Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-423 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-423
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-423
Status: in_force

The commission shall administer the expenditure of any funds made available from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund established by the Federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Public Law No. 99-499 , October 17, 1986, Public Law No. 99-563 , October 27, 1986, 42 USC Sections 9671 - 9675 , and shall have authority to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to administer this program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 19-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-3
Status: repealed

The duties and powers of the commission shall be:

(a) To appoint a State Forester, who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the commission and who is qualified to perform the duties as set forth herein; and to pay him such salary as is provided by the Legislature, and allow him such office expenses incidental to the performance of his official duties as the commission, in its discretion, may deem necessary; and to charge him with the immediate direction and control, subject to the supervision and approval of the commission, of all matters relating to forestry as authorized herein. Any person appointed by the commission as State Forester shall have received a bachelor's degree in forestry from an accredited school or college of forestry and shall be licensed and registered under the provisions of the Mississippi Foresters Registration Law ( Section 73-36-1 et seq. ) and in addition shall have had at least five (5) years' administrative experience in a forestry-related field.

(b) To take such action and provide and maintain such organized means as may seem necessary and expedient to prevent, control and extinguish forest fires, including the enforcement of any and all laws pertaining to the protection of forests and woodland.

(c) To encourage forest and tree planting for the production of a wood crop, for the protection of water supply, for windbreak and shade, or for any other beneficial purposes contributing to the general welfare, public hygiene and comfort of the people.

(d) To cause to be made such technical investigations and studies concerning forest conditions, the propagation, care and protection of forest and shade trees, the care and management of forests, their growth, yield and the products and by-products thereof, and any other competent subject, including forest taxation, bearing on the timber supply and needs of the state, which the commission, in its discretion, may deem proper.

(e) To assist and cooperate with any federal or state department or institution, county, town, corporation or individual, under such terms as in the judgment of the commission will best serve the public interest, in the preparation and execution of plans for the protection, management, replacement, or extension of the forest, woodland and roadside or other ornamental tree growth in the state.

(f) To encourage public interest in forestry by means of correspondence, the public press, periodicals, the publication of bulletins and leaflets for general distribution, the delivery of lectures in the schools and other suitable means, and to cooperate to the fullest extent with the extension department services of the state colleges in promoting reforestation. It shall be the duty of the State Forester to cooperate with private timber owners in laying plans for the protection, management and replacement of forests and in aiding them to form protection associations. It shall be his duty to examine all timbered lands belonging to the state and its institutions and report to the commission upon their timber conditions and actual value, and also whether some of these lands may not be held as state forests. He shall be responsible for the protection and management of lands donated, purchased or belonging to the state or state institutions, and all other lands reserved by the state as state forests.

(g) To control the expenditure of any and all funds appropriated or otherwise made available for the several purposes set forth herein under suitable regulations and restrictions by the commission and to specifically authorize any officer or employee of the commission to incur necessary and stipulated expenses in connection with the work in which such person may be engaged.

(h) To submit annually to the Legislature a report of the expenditures, proceedings and results achieved, together with such other matters including recommendations concerning legislation as are germane to the aims and purposes of this chapter.

(i) To create, establish and organize the State of Mississippi into forestry districts for the most effective and efficient administration of the commission.

(j) [Repealed]
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-31
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the commission or an employee thereof has reason to believe that a violation of any provision of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 or Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 or a regulation or of any order of the commission or of any limitation or condition of a valid permit has occurred, the commission may cause a written complaint to be served upon the alleged violator or violators. The complaint shall specify the provisions of said sections or regulation or order or permit alleged to be violated and the facts alleged to constitute a violation thereof, and shall require that the alleged violator appear before the commission at a time and place specified in the notice and answer the charges complained of. Said time of appearance before the commission shall be not less than ten (10) days from the date of the service of the complaint.

(b) The commission shall afford an opportunity for a fair hearing to the alleged violator or violators at the time and place specified in the complaint. On the basis of the evidence produced at the hearing, the commission shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter such order as in its opinion will best further the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 , and shall give written notice of such order to the alleged violator and to such other persons as shall have appeared at the hearing or made written request for notice of the order, and the commission may assess such penalties as hereinafter provided.

