33
Status: in_force

The Southern Regional Fire Training Center Building located in Pearl, Mississippi, shall be renamed the Richard (Dick) Allen Building. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque, to be placed in a prominent place within the Richard (Dick) Allen Building which states the background, accomplishments and service to Mississippi of Richard Allen as Executive Director of the State Forestry Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-27
Status: in_force

In considering permits to dredge new channels by applicants under subsection (c) of Section 49-27-11 , the commission shall take into consideration in addition to Section 47-27-23 the benefit of such channel to the public at large, or to surrounding landowners, and the extent of use projected for the channel, as well as the ecological, economic, commercial, recreational and aesthetic value of the wetlands affected. The commission shall, where practical, require applicants to use existing channels, so as to reduce the coastal wetlands affected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 27-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-29
Status: in_force

In granting or modifying any permit, the commission may impose conditions or limitations on the proposed activity designed to carry out the public policy set forth in this chapter. Permits shall be valid for not more than five (5) years from the date of issuance, except that permits issued to a governmental entity shall be valid for not more than ten (10) years. The commission may issue one (1) extension not to exceed two (2) years in length if the applicant requests it in writing before the expiration date of the permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-1
Status: in_force

As a guide to the interpretation and application of this chapter, the public policy of this state shall be to recognize the need for a concerted effort to work toward the protection, propagation and conservation of its seafood and aquatic life in connection with the revitalization of the seafood industry of the State of Mississippi, which is one of the state's major economic resources and affords a livelihood to thousands of its citizens; and in this connection, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide a modern, sound, comprehensive and workable law to be administered by specialists, who are vested with full and ample authority to take such action as may be necessary in order to help protect, conserve and revitalize seafood life in the State of Mississippi; it being at all times remembered that all of the wild aquatic life found in the waters of the State of Mississippi and on the bottoms of such waters, until taken therefrom in the manner hereinafter prescribed, is recognized as the property of the State of Mississippi because of its very nature, as well as because of the great value of the state of the aquatic life for food and other necessary purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 31-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-13
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall complete a comprehensive study of the status of pollution prevention and recycling activities in Mississippi. The study shall address, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) The types and quantities of wastes generated in the state, the existing system for management of wastes, and pollution prevention and recycling efforts to date in the state;

(b) The advisability, feasibility and potential impacts of waste stream reduction through statutory restraints;

(c) The identification of key business, industry, academic institutions and governmental entities which should receive priorities in technical assistance;

(d) The establishment of the program priorities, objectives, missions and goals for pollution prevention and recycling in the state, including a methodology for assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of the program in attaining program goals and objectives;

(e) The development of a methodology to assess progress in minimizing waste, preventing pollution and recycling in the state; and

(f) Any other information deemed necessary by the department to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(2) The study shall be presented to the Chairman of the Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the Mississippi Senate by the second day of each legislative session.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-89 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-89
Status: in_force

(1) Political subdivisions are hereby authorized to borrow monies under the provisions of Sections 49-17-81 through 49-17-89 , to issue municipal securities to evidence such loans, and to enter into such other agreements necessary for such loans and municipal securities on such terms and conditions as such political subdivisions shall deem necessary and advisable.

(2) In connection with the issuance of municipal securities by political subdivisions to evidence loans under the provisions of this chapter and as may be required by Section 31-25-1 et seq. , the following provisions shall specifically apply:

(a) No notice of intent to issue municipal securities as may otherwise be required by state law shall be required.

(b) The governing body of the political subdivision shall adopt such resolutions as may be necessary to borrow monies under this chapter, to issue and sell municipal securities to evidence such loans, and to approve and authorize the execution of any agreements related thereto.

(c) Such loans and municipal securities shall be secured as provided for in Section 49-17-87 .

(d) Such loans and municipal securities shall not be deemed general obligations.

(e) Such municipal securities shall be sold only to evidence the repayment of a loan under this chapter and may be sold at such price or prices, in such form, and subject to such terms and conditions of issue, redemption and maturity, rate of interest and time of payment of interest as otherwise provided for a loan under this chapter.

(f) A political subdivision may pay all expenses, premiums, fees and commissions which it may deem necessary and advantageous in connection with any loan and the issuance and sale of municipal securities under this chapter.

(g) Municipal securities issued under this chapter need not be validated as provided in Section 31-13-1 et seq.

(h) This section shall be deemed to provide an additional, alternate and complete method for the doing of the things authorized hereby and shall be deemed and construed to be supplemental to any provisions of any other laws and not in derogation of any such provisions. In connection with the issuance of municipal securities under this chapter, a political subdivision shall not be required to comply with the provisions of any other law except as provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-47 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-47
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to discharge solid or human waste from any vessel while the vessel is used to harvest or transport oysters in the marine waters of the state.

(2) Each vessel used to harvest or transport oysters is required to have an approved functional marine sanitation device (MSD), portable toilet or other sewage disposal receptacle designed to contain human sewage. The approved marine sanitation device (MSD), portable toilet or other sewage disposal receptacle shall:

(a) Be used only for the purpose intended.

(b) Be secured while on board and located to prevent contamination of shell stock by spillage or leakage.

(c) Be emptied only into an approved sewage disposal system.

(d) Be cleaned before being returned to the vessel.

(e) Not be cleaned with equipment used for washing or processing food.

(3) The use of other receptacles for sewage disposal may be approved by the department if the receptacles are:

(a) Constructed of impervious, cleanable materials and have tight-fitting lids; and

(b) Meet the requirements listed in subsection (2).

(4) Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this chapter, shall, on conviction, be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and the license of the convicted party shall be revoked for one (1) year. For conviction of a second offense, the fine shall be not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and the license of the convicted party shall be revoked for two (2) years. For a conviction of a third offense, the fine shall be not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), and the license of the convicted party shall be permanently revoked.

(5) Upon issuance of a citation for a violation of this section, the vessel shall be removed from the oyster reef and any oysters on board the vessel shall be confiscated and disposed of by the department. The vessel shall not be permitted to harvest from any state-owned or private reefs until the vessel is properly equipped as determined by an inspection by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-715 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-715
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-715
Status: repealed

(1) There is hereby created and established a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi to be known as the “ George County Utility Authority ,” unless the George County Board of Supervisors dissolves the authority by January 1, 2007, as provided in subsection (2). The authority will be composed of the geographic area of George County as defined in Section 19-1-39, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water, wastewater and storm water systems in order to ensure the delivery of water, wastewater and storm water services to citizens residing within the boundaries of George County. The George County Utility Authority shall be deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential public functions, and the George County Utility Authority shall be empowered in accordance with the provisions of this act to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.

(2) [Repealed]

(3) If the county authority is dissolved, the board of supervisors may reestablish the county authority by a resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes stating the necessity for the county authority. The board shall file a certified copy of the resolution with the Secretary of State, the Public Service Commission and the utility board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 23-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-19
Status: in_force

Any advertising device or outdoor advertising erected which is contrary to the provisions of Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 or regulations lawfully adopted hereunder is hereby declared to be a public nuisance. The State Highway Commission shall give thirty (30) days' notice by certified mail to the owner of such advertising device and landowner to remove same if it is a prohibited device or cause it to conform to regulations if it is an authorized device. Failure to receive the notice shall not prohibit the state highway commission from removing the unlawful outdoor advertising device. If the owner of the outdoor advertising device fails or refuses to remove same within thirty (30) days as required in the notice, the State Highway Commission may proceed to secure the removal of same as authorized in Section 49-23-21 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-6 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 27-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-6
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

(a) “ Marina ” means a facility providing more than twelve (12) mooring spaces for boats that may provide supplies and services including electricity, fresh water, fuel or sewage collection facilities.

(b) “ Public marina ” means a marina that offers mooring spaces and docking facilities for lease by the general public. Public marinas include recreational and commercial marinas, and they require a “C” for commercial or “I” for industrial use designation.

(c) “ Private single-family or multi-family pier ” means a pier that is part of an adjacent single-family home subdivision or multi-family condominium or apartment development that provides mooring spaces and docking facilities restricted for use by only home owners or tenants of the adjacent development. Private single-family and multi-family piers with twelve (12) or fewer mooring spaces are compatible with a “G” for general use designation. Private single-family and multi-family piers with more than twelve (12) mooring spaces require a “C” for commercial use designation. Commercial vessels may not be moored in a multi-family pier.

(d) “ Yacht club marina ” means a marina that restricts mooring spaces and docking facilities to members only of a private association organization. Yacht clubs require a “C” for commercial or “I” for industrial use designation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-17
Status: in_force

The state and county boards of public education are directed to provide for proper courses of instruction by textbooks, or lectures on the general subject of forestry in all the public schools and colleges of this state; and they are further directed to provide for the celebration of arbor day by all public schools, on which day ornamental and shade trees, flowers, etc., are to be placed, where practicable, on the grounds surrounding all public schoolhouses.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 37-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Statewide Scientific Information Management Act of 1999.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 27-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is authorized and directed to designate the Danzler Tract, nine hundred twenty-five (925) acres located in the Pascagoula River Marshes in Jackson County, Mississippi, acquired in 1997 with funds obtained by Secretary of State Eric Clark as trustee of the public trust tidelands and part of the Mississippi Coastal Preserves Program, as the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” in honor of his role in the development of the program.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in conjunction with the Office of Secretary of State are further authorized to erect appropriate markers and signs indicating the location of the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” and other pertinent information on the mission, trail systems and visitor guidelines relating to the Mississippi Coastal Plain.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-405 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-405
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-405
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund, hereinafter referred to as the “fund” to be administered by the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality. The commission shall adopt regulations for administering this fund.

(2) The commission shall expend or utilize monies up to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) annually in the fund by an annual appropriation approved by the Legislature to supplement all reasonable direct and indirect costs associated with the development and administration of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program if the annual tank regulatory fee in Section 49-17-421 does not adequately cover the costs associated with Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 . All reasonable direct and indirect costs associated with development and administration of the UST Program, including, but not limited to, the reasonable costs of the following activities as they relate to the UST Program:

(a) Preparing generally applicable regulations or guidance regarding the UST Program or its implementation or enforcement;

(b) Administering the UST Program, including the supporting and tracking of UST owners/operators and associated UST systems, compliance with UST regulations, the fund, UST-certified contractors, tank fees and related data entry;

(c) Implementing and enforcing the terms of the UST regulations; and

(d) Investigation, assessment and rehabilitation of contamination sites with restoration or replacement of potable water supplies.

At no time shall an annual fund appropriation result in more than supplemental funding for the current annual cost of administering the UST Program.

(3) Whenever in the executive director's determination a release of motor fuels at an active site may pose a threat to the environment or the public health, safety or welfare, the department shall obligate monies available in the fund to provide for:

(a) Investigation and assessment of contamination sites;

(b) Restoration or replacement of potable water supplies;

(c) Rehabilitation of contamination sites, which may consist of cleanup of affected soil, groundwater and inland surface waters, using cost-effective alternatives that are technologically feasible and reliable, and that provide adequate protection of the public health, safety and welfare and minimize environmental damage, in accordance with the site selection and clean-up criteria established by the commission, except that nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the commission to obligate funds for payment of costs which may be associated with, but are not integral to, site rehabilitation, such as the cost for retrofitting or replacing underground storage tanks.

(4) Whenever the commission has expended funds from the fund created by Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 , the owner of the underground storage tank shall not be liable to the department for such costs if the owner was in substantial compliance on the date on which the discharge of the motor fuels which necessitates the cleanup was reported to the department. Otherwise owners are responsible for reimbursement and the reimbursed monies shall go back into the fund. In such circumstances the commission is authorized to take any necessary action to recover these monies from responsible owners.

(5) Any provisions of this section and chapter regarding liability for the costs of cleanup, removal, remediation or abatement of any pollution, hazardous waste or solid waste shall be limited as provided in Section 49-17-42 and rules adopted thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-61 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-61
Status: in_force

There is hereby created for the State of Mississippi a Water Pollution Abatement Loan Program (“program”) from which shall be made loans in aid of construction. Funds shall be available to any political subdivision legally authorized to own, maintain and operate a sewage, industrial waste or other waste collection, transport, treatment and disposal system. No recipient shall receive from state funds any loan in excess of twenty-five percent (25%) of the cost of construction of a project, unless said recipient shall become eligible on or after October 1, 1988, as set forth in Section 49-17-85(3) .