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice, or other instrument issued by or under authority of the commission may be served on any person affected thereby personally or by publication, and proof of such service may be made in like manner as in case of service of a summons in a civil action, such proof to be filed in the office of the commission; or such service may be made by mailing a copy of the notice, order, or other instrument by certified mail, directed to the person affected at his last known post-office address as shown by the files or records of the commission, and proof thereof may be made by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing, filed in the office of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-33-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / 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. § 49-15-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-9
Status: in_force

The sole right of planting, cultivating in racks or other structures, and gathering oysters and erecting bathhouses and other structures in front of any land bordering on the Gulf of Mexico or Mississippi Sound or waters tributary thereto belongs to the riparian owner and extends not more than seven hundred fifty (750) yards from the shore, except for state-owned lands on Deer Island, which shall be not more than four hundred (400) yards from shore, measuring from the average low water mark, and except for state-owned lands along the Hancock County shoreline from Bayou Caddy to the Mississippi-Louisiana state boundary, which shall not extend out further than three hundred (300) yards from the average low watermark, but where the distance from shore to shore is less than fifteen hundred (1500) yards, the owners of either shore may plant and gather to a line equidistant between the two (2) shores, but no person shall plant in any natural channel so as to interfere with navigation, and such riparian rights shall not include any reef or natural oyster bed and does not extend beyond any channel. A riparian owner shall comply with the Coastal Wetlands Protection Act in exercising the use of these riparian rights. Stakes of such frail materials as will not injure any watercraft may be set up to designate the bounds of the plantation, but navigation shall not be impeded thereby. The riparian owner shall clearly mark such cultivation racks and other structures. The department may adopt regulations to require that the racks are adequately marked to ensure the safety of users of public waters. Any oysters planted by such riparian owner are the private property of such riparian owner, subject to the right of the department to adopt reasonable rules and regulations as to the planting and gathering of such oysters. All bathhouses, piers, wharfs, docks and pavilions, or other structures owned by the riparian owner are likewise the private property of such owner, who shall be entitled to the exclusive use, occupancy and possession thereof, and may abate any private or public nuisance committed by any person or persons in the area of his riparian ownership and may, for such purposes, resort to any remedial action authorized by law. The governing authorities of any municipality and the board of supervisors of any county are authorized to adopt reasonable rules and regulations to protect riparian owners in the enjoyment of their riparian rights, and for such purposes may regulate the use of beaches, landings, and riparian areas abutting or fronting on roads, streets or highways.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 35-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23
Status: in_force

This article shall not:

(a) Affect the authority of local governments to regulate land use under applicable statutes. The use or uses of the brownfield agreement site and any land-use restrictions or engineering controls in the brownfield agreement shall be consistent with local land-use regulations adopted under applicable statutes;

(b) Amend, modify, repeal, or otherwise alter any provision of law available to the commission relating to enforcement of violations of federal or state law within its jurisdiction, including civil and criminal penalties;

(c) Prevent or impede the immediate response of the department or responsible party to an emergency that involves an imminent or actual release of a contaminant that threatens public health or the environment;

(d) Relieve a person receiving liability protection under this section from any liability for environmental contamination later caused or made worse by that person on or under a brownfield agreement site;

(e) Affect the right of any person who may have liability with respect to the brownfield agreement site to seek contribution from any other person who may have liability with respect to the brownfield agreement site and who does not have liability protection under this article;

(f) Prevent the commission from enforcing specific numerical remediation standards, monitoring, or compliance requirements specifically required by the federal government to be enforced as a condition for the department to receive or maintain program authorization, delegation, primacy, or federal funds;

(g) Create a defense against the imposition of criminal and civil penalties or other administrative enforcement remedies authorized by law and imposed as the result of the illegal disposal of solid waste or a regulated substance or for the pollution of the land, air, or waters of this state on or under a brownfield agreement site;

(h) Relieve a person of any liability for failure to exercise due diligence and reasonable care in performing an environmental assessment; or

(i) Create or convey any real or personal property rights, tangible or intangible, to any person.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-38 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-38
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-38
Status: in_force

(1) Any person who is exempt from having a hunting license and any person licensed to hunt deer with a bow or primitive weapon may hunt with a crossbow or bow and arrow during any open season on deer, turkey or small game.