Such cost of construction includes: preliminary planning to determine the economic and engineering feasibility of treatment works, the engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal and economic investigations and studies, surveys, designs, plans, working drawings, specifications, procedures, and other action necessary to the construction of treatment works; and the erection, building, acquisition, alteration, remodeling, improvement or extension of treatment works; and the inspection and supervision of the construction of treatment works.

No loan shall be made for any project under the provisions of Sections 49-17-61 through 49-17-67 unless such project is in conformity with the State Water Pollution Control Plan and has been certified by the Mississippi Commission on Natural Resources as entitled to priority over eligible projects on the basis of financial as well as water pollution control needs.

Loan funds generated by the issuance of bonds, legislative appropriations or otherwise, shall be deposited in an appropriate account or accounts created under the program.

There is hereby established a special fund designated as the Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund (“bond fund”), which fund shall be maintained as a separate account in the State Treasury. All bonds which shall be issued by the State of Mississippi to generate funds to be used for loans under this section shall be payable as to principal, interest, premiums, if any, and service fees from the funds deposited in the bond fund. The bond fund hereby established shall be identical to and be a continuation of the Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund authorized and established by the provisions of Chapter 471, General Laws of the State of Mississippi, 1971.

No funds heretofore deposited under any other laws to the credit of a special fund heretofore maintained in the State Treasury, and heretofore designated under such laws as the Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund, shall be removed or transferred from such Water Pollution Abatement Bond Fund so maintained and designated under any other laws, except as shall be specifically authorized by law. When such removal or transfer shall be authorized, funds removed or transferred shall be deposited to the credit of a special fund hereby established and designated as the Water Pollution Abatement Loan Fund (“loan fund”), which fund shall be maintained as a separate account in the State Treasury.

Funds on deposit in the loan fund (a) may be used to make loans in aid of construction for water pollution abatement upon appropriation by the Legislature; (b) in the discretion of the commission, may be transferred to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund for the purpose of matching federal capitalization grants and for allowable uses; and (c) may be used for administration of the State Revolving Loan Program subject to legislative appropriation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-95 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-95
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful to use brill and cast nets greater than twelve (12) feet in radius in the marine waters of the state.

(2) The commission shall not prohibit the use of brill and cast nets in the waters designated in subsection (1) of this section. No person shall catch more than fifty (50) pounds of shrimp per day using brill and cast nets as provided by this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-63 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-63
Status: in_force

The commission shall, from time to time, inspect the coastal wetlands to determine whether violations have been or are being committed. The commission or any authorized employee of the Department of Marine Resources may enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property in the performance of duty to enforce the Coastal Wetlands Protection Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-113 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 5-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-113
Status: in_force

The commission shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out the purposes of Sections 49-5-101 through 49-5-119 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-431 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-431
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-431
Status: in_force

Any person aggrieved by any decision by the commission or the director relating to any provision of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 shall have the right to appeal as provided in Section 49-17-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-433 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-433
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-433
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 are severable. If any part of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 28-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-29
Status: in_force

In addition to the sources of funding provided for in Sections 49-28-1 through 49-28-27 , the board of commissioners, if approved by the board of supervisors in the resolution creating the district, may levy and collect special assessments on certain property located in the district to provide funds for the purposes for which bonds may be issued under Sections 49-28-23 and 49-28-25 . The board of commissioners may pledge the receipts from the special assessments to secure the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any bonds authorized to be issued under this chapter. Special assessments may be levied on the property within the boundaries of the district at the time the special assessments are levied. Any special assessments authorized under this section shall be levied and collected in the manner provided in Chapter 41, Title 21, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The board may secure bonds of the district solely from the receipts of special assessments, or may pledge such receipts in addition to the pledge of receipts from any tax levy authorized in this chapter, or from any combination of monies from the special assessments and tax levies. Bonds issued under Section 49-28-23 or Section 49-28-25 shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest solely from the sources authorized in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-303 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-303
Status: in_force

(1) The application of prescribed burning is a landowner property right and a land management tool that benefits the safety of the public, the environment and the economy of Mississippi. Pursuant thereto, the Legislature finds that:

(a) Prescribed burning reduces naturally occurring vegetative fuels within wild land areas. Reduction of the fuel load reduces the risk and severity of major catastrophic wildfire, thereby reducing the threat of loss of life and property, particularly in urbanizing areas.

(b) Most of Mississippi's natural communities require periodic fire for maintenance of their ecological integrity. Prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration and management of many plant and animal communities. Significant loss of the state's biological diversity will occur if fire is excluded from fire-dependent systems.

(c) Forest lands constitute significant economic, biological and aesthetic resources of statewide importance. Prescribed burning on forest land prepares sites for reforestation, removes undesirable competing vegetation, expedites nutrient cycling and controls or eliminates certain forest pathogens.

(d) The state manages hundreds of thousands of acres of land for parks, wildlife management areas, forests and other public purposes. The use of prescribed burning for management of public lands is essential to maintain the specific resource values for which these lands were acquired.

(e) Proper training in the use of prescribed burning is necessary to ensure maximum benefits and protection for the public.

(f) As Mississippi's population continues to grow, pressures from liability issues and nuisance complaints inhibit the use of prescribed burning.

(2) It is the purpose of Sections 49-19-301 through 49-19-307 to authorize and promote the continued use of prescribed burning for ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 25-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-9
Status: in_force

Any junkyard lawfully in existence on June 16, 1966, which is within one thousand (1,000) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of any highway on the interstate or primary system shall be screened, if feasible, by the state highway commission at locations on the highway right-of-way or in areas acquired for such purposes outside the right-of-way so as not to be visible from the main-traveled way of such highways.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-108 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-108
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-108
Status: in_force

Any bonds issued under authority of Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 , and at any time outstanding, may, at any time and from time to time, be refunded by a municipality by the issuance of its refunding bonds in such amount as the governing board may deem necessary, but not to exceed in the aggregate the sum of (a) the principal amount of the obligations to be refunded, (b) applicable redemption premiums thereon, (c) unpaid interest on such obligations to be refunded to the date of delivery or exchange of the refunding bonds, (d) in the event the proceeds from the sale of the refunding bonds are to be deposited in trust as hereinafter provided, interest to accrue on such obligations to be refunded from the date of delivery of the refunding bonds to the date of maturity of such obligations to be refunded, or to the first redemption date of such obligations to be refunded, whichever shall be earlier, and (e) expenses, premiums and commissions deemed by the governing board to be necessary in connection with the issuance of the refunding bonds.