(2) When hunting during any gun season on deer, the hunter must comply with Section 49-7-31.1 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-205 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-205
Status: in_force

(1) All other property which is forfeited under Sections 49-15-201 through 49-15-207 , and except as provided in subsections (2), (5) and (6) of this section, shall be liquidated and, after deduction of court costs and the expenses of liquidation, the proceeds shall be divided and deposited as follows:

(a) If only one (1) law enforcement agency participates in the underlying criminal case out of which the forfeiture arises, fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer and deposited in the General Fund of the state and fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds shall be deposited and credited to the budget of the participating law enforcement agency.

(b) If more than one (1) law enforcement agency participates in the underlying criminal case out of which the forfeiture arises, fifty percent (50%) of the proceeds shall be deposited and credited to the budget of the law enforcement agency whose officers initiated the criminal case and fifty percent (50%) shall be divided equitably between or among the other participating law enforcement agencies, and shall be deposited and credited to the budgets of the participating law enforcement agencies. If the other participating law enforcement agencies cannot agree on the division of their fifty percent (50%), a petition shall be filed by any one of them in the court in which the civil forfeiture case is brought and the court shall make an equitable division.

(2) All money which is forfeited under Sections 49-15-201 through 49-15-207 shall be divided, deposited and credited in the same manner as set forth in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) All property forfeited, deposited and credited to the Department of Marine Resources under Sections 49-15-201 through 49-15-207 shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer and deposited in the Seafood Fund for use by the Department of Marine Resources upon appropriation by the Legislature.

(4) All other property that has been forfeited shall, except as otherwise provided, be sold at a public auction for cash by the chief law enforcement officer of the initiating law enforcement agency, or his designee, to the highest and best bidder after advertising the sale for at least once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks, the last notice to appear not more than ten (10) days nor less than five (5) days prior to such sale, in a newspaper having a general circulation in the jurisdiction in which said law enforcement agency is located. Such notices shall contain a description of the property to be sold and a statement of the time and place of sale. It shall not be necessary to the validity of such sale either to have the property present at the place of sale or to have the name of the owner thereof stated in such notice. The proceeds of the sale shall be disposed of as follows:

(a) To any bona fide lien holder, secured party, or other party holding an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest, to the extent of his interest; and

(b) The balance, if any, remaining after deduction of all storage, court costs and expenses of liquidation shall be divided, forwarded and deposited in the same manner set out in subsection (1) of this section.

(5) Any state, county or municipal law enforcement agency may maintain, repair, use and operate for official purposes all property or money that has been forfeited to the agency if it is free from any interest of a bona fide lien holder, secured party or other party who holds an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest. Such state, county or municipal law enforcement agency may purchase the interest of a bona fide lien holder, secured party or other party who holds an interest so that the property can be released for its use. If the property is a motor vehicle susceptible of titling under the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Title Law, the law enforcement agency shall be deemed to be the purchaser, and the certificate of title shall be issued to it as required by subsection (7) of this section.

(6) The Department of Marine Resources may maintain, repair, use and operate for official purposes all property, other than money that has been forfeited to the Department of Marine Resources if it is free from any interest of a bona fide lien holder, secured party, or other party who holds an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest. In such case, the Department of Marine Resources may purchase the interest of a bona fide lien holder, secured party, or other party who holds an interest so that such property can be released for use by the department.

The Department of Marine Resources may maintain, repair, use and operate such property with money appropriated to the department for current operations. If the property is a motor vehicle susceptible of titling under the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Title Law, the Department of Marine Resources is deemed to be the purchaser and the certificate of title shall be issued to it as required by subsection (7) of this section.