Any such refunding may be effected whether the obligations to be refunded shall have then matured or shall thereafter mature, either by the exchange of the refunding bonds for the obligations to be refunded thereby or by sale of the refunding bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof to the payment of the obligations to be refunded thereby, provided that the holders of any bonds so to be refunded shall not be compelled without their consent to surrender their bonds for payment or exchange prior to the date on which they are payable or, if they are called for redemption, prior to the date on which they are, by their terms, subject to redemption, and regardless of whether or not the obligations to be refunded were issued in connection with the same projects or separate projects, and regardless of whether or not the obligations to be refunded shall be payable on the same date or different dates or shall be due serially or otherwise. Any refunding bonds issued under the authority of this section shall be payable from the revenues out of which the bonds to be refunded hereby were payable and shall be secured in accordance with the provisions of Section 49-17-107 and as authorized by this section.

The principal proceeds from the sale of any refunding bonds shall be applied to the payment of any expenses, premiums and commissions incurred in connection with such refunding and as follows:

(a) To the immediate payment and retirement of the obligations being refunded; or

(b) Deposited in trust to provide for the payment and retirement of the obligations being refunded, including the interest thereon, and to pay interest on the refunding bonds prior to the retirement of the obligations being refunded. Money in any such trust fund may be invested in direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are guaranteed by, the United States of America, or obligations of any agency or instrumentality of the United States Government, or in certificates of deposit issued by a bank or trust company located in the State of Mississippi, if such certificates shall be secured by a pledge of any of said obligations having an aggregate market value equal to one hundred twenty percent (120%) of the principal amount of the certificates so secured. Nothing herein shall be construed as a limitation on the duration of any deposit in trust for the retirement of obligations being refunded, but which shall not have matured and which shall not be presently redeemable.

Prior to the issuance of refunding bonds under this section no findings shall be required of the pollution authority under Section 49-17-111 . In lieu of the petition required by Section 49-17-121 , the governing board shall file with the board a petition giving a brief explanation of the proposal to refund the obligations sought to be refunded, and financial statements on the company obligated under the lease/sale. Upon the filing of the petition, the board shall, as soon as practicable, approve the issuance of such refunding bonds, unless it determines that the issuance of such bonds would not be consistent with the purposes of Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 ; and at any time not exceeding six (6) years following such approval the governing board may proceed with the issuance of such refunding bonds. The refunding bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to all other terms and conditions of Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 , except for those provisions which, by their terms, do not apply to such refunding bonds.

It is the intent of the legislature that the terms used in this section shall have the meanings set forth in Section 49-17-101 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-51 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 35-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-51
Status: in_force

For purposes of this article, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ NPL property subject to restoration ” means any property on a site that is (i) proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the National Priorities List (NPL) but not listed on the NPL; or (ii) listed on the NPL, except those NPL sites for which the United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued certificates of completion of the remediation set forth in the records of decision for those sites.

(b) “ Bona fide prospective purchaser ” means a person who acquires ownership of a facility located on NPL property subject to restoration and who establishes the criteria set forth in 42 USCS Section 9601(40) .

(c) “ Owner of NPL property subject to restoration ” means a person who has purchased or otherwise is the owner of record, other than any person or entity who caused the contamination, of NPL property subject to restoration.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-33 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-33
Status: in_force

The Southern Regional Fire Training Center Building located in Pearl, Mississippi, shall be renamed the Richard (Dick) Allen Building. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque, to be placed in a prominent place within the Richard (Dick) Allen Building which states the background, accomplishments and service to Mississippi of Richard Allen as Executive Director of the State Forestry Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 37 / Section 39-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5
Status: in_force

(1) There is established the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which shall consist of the following members:

(a) Four (4) members appointed by the Governor from geographically diverse areas;

(b) Three (3) members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor from geographically diverse areas;

(c) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission, as an ex officio, nonvoting member;

(d) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, as an ex officio, nonvoting member;

(e) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, as an ex officio, nonvoting member;

(f) The Secretary of State, as an ex officio, nonvoting member;

(g) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, as an ex officio, nonvoting member;

(h) The Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, as ex officio, nonvoting members;

(i) The Chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee, as ex officio, nonvoting members; and

(j) The Chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees, as ex officio, nonvoting members.

One (1) of the members to be appointed by the Governor shall be appointed only after consideration of recommendations for those appointments made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Governor. One (1) of the members to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor shall be appointed only after consideration of recommendations for those appointments made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the Lieutenant Governor.

(2) The members of the board appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be appointed from the following private sectors: forestry, conservation, agriculture, business, marine resources, hunting or fishing. Such members shall be and shall remain Mississippi residents during their tenure on the board and shall possess a demonstrated knowledge of and commitment to public lands, land conservation and outdoor recreation. These seven (7) appointments shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Mississippi State Senate.

(3)(a) Two (2) persons initially appointed by the Governor and two (2) persons initially appointed by the Lieutenant Governor shall serve terms ending June 30, 2025. The other two (2) persons initially appointed by the Governor and the remaining person initially appointed by the Lieutenant Governor shall serve terms ending June 30, 2026.

After the expiration of the initial terms, each such appointment shall be for a term of four (4) years from the expiration of the previous term.

(b) A majority of the voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of meetings, and all actions of the board shall require a majority vote of the voting members of the board.

(c) The board shall annually elect one (1) voting member to serve as chairman and one (1) voting member to serve as vice chairman. The vice chairman shall act as chairman in the absence or disability of the chairman, or if there is a vacancy in the office of chairman.

(4) The members of the board appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall receive a per diem as provided in Section 25-3-69 , plus travel and necessary expenses incidental to the attendance at each board meeting, including mileage, as provided in Section 25-3-41 .

(5) No board member shall use his official position to obtain, or attempt to obtain, pecuniary benefit for himself other than that compensation provided for by law, or to obtain, or attempt to obtain, pecuniary benefit for any relative or any business with which he is associated, as provided in Section 25-4-105 .

(6) The board shall not approve any funding to any entity of which a voting member of the board is an executive, member or employee.

(7) The Department of Finance and Administration shall provide the office space, staff and other support necessary for the board to perform its duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-717 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-717
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-717
Status: in_force

(1) If the authority is created, all powers of the George County Utility Authority shall be exercised by a board of directors comprised of five (5) directors appointed as follows: Within thirty (30) days of creation of the authority, the Board of Supervisors of George County shall appoint three (3) residents from the county, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Lucedale shall appoint two (2) residents from the city. The directors shall serve at the will and pleasure of the governing body making the appointments. Any vacancy arising by expiration of a director's term, or a vacancy created by the removal of a director for any other reason, shall be filled by appointment made by the party originally responsible for the appointment of the director vacating his or her appointment.

(2) All business of the George County Utility Authority shall be transacted as provided in Section 49-17-741 , except that all actions affecting rates, bonds or capital improvements must be by unanimous vote of all members of the board.

(3) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 27-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-45
Status: in_force

If, upon hearing such appeal, it appears to the court that any testimony has been improperly excluded by the commission or that the facts disclosed by the record are insufficient for the equitable disposition of the appeal, it shall refer the case back to the commission to take such evidence as it may direct and report the same to the court with the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-81
Status: in_force

(1) The term “ saltwater minnow ” as used in this section shall mean any species within the families Cyprinodontidae, Fundulidae or Poeciliidae.

(2) Before beginning operations to catch or transport saltwater minnows for sale, fishermen must obtain a saltwater live bait license and pay a fee according to the following schedule: A resident shall pay a fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), a nonresident shall pay a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100. 00) or if the nonresident's domicile state charges more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for residents of Mississippi to engage in a like activity, then that applicant shall pay the same fee or fees that the applicant's domicile state charges residents of Mississippi.

(3) All minnow traps placed in or on the marine waters of the State of Mississippi shall have a corrosion resistant metal or plastic tag attached to the trap to permanently mark the minnow traps for ownership. The tag used to mark the traps shall be legibly and permanently stamped with letters containing the applicable licensed minnow fishermen's full name. The minimum height of the letters shall be at least three-sixteenths ( 3 / 16 ) of an inch. The tags shall be supplied by the minnow fisherman.

(4) Licensed live bait catcher boats and licensed live bait dealers involved in the transporting of minnows are exempt from the commercial minnow licensing requirement in subsection (2) of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-101
Status: in_force

(1) Unless a different or other penalty or punishment is specially prescribed, a person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any law or regulation for the protection of wild animals, birds, or fish, or who fails to perform any duty imposed by such laws or regulations, or who violates or fails to comply with any lawful order, rule or regulation adopted by the commission is guilty of a Class III violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). In addition thereto, such person is liable, in the discretion of the court, to an additional penalty of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each animal, bird, or fish, or part thereof, or each nest or egg of any bird taken, possessed, or transported in violation of such law or regulation.

(2) Any person unlawfully killing a doe deer is guilty of a Class II violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143 .

(3) Any person killing a wild turkey hen, except when permitted by the commission is guilty of a Class II violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143 .

(4) Any person killing any turkey out of season, and any person baiting turkeys is guilty of a Class II violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143 .

(5) Any person unlawfully trapping quail or any other game bird within this state is guilty of a Class II violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143 .

(6) Any person transporting, shipping, or carrying quail or any other game bird within, or from within to a point without this state, without first having secured permission from the executive director to so do, shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 49-1-1 et seq. , be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58.3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-58.3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58.3
Status: in_force

(1) The commission may regulate the hunting of nonnative cervids in noncommercial wildlife enclosures, and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may enforce such regulations and laws in the same manner as commercial wildlife enclosures as provided in Section 49-11-25 .

(2) A violation of this section is a Class I violation and punishable as provided in Section 49-7-141 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-745 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-745
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-745
Status: in_force

(1) The county authority shall have the power, duty and responsibility to exercise general supervision over the design, construction, operation and maintenance of water, wastewater and storm water systems.

(2) The county authority shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the design, construction or installation, operation and maintenance of water, wastewater and storm water systems.

(3) The county authority shall adopt rules and regulations regarding the use of decentralized treatment systems, individual on-site wastewater treatment systems and centralized wastewater treatment systems.

(4) The county authority shall adopt rules establishing performance standards for water, wastewater and storm water systems and the operation and maintenance of the same. Such rules and regulations shall include the implementation of a standard application form for the installation, operation and maintenance of such systems; application review; approval or denial procedures for any proposed system; inspection, monitoring and reporting guidelines; and enforcement procedures.

(5)(a) Before a building or development which requires the installation of a water, wastewater or storm water system is constructed, the system must be submitted to the county authority for certification that the system complies with the county authority requirements for such system.

(b) Before approving or renewing a water, wastewater or storm water related permit for a system within a county authority, the state agency must require certification that the system complies with the requirements of the county authority.

(6) Any system of any municipality, public agency or other persons which contracts with a county authority, shall be subject to the terms of that contract and the terms of this act.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 51-39-1 et seq. , the county authority shall have the full power to adopt rules and regulations and to construct, maintain and operate facilities for the control of storm water quality and quantity. In addition, the provisions of Section 51-33-1 et seq. relating to drainage districts and flood control districts do not apply to the county authority.

(8) The county authority may control and operate the local retail water, wastewater or storm water services and may provide or be responsible for direct servicing of those services to residences, businesses and individuals; however, the county authority shall not provide the same service in an area provided by a public utility or person holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Mississippi Public Service Commission for the provision of such services in the certificated area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-19
Status: in_force

Notices or sign boards not less than one (1) foot square, warning all persons against hunting, trapping, or fishing, or trespassing thereon for that purpose, shall be conspicuously posted by the executive director, or under his direction, close to and along the entire boundary of any refuge, sanctuary, rest ground, lake or stream, or portion thereof, closed to hunting or fishing by order of the commission, in such number as the executive director may deem necessary.

No order of the commission closing any area to hunting, trapping or fishing shall become effective until such order has been published in the manner required by Section 49-1-45 and copy of the order, certified by the secretary of the commission, shall be filed in the office of the sheriff of the county or counties in which such closed area is located.