(7) The State Tax Commission shall issue a certificate of title to any person who purchases property under the provisions of this section when a certificate of title is required under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-529 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-529
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-529
Status: in_force

(1) Any person found by the commission to have violated Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or any rule or regulation or written order of the commission issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or any certificate or accreditation issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation. The penalty may be assessed and levied by order of the commission after notice and hearing in accordance with subsection (5) of this section. In addition, the commission may issue a reprimand or a suspension or revocation of any certificate issued to the person under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 . The reprimand, suspension or revocation may be assessed and levied by order of the commission after notice and hearing as provided in subsection (5) of this section.

(2) In lieu of, or in addition to, the penalty provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the commission may institute and maintain in the name of the state any proceedings necessary to enforce Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 , rules and regulations adopted under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 , and orders and certificates issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 in the appropriate circuit, chancery, county or justice court of the county in which venue may lie. The commission may obtain mandatory or prohibitory injunctive relief, either temporary or permanent, and it shall not be necessary in those cases that the state plead or prove: (a) that irreparable damage would result if the injunction did not issue; (b) that there is no adequate remedy at law; or (c) that a written complaint or commission order has first been issued for the alleged violation.

(3) Any person who knowingly submits false or inaccurate information in support of an application for issuance or reissuance of an accreditation or a certificate under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or who willfully fails to comply with the conditions of the accreditation or the certificate issued by the commission or who willfully violates Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 , or any rule, regulation or written order of the commission or emergency order issued by the director in pursuance thereof, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) within the discretion of the court. Each day in which that violation exists or continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(4) In addition to or in lieu of filing a criminal complaint for the willful misconduct described in subsection (3) of this section, the commission may impose a civil penalty in accordance with subsection (1)(a) of this section, and shall impose a reprimand or a suspension or revocation of any certificate in accordance with subsection (1)(b) of this section.

(5) All proceedings and hearings before the commission regarding violations of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or any rule or regulation, written order of the commission, emergency order of the director or certificate issued or reissued by the commission in pursuance thereof or any certificate issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 and all appeals therefrom shall be conducted in accordance with Sections 49-17-31 through 49-17-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(6) All fines, penalties and other sums recovered or collected by the commission for and on behalf of the state under this section shall be deposited in the Pollution Emergency Fund established under Section 49-17-68, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-3
Status: in_force

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

(a) “ Board ” means the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund.

(b) “ Conservation land ” means land and water, or interests therein, that are in their undeveloped, natural states or that have been developed only to the extent consistent with, or are restored to be consistent with, at least one (1) of the following environmental values or conservation benefits:

(i) Water quality protection for wetlands, rivers, streams or lakes;

(ii) Protection of wildlife habitat;

(iii) Protection of cultural sites and archeological and historic resources;

(iv) Protection of land around Mississippi's military installations to ensure that missions are compatible with surrounding communities and that encroachment on military installations does not impair future missions;

(v) Support of economic development through conservation projects;

(vi) Provision for recreation in the form of archery, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, running, jogging, biking, walking, shooting or similar outdoor activities; or

(vii) Recruiting or retention of recreation in the form of archery, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, running, jogging, biking, walking, shooting or similar outdoor activities.

(c) “ Nongovernmental entity ” means a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) status that is primarily concerned with the protection and conservation of land and natural resources, as evidenced by its organizational documents.

(d) “ Permanently protected conservation areas ” means those resources:

(i) Owned by the federal government and dedicated for recreation or conservation or as a natural resource;

(ii) Owned by the State of Mississippi, or a county or municipality in Mississippi, and dedicated for recreation or conservation or as a natural resource;

(iii) Owned by the State of Mississippi, or a county or municipality in Mississippi, and subject to:

1. A conservation easement ensuring that the property will be maintained in a manner consistent with conservation land;

2. Contractual arrangements ensuring that, if the protected status is discontinued on a parcel, such property will be replaced by other conservation land which at the time of such replacement is of equal or greater monetary and resource protection value; or

3. A permanent restrictive covenant as provided in state law; or

(iv) Owned by any person or entity and subject to a conservation easement ensuring that the property will be maintained in a manner consistent with conservation land.

(e) “ Project proposal ” means any application seeking monies from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund.