No person shall take or destroy any animal, bird, or fish, or bird's nest or egg, or eggs or spawn of fish in any refuge, sanctuary, rest ground, or other area closed to hunting, trapping or fishing by order of the commission, but it shall be lawful for a duly accredited employee of the state or of the federal government to take predatory animals or birds on any such closed area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 26-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds that channel maintenance is necessary to preserve and enhance the economic stability and recreational potential of the coastal region. The Legislature declares it to be a governmental responsibility to provide for proper channel maintenance. The Legislature further declares that channel maintenance projects are in the public interest. Those projects should be funded to promote the use of cost-efficient strategies, encourage coordination among federal, state and local governments and the private sector, provide for long-term solutions and minimize the impact of the environment to the extent possible.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307
Status: in_force

The department shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To implement the policy of the department regarding marine resources within the jurisdiction of the department;

(b) To apply for, receive and expend any federal or state funds or contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any other source;

(c) To commission or conduct studies designed to determine alternative methods of managing and conserving the marine resources of this state in a manner to ensure efficiency and sustained productivity;

(d) To issue permits and licenses authorized by law or regulation;

(e) To equip and supply check stations, remote duty stations and personnel for extended duty;

(f) To develop programs to enhance the marketing of the state's recreational and commercial marine resources;

(g) To provide gear, insignias, and otherwise equip personnel subject to the amount appropriated for those purposes; and

(h) To discharge any other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 28-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9
Status: in_force

If no petition requiring an election is filed or if three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of those voting in the election provided in Section 49-28-7 vote in favor of the creation of the district, the board of supervisors shall adopt a resolution creating the district as described in the resolution of intent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-7
Status: in_force

A commercial quail breeder's license must first be obtained from the commission, or its agents. The license shall be applied for each year and shall be valid from April 1 to March 31 next following, upon payment of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each license. The license must bear a number as designated by the commission, and shall be conspicuously exhibited at all times at the place where quail are bred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-83 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-83
Status: in_force

Nothing in Sections 49-15-71 through 49-15-81 shall be interpreted to circumvent or diminish the powers of the commission in the exercise of its jurisdiction and authority as provided under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-219 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-219
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-219
Status: in_force

The commission shall have the following powers and duties to implement the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 :

(a) To determine which approved practices shall be eligible for cost-share assistance;

(b) To establish maximum sums, subject to the provisions of Section 49-19-221 , which any one (1) eligible owner may receive for implementation of an approved practice;

(c) To review periodically the costs of forest development practices and to make such adjustment as, in the discretion of the commission, is necessary in the Thirty-seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($37.50) per acre assistance allowed in Section 49-19-221 ;

(d) Upon request of the forestry commission, the attorney general of the State of Mississippi shall institute proper legal proceedings to recover any or all of the cost-share assistance provided an eligible owner if the commission shall determine that the owner failed to implement any portion of or all of the practice approved by the commission for such owner and if the commission determines that legal proceedings are necessary and proper.

(e) To determine, before approving any cost-share assistance for any eligible owner that such approved practice is reasonable and is comparable to the actual cost of implementing such practice in the general area in which the land is located. Should the commission determine that the submitted cost of implementing the approved practice is not reasonable, the commission shall approve cost-share assistance in an amount which is determined by the commission to be reasonable for the implementation of the approved practice in the general area in which the land is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-49 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-49
Status: in_force

Appeals may be taken from the chancery court to the Supreme Court in the manner as now required by law, except that if a supersedeas is desired by the party appealing from the chancery court, he may apply therefor to the chancellor thereof, who shall award a writ of supersedeas without additional bond if, in his judgment, material damage is not likely to result thereby, but otherwise he shall require such supersedeas bond as he deems proper which shall be liable to the state or applicant for such damage.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 31-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19
Status: in_force

(1) On or before July 1, 2007, the Department of Education with advice of the Department of Environmental Quality is directed to develop or select curriculum, including materials and resource guides, for a waste minimization awareness program at the elementary and secondary levels of education.

(2) In order to orient students and their families to the minimization of waste and to encourage the participation of schools, communities and families in waste minimization programs, the school board of each school district in the state shall provide a program of student instruction in the minimization of waste materials. The instruction shall be provided at both the elementary and secondary levels of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-26 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-26
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-26
Status: in_force

If the commission determines, after adequate scientific investigation and evaluation, that a chemical as defined in Sections 69-23-3 and 75-47-5(a) in the underground water exceeds or is likely to exceed duly adopted state standards and that the source of the chemical is not within the regulatory jurisdiction of the commission, the commission shall notify the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, which shall proceed in accordance with Section 69-23-7 and other existing laws.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-119 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-119
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Volunteer Fire Department Equipment Conversion Revolving Fund. The revolving fund shall consist of monies received from charges for work and services performed for volunteer fire departments by the commission.

(2) Monies in the revolving fund shall be used by the State Forestry Commission, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to assist in the conversion of vehicles acquired by the commission through the Federal Excess Personal Property Program or by volunteer fire departments through other means to adapt them for use in the suppression of wildland fires. This assistance shall be in the form of fabrication of water tanks or other accessories necessary for the operation of fire suppression units, installation of piping and valves, painting or other similar or associated component work necessary to place fire suppression equipment into service; such assistance is not for general vehicle maintenance or repair.

(3) The State Treasurer shall make disbursements from the revolving fund for payment of materials, supplies and labor upon requisition of the commission and upon the issuance of warrants therefor by the Department of Finance and Administration.

(4) The amount of monies deposited into the revolving fund from such charges shall not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00). Funds in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) from such charges shall be deposited into the Forestry Commission's regular appropriated special funds.

(5) Monies remaining in the revolving fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on the revolving fund shall be deposited to the credit of the revolving fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-23
Status: in_force

The commission shall keep the minutes of the commission, including all orders, rules and regulations promulgated, in a record book, or books, especially prepared for that purpose.