(f) “ Special fund ” means the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund created in Section 49-39-7 .

(g) “ State agency ” means any agency, department, commission or institution of the State of Mississippi.

(h) “ Working agricultural land ” means land area that is either arable, under permanent crops or under permanent pastures. Arable land includes land under temporary crops such as cereals, temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-221 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-221
Status: in_force

(1) An eligible owner shall receive cost-share assistance as the commission, in its discretion, shall determine and approve, but the commission shall approve no assistance in an amount which exceeds either (a) a sum equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of the owner's actual cost incurred in implementing the approved practice approved by the commission for that owner on a particular tract of land or lands, except that with respect to sixteenth section school trust lands the commission may approve up to one hundred percent (100%) cost-share for any school district that has less has than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) in its Forestry Escrow Fund, or (b) a sum equal to Thirty-seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($37.50) per acre of land on which the approved practice is implemented by the owner; provided, however, that no eligible owner, in any one (1) fiscal year, shall receive a sum total for all approved practices implemented by the owner of more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00); except that with respect to sixteenth section trust lands the commission, at its discretion, may exceed said monetary limit in order to provide a total forest improvement program within any county.

(2) The limitation of Thirty-seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($37.50) per acre, as set forth in item (b) of subsection (1) of this section, may be changed by the commission pursuant to the authorization of subparagraph (c) of Section 49-19-219 .

(3) During the reforestation of sixteenth section school trust lands classified as forest lands, no more than an average of twenty-five percent (25%) of Forest Resource Development Program funds will be spent on the reforestation of these school trust lands.

(4) It is the intent of this section that the Mississippi Forestry Commission by 1995 bring to maximum productivity all sixteenth section land.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-101
Status: in_force

The Governor of this state is hereby authorized and directed to execute a compact on behalf of the State of Mississippi with any one or more of the states of Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana, and with such other states as may enter into the compact, legally joining therein in the form substantially as follows:

The contracting states solemnly agree:

Whereas the Gulf Coast states have the proprietary interest in and jurisdiction over fisheries in the waters within their respective boundaries, it is the purpose of this compact to promote the better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the seaboard of the Gulf of Mexico, by the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause.

This compact shall become operative immediately as to those states ratifying it whenever any two (2) or more of the states of Florida, Alabama, Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi have ratified it and the Congress has given its consent, pursuant to Article I, Section 10, of the Constitution of the United States . Any state contiguous to any of the aforementioned states or riparian upon waters which flow into waters under the jurisdiction of any of the aforementioned states and which are frequented by anadromous fish or marine species may become a party hereto as hereinafter provided.

Each state joining herein shall appoint three (3) representatives to a commission hereby constituted and designated as the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. One (1) shall be the head of the administrative agency of such state charged with the conservation of the fishery resources to which this compact pertains or, if there be more than one (1) officer or agency, the official of that state named by the governor thereof. The second shall be a member of the legislature of such state designated by such legislature or in the absence of such designation, such legislator shall be designated by the governor thereof, provided that if it is constitutionally impossible to appoint a legislator as a commissioner from such state, the second member shall be appointed in such manner as may be established by law. The legislative membership shall alternate between the Mississippi Senate and House of Representatives and the designated member shall be a member of the Senate Ports and Marine Resources Committee or the House Marine Resources Committee. The term shall be six (6) years. No legislative member from the Mississippi Senate or House of Representatives shall serve two (2) consecutive terms. The third shall be a citizen who shall have a knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries, to be appointed by the governor. This commission shall be a body corporate with the powers and duties set forth herein.