All minutes of commission meetings and hearings, and all rules, regulations, and orders made by the commission shall be in writing and shall be filed in full by the commission in a book for such purposes, to be kept by the commission which shall be a public record and open to inspection by the public at all times during all reasonable hours. The commission shall compile and publish annually the rules and regulations promulgated by the commission in current consolidated version. The commission shall provide the consolidated compilation of the rules and regulations to the public for a cost sufficient to cover printing and postage and administrative expenses, including the cost of any contractual services necessary to compile and publish such rules and regulations on an annual basis. A copy of any rule, minutes, regulation or order certified by the commission shall be received in evidence in all courts of this state with the same effect as the original. The commission shall compile and index on a current date basis all orders of the commission in a book for such purposes that shall be available for inspection and copying by the public. All responsibilities of the commission pursuant to this section may be delegated by the commission to the Executive Director.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 31-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-11
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created in the Department of Environmental Quality, the Mississippi Multimedia Pollution Prevention Program, herein referred to as “program,” for the following purposes:

(a) To compile, organize and make available for distribution information on pollution prevention and recycling technologies and procedures;

(b) To sponsor and conduct conferences and workshops on pollution prevention and recycling;

(c) To facilitate and promote the transfer of pollution prevention and recycling technologies and procedures among business, industry, academic institutions and governmental entities;

(d) To provide funds, as may be appropriated or otherwise made available therefor, to business, industry, academic institutions, private organizations and governmental entities:

(i) To conduct demonstrations or pilot programs utilizing innovative pollution prevention and recycling technologies and procedures;

(ii) To defray costs of basic and applied research on pollution prevention and recycling; and

(iii) To subsidize costs of conducting pollution prevention potential analyses and studies, and developing, purchasing and implementing pollution prevention and recycling technologies and procedures or for other related purposes;

(e) To develop the necessary programs, information and materials:

(i) To collect data to assist in establishing program priorities and evaluation of the progress of pollution prevention and recycling;

(ii) To train business, industry, academic institutions and governmental entities to promote and provide information about pollution prevention and recycling practices and their applicability;

(iii) To establish and implement waste exchange programs;

(iv) To prioritize current state grant funding assistance for local government recycling;

(v) To provide technical assistance programs specific to the development of businesses that recycle;

(vi) To produce a report that shall be available to the public with information on the amount of unrecycled products within the state;

(f) To increase public education and public awareness of waste management issues;

(g) To provide pollution prevention and recycling technical assistance to industries, businesses and local governments;

(h) To participate in state, federal and industrial networks of individuals and groups actively involved in pollution prevention and recycling activities and promotion; and

(i) To provide assistance to counties and municipalities for the establishment of regional recycling centers at regional correctional facilities.

(2) The Commission on Environmental Quality may adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the commission under this chapter.

(3) The Commission on Environmental Quality shall coordinate recycling activities among municipalities and local governing authorities and promote pollution prevention, recycling, reuse of wastes, in lieu of treatment and disposal of such wastes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 28-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any contiguous area situated within any county of the state located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and not being situated within the corporate boundaries of any existing municipality, and experiencing shoreline and beach erosion and other related problems, may become incorporated as a shoreline and beach preservation district in the manner set forth in the following sections. The purpose of the district shall be to provide for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and improvement of shoreline and beach improvement projects, including habitat restoration projects. This chapter shall not apply to Harrison County or Hancock County, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-69
Status: in_force

(1) Any resident citizen of the State of Mississippi (a) who is not over sixteen (16) years of age; or (b) who is sixty-five (65) years of age or more; or (c) who has been adjudged to have a service-connected one hundred percent (100%) disability, shall not be required to purchase or possess a license or permit, except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, or to pay any fee or charge when fishing for or taking for personal, noncommercial use the following: (a) crabs, (b) shrimps, or (c) oysters.

(2) The commission is hereby directed to promulgate and publish rules and regulations to implement the policy set forth in subsection (1) of this section. Such rules shall provide that persons exempted under subsection (1) of this section shall apply to the department for certification as to age or disability and shall be required to carry a certification card issued by the commission while engaged in taking above-mentioned marine life.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 33-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5
Status: in_force

It is declared the policy of the State of Mississippi to conserve, protect and encourage the continued use, development and improvement of forest and agricultural land within the state for the production of agricultural products and timber, wood and forest products including nongame species. The vital and significant contributions of forestry and agricultural activities to the economy of the State of Mississippi and the use of land in the state as forest and agricultural lands are essential factors in providing for the favorable quality of life in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 26-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-5
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Marine Resources, referred to in this chapter as “department,” shall serve as the primary state agency with regard to coordinating channel maintenance activities along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

(2) The department shall develop a comprehensive long-range management plan for channel maintenance activities. The plan shall at a minimum:

(a) Identify areas in which channels are in need of maintenance;

(b) Assess the short-term and long-term economic costs and benefits of the state's channels;

(c) Promote channel sand bypassing to replicate the natural flow of sand; and

(d) Recommend channel maintenance projects to the Legislature for funding which ensures the geographic coordination and sequencing of prioritized projects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 28-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-3
Status: in_force

A petition for the incorporation of a shoreline and beach preservation district may be submitted to the board of supervisors of a county, referred to in this chapter as “board of supervisors,” signed by not less than twenty-five (25) owners of real property residing within the boundaries of the proposed district. The petition shall include: (a) a statement of the necessity for the creation of the proposed district; (b) the proposed corporate name for the district; (c) the proposed boundaries of the district, which shall not include any property used for industrial purposes, unless the owner of that property submits a written request to the board of supervisors to be included in the district; (d) an estimate of the cost of special improvement projects to be conducted and maintained by the district; however the estimate shall not serve as a limitation upon the financing of any project; (e) a statement of whether or not the board of supervisors of the county shall exercise the authority to levy the tax outlined in Section 49-28-27 ; and (f) a statement of whether or not the board of supervisors of the county shall exercise the authority to make assessments as outlined in Section 49-28-29 . The petition shall be signed in person by the petitioners, with their respective residence addresses. The petition shall be accompanied by a sworn statement of the person or persons circulating the petition stating that the person or persons witnessed the signature of each petitioner, that each signature is the signature of the person it purports to be, and that, to the best of the person's or persons' knowledge, each petitioner was at the time of signing an owner of real property within and a resident of the proposed district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-11
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is hereby established and full power is vested in the department to manage, control, supervise, enforce and direct any matters pertaining to saltwater aquatic life and marine resources under the jurisdiction of the commission.

(2) The Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources shall have the authority to internally reorganize the Department of Marine Resources. For a period of six (6) months after April 16, 2014, the personnel actions of the executive director shall be exempt from State Personnel Board rules, regulations and procedures in order to give the executive director flexibility in making an orderly, effective and timely reorganization of the Department of Marine Resources.

(3) The department shall be composed of the following offices:

(a) Office of Coastal Resources Management;

(b) Office of Finance and Administration;

(c) Office of Marine Fisheries;

(d) Office of Marine Patrol; and

(e) Office of Coastal Restoration and Resiliency.

Each office shall be composed of the administrative units as set forth in the reorganization plan developed by the executive director.

(4) The following agency personnel shall be appointed by the executive director:

(a) Chief Financial Officer who shall have a minimum of a master's degree in business administration, accounting or related field and a minimum of five (5) years' experience in business management or accounting practice or who shall be a Certified Public Accountant.

(b) Chief of Marine Patrol who shall be a certified law enforcement officer with a minimum of ten (10) years of law enforcement experience.

(c) Chief Scientific Officer who shall have a minimum of a master's degree in coastal sciences or related field with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in coastal resource management or equivalent experience.

(5) The executive director shall have an annual audit of the department, including the accounts established in Section 49-15-17 , performed by an independent certified public accountant and shall file the audit report with the commission, the Chairman of the Senate Ports and Marine Resources Committee, the Chairman of the House Marine Resources Committee, the State Auditor and the Legislative Budget Office.

(6) Whenever the terms “ Mississippi Marine Conservation Commission ,” “ Marine Conservation Commission ,” “ Bureau of Marine Resources ” and “ Mississippi Marine Resources Council ” appear in any state law, they shall mean the Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources, which shall operate only as an advisory commission to the Department of Marine Resources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 33 / Section 39-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-7
Status: in_force

(1)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the “Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund.” The special fund shall consist of monies appropriated by the Legislature. Monies shall be accounted for in such a manner to be termed unobligated funds or obligated funds. Unexpended amounts remaining in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the special fund shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund; however, any unobligated monies in excess of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00), excluding federal funds, remaining in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year that have not been appropriated shall lapse into the State General Fund. Monies in the special fund may be used upon selection by the board. The board and the Department of Finance and Administration may use not more than two percent (2%) of monies in the special fund to defray the board's expenses in carrying out its duties under this chapter.

(b) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, monies in the special fund may be used and expended by the board to provide funds for grants to counties, municipalities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities for:

(i) Improvement of state park outdoor recreation features and trails;

(ii) Acquisition and improvement of parks and trails by counties and municipalities, if such parks and trails lie within the jurisdiction of such counties and municipalities;

(iii) Restoration or enhancement projects to create or improve access to public waters and lands for public outdoor recreation, conservation education, or the safe use and enjoyment of permanently protected conservation land;

(iv) Restoration or enhancement on privately owned working agricultural lands and forests that support conservation of soil, water, habitat of fish and wildlife resources;

(v) Restoration or enhancement of wetlands, native forests, native grasslands and other unique habitats important for Mississippi's fish and wildlife; and

(vi) Acquisition of critical areas for the provision or protection of clean water, wildlife, hunting, fishing, military installation buffering or natural resource-based outdoor recreation. Real property may only be acquired under this subparagraph (vi) when the property:

1. Is, at the time of acquisition, being leased by the state as a wildlife management area;

2. Adjoins or is in close proximity to state or federal wildlife management areas or state parks, or would provide better public access to such areas;

3. Is identified in a wildlife action plan developed by a state agency;

4. Constitutes riparian lands, and its acquisition is for the purpose of protecting any drinking water supply; or

5. Surrounds a military base or military installation.

Acquisition of land under this subparagraph (vi) may not be made through the exercise of any power of eminent domain or any condemnation proceeding.

(c) Unless otherwise authorized by the board, a county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity receiving funds for a project under this section must expend the funds for the project within two (2) years after receipt of the funds in order to be eligible to apply for additional funds for the project under this section. If a county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity receiving funds for a project does not expend the funds within two (2) years after receipt of the funds, then the county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity must provide an accounting of such unused funds and the reason for failure to expend the funds. If the board determines that the project will not be completed in a timely manner, the county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity must then return any unexpended funds.

(d) Monies in the special fund may not be used, expended or transferred for any other purpose other than authorized in this chapter.

(e) Any state agency receiving funds from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund under this section may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds.

(2)(a) The board shall accept applications from counties, municipalities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities for project proposals eligible for funding under this section. The board shall evaluate the proposals received in accordance with this chapter.

(b) A county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity desiring assistance under this section must submit a complete application to the board. The application must include a description of the purpose for which assistance is requested, the type and amount of assistance requested and any other information required by the board.

(c) The board shall require annual independent audits of all expenditures from the special fund and present those findings to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees and Chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees.

(d) To be eligible for funding, any nongovernmental entity applicant must submit its most recent audit, disclose any audit deficiencies in the previous five (5) years, submit its certificate of good standing from the Mississippi Secretary of State, and submit a current list of its board members for purposes of conflicts of interest.

(e) For funds to be spent on private land, the applicant must show demonstrably that the project will benefit the public.

(f) Projects that acquire property shall not be considered for approval until after July 1, 2024.

(3) The board, at its first meeting of each calendar year, shall prepare a list of priorities and criteria to guide the selection of projects. The board shall give increased priority to projects:

(a) Supporting the public recreation and conservation efforts of state agencies, counties and municipalities;

(b) Leveraging or matching other nonfederal or federal funds available for similar purposes;

(c) Supporting and promoting recreation in the form of archery, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, running, jogging, biking, walking, shooting or similar outdoor activities;

(d) Contributing to the improvement of the quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater; or

(e) Contributing to the conservation of soil, water, and fish and wildlife resources on privately owned working agricultural lands or forests.

(4) Upon approval of the total list of projects by the board, the list of projects shall be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees and Chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees. If federal funds or guidelines become available and are certified by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration or the Executive Director of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Fund, the board shall be authorized to expend funds from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and shall notify the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees, Chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees, and Legislative Budget Office of such expenditures prior to their distribution to certain projects approved by the board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-17
Status: in_force

The state and county boards of public education are directed to provide for proper courses of instruction by textbooks, or lectures on the general subject of forestry in all the public schools and colleges of this state; and they are further directed to provide for the celebration of arbor day by all public schools, on which day ornamental and shade trees, flowers, etc., are to be placed, where practicable, on the grounds surrounding all public schoolhouses.