The duty of the said commission shall be to make inquiry and ascertain from time to time such methods, practices, circumstances and conditions as may be disclosed for bringing about the conservation and the prevention of the depletion and physical waste of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the Gulf Coast. The commission shall have power to recommend the coordination of the exercise of the police powers of the several states within their respective jurisdictions to promote the preservation of these fisheries and their protection against overfishing, waste, depletion or any abuse whatsoever and to assure a continuing yield from the fishery resources of the aforementioned states. To that end the commission shall draft and recommend to the governors and legislatures of the various signatory states, legislation dealing with the conservation of the marine, shell and anadromous fisheries of the Gulf seaboard. The commission shall from time to time present to the governor of each compacting state its recommendations relating to enactments to be presented to the legislature of that state in furthering the interest and purposes of this compact. The commission shall consult with and advise the pertinent administrative agencies in the states party hereto with regard to problems connected with the fisheries and recommend the adoption of such regulations as it deems advisable. The commission shall have power to recommend to the states party hereto the stocking of the waters of such states with fish and fish eggs or joint stocking by some or all of the states party hereto, and when two (2) or more states shall jointly stock waters the commission shall act as the coordinating agency for such stocking.

The commission shall elect from its number a chairman and vice chairman and shall appoint and at its pleasure remove or discharge such officers and employees as may be required to carry the provisions of this compact into effect and shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications and compensation. Said commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. It may establish and maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business and may meet at any time or place but must meet at least once a year.

No action shall be taken by the commission in regard to its general affairs except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of compacting states. No recommendation shall be made by the commission in regard to any species of fish except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the compacting states which have an interest in such species. The commission shall define what shall be an interest.

The Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior of the Government of the United States shall act as the primary research agency of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission cooperating with the research agencies in each state for that purpose. Representatives of the said Fish and Wildlife Service shall attend the meetings of the commission. An advisory committee to be representative of the commercial saltwater fishermen and the saltwater anglers and such other interests of each state as the commissioners deem advisable may be established by the commissioners from each state for the purpose of advising those commissioners upon such recommendations as it may desire to make.

When any state other than those named specifically in Article II of this compact shall become a party hereto for the purpose of conserving its anadromous fish or marine species in accordance with the provisions of Article II, the participation of such state in the action of the commission shall be limited to such species of fish.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of the proprietary interest of any signatory state or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation or the enforcement of any requirement by a signatory state imposing additional conditions and restrictions to conserve its fisheries.

It is agreed that any two (2) or more states party hereto may further amend this compact by acts of their respective legislatures, subject to approval of Congress as provided in Article I, Section X, of the Constitution of the United States , to designate the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission as a joint regulating authority for the joint regulation of specific fisheries affecting only such states as shall so compact, and at their joint expense. The representatives of such states shall constitute a separate section of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission for the exercise of the additional powers so granted but the creation of such section shall not be deemed to deprive the states so compacting of any of their privileges or powers in the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission as constituted under the other articles of this compact.

Continued absence of representation or of any representative on the commission from any state party hereto shall be brought to the attention of the governor thereof.

The operating expenses of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission shall be borne by the states party hereto. Such initial appropriations as set forth below shall be made available yearly until modified as hereinafter provided:

Florida․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․$ 3,600.00

Alabama․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․1,000.00

Mississippi․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․1,000.00

Louisiana․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․5,000.00

Texas․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․․․2,500.00

Total․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

․․$13,100.00

The proration and total cost per annum of Thirteen Thousand One Hundred Dollars ($13,100.00), above mentioned, is estimative only, for initial operations, and may be changed when found necessary by the commission. Each state party hereto agrees to provide in the manner most acceptable to it, the travel cost and necessary expenses of its commissioners and other representatives to and from meetings of the commission or its duly constituted sections or committees.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each compacting state until renounced by act of the legislature of such state, in such form as it may choose; provided that such renunciation shall not become effective until six (6) months after the effective date of the action taken by the legislature. Notice of such renunciation shall be given the other states party hereto by the secretary of state of compacting state so renouncing upon passage of the act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-775 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-27-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 27-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-71
Status: in_force

(1) Definitions. As used in the section, the following words and phrases have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Abandoned vessel ” means a vessel left unattended for four (4) or more weeks after a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural event resulting in a declaration of emergency by the Governor, or, in the absence of a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural event resulting in a declaration of emergency by the Governor, any of the following:

(i) A vessel left unattended that is moored, anchored, or otherwise in the waters of the state or on public property for a period of more than ten (10) days.

(ii) A vessel that is moored, anchored, or otherwise on or attached to private property for a period of more than ten (10) days without the consent of the owner or lessee of the property or of the public trust tidelands.

Upon notification from the owner of the vessel outlining the circumstances following a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural event, the department may grant an exception to the time frames indicated above.

(b) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.

(c) “ Derelict vessel ” means a vessel in the waters of the State of Mississippi that satisfies any of the following:

(i) Is aground without the ability to extricate itself absent mechanical assistance;

(ii) Is sunk or otherwise resting on the bottom of the waterway;

(iii) Is abandoned;

(iv) Is wrecked, junked, or in a substantially dismantled condition upon any waters of this state:

1. A vessel is “wrecked” if it is sunken or sinking; or remaining after a marine casualty, including, but not limited to, a boating accident, extreme weather, or fire.

2. A vessel is “junked” if it has been substantially stripped of vessel components, if vessel components have substantially degraded or been destroyed, or if the vessel has been discarded by the owner or operator. Attaching an outboard motor to a vessel that is otherwise junked will not cause the vessel to no longer be junked if such motor is not an effective means of propulsion.

3. A vessel is “substantially dismantled” if at least two (2) of the three (3) following vessel systems or components are missing, compromised, incomplete, inoperable, or broken:

(A) The steering system;

(B) The propulsion system; or

(C) The exterior hull integrity.

Attaching an outboard motor to a vessel that is otherwise substantially dismantled will not cause the vessel to no longer be substantially dismantled if such motor is not an effective means of propulsion;

(v) Docked, grounded, or beached upon the property of another without the consent of the owner of the property;

(vi) Is obstructing a waterway or within one hundred (100) yards of the boundaries of any state, county or municipal port;

(vii) Is endangering life or property;

(viii) Has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor, mooring, or ties; or

(iv) 1 A vessel that is otherwise not seaworthy.

(d) “ Documented vessel ” means a vessel documented under 46 USC, Chapter 121 .

(e) “ Effective means of propulsion ” means a vessel, other than a barge, that is equipped with:

(i) A functioning motor, controls, and steering system; or

(ii) Rigging and sails that are present and in good working order, and a functioning steering system.

A vessel does not have an effective means of propulsion for safe navigation within seventy-two (72) hours after the vessel owner or operator received telephonic notice, in-person notice recorded on an agency-approved body camera, or written notice, which may be provided by facsimile, electronic mail, or other electronic means, stating such from a representative of the department, and the vessel owner or operator is unable to provide a receipt, proof of purchase, or other documentation of having ordered necessary parts for vessel repair. The department may adopt regulations to implement this paragraph.

(f) “ Floating building or structure ” means a floating entity, with or without accommodations built thereon, which is not primarily used as a means of transportation on water but which serves purposes or provides services typically associated with a structure or other improvement to real property. The term includes, but is not limited to, an entity used as a residence, place of business or office with public access; a hotel or motel; a restaurant or lounge; a clubhouse; a meeting facility; a storage or parking facility; or a mining platform, dredge, dragline, or similar facility or entity represented as such. Incidental movement upon water or resting partially or entirely on the bottom does not, in and of itself, preclude an entity from classification as a floating structure.

(g) “ Gross negligence ” means conduct so reckless or wanting in care that it constitutes a conscious disregard or indifference to the safety of the property to such conduct.

(h) “ Moored ” means a vessel that is anchored or affixed in some other way to the public trust tidelands, to leased tidelands, to private land, or within the riparian zone of a private or public landowner or leaseholder.

(i) “ Registered ” means a vessel documented under Section 59-21-5 .

(j) “ Unseaworthy ” means a vessel that is not fit or safe for any normal perils of the sea or has no effective means of propulsion.

(k) “ Vessel ” means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane, capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water. For the purposes of this section, vessels powered only by hand, foot, oars or paddles, are included.

For the purposes of this section, floatable buildings and structures, whether or not they are used for navigation, are included.

(l) “ Waters of the state ” means any waters located within Harrison, Hancock and Jackson Counties under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources as established pursuant to Section 49-15-23 .

(m) “ Willful misconduct ” means conduct evidencing carelessness or negligence of such a degree or recurrence as to manifest culpability, wrongful intent, or evil design or to show an intentional and substantial disregard of the interests of the vessel owner.

(2) Jurisdiction. (a)(i) In the waters of Harrison, Hancock and Jackson Counties, a person, firm, corporation or other entity may not leave derelict or at risk of being derelict, any vessel on the coastal wetlands, marine waters, or on public or privately owned lands without the owner's permission.

(ii) The Department of Marine Resources has the authority to remove derelict vessels, whether located on private or public property.

(iii) Vessels located in ports and harbors are subject to the provisions outlined in Title 50, Mississippi Code of 1972 , Ports, Harbors, Landings and Watercraft.

(iv) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (a) does not apply to vessels located in marinas, garages or repair shops for repairs, improvements or other work with knowledge of the owner and for which the costs for such services have been unpaid.

(v) Vessels deemed to be derelict pursuant to this chapter are exempt from the salvage provisions in Section 89-17-1 et seq.

(b)(i) In all other waters of the State of Mississippi, a person, firm, corporation or other entity may not leave derelict or at risk of being derelict, any vessel in the wetlands, public waters or waterways or on public or privately owned lands without the owner's permission.

(ii) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b) does not apply to vessels located in public or private marinas, garages or repair shops for repairs, improvements or other work with knowledge of the owner and for which the costs for such services have been unpaid.

(iii) Vessels deemed to be derelict pursuant to this chapter are exempt from the salvage provisions of Section 89-17-1 et seq.

(3) Penalties. Violations of this act will be subject to the penalties as provided in Section 49-15-63 .

(4) Standing. A party with standing may initiate the derelict vessel procedures in this section. For purpose of this section, the following parties have standing:

(a) The owner of the property where the vessel came to rest or to which the vessel was made fast;

(b) Any harbormaster, police department, municipality or agent of the state that agrees to accept or process a derelict vessel; or

(c) Any professional marine salvager when the salvager is engaged by a person with standing.

(5) Landowner permission may be revoked at any time. The landowner must provide the department sufficient proof that the vessel owner has been notified of the revocation of landowner's permission or proof that the landowner cannot locate the owner of the vessel.

When a vessel that is not otherwise leased to another party is moored upon public trust tidelands for a period of thirty (30) days or longer, permission must be granted by the Secretary of State's Office.

(6) Notice. Any party with standing, or his or her representative, may initiate the notice process by filing an application with the department to remove the derelict vessel. Upon receipt and review of the application, the department may initiate the following notice process:

(a) A department officer is authorized to board any vessel that has been reported to the department as being derelict or at risk of being derelict to determine the condition of the vessel and in an attempt to establish ownership of the vessel.

(b) A department officer shall post notice, which must comply with the following requirements:

(i) Be posted on the vessel in a prominent location, visible to an approaching person;

(ii) Require the vessel owner to submit a plan for removal to the department within seven (7) days of the notice; and

(iii) Include a space for the owner of the vessel to respond.

(c) If the registered owner responds with a signature in the space or otherwise provides a written response to the department requesting an extension of time, then the registered owner will have an additional five (5) days to submit the plan for removal.

(d) The department will notify the respondent of the approval or denial of the removal plan within seven (7) business days.

(e) If the respondent fails to comply with the approved removal plan and fails to submit a satisfactory reason as to why the vessel cannot be moved as planned, the department may present the removal plan and evidence of the owner's noncompliance to the chancery court.

(f) Upon presentation of the required evidence, the chancery court will issue an order allowing the department or its representative to remove the vessel from its current location and make whatever disposition is deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, immediate disposal, storage pending disposal, use for official purposes, transfer to another state agency or other disposition.

(g) If the vessel is located in an area of coastal wetlands where emergent vegetation is present or where the vessel is embedded in the ground, a wetlands permit may be required prior to removal.

(h) Any party who acts in good faith and without malicious intent in the processing, storing or moving any derelict vessel pursuant to this section is immune from liability for damages to the vessel.

(7) Determining ownership. (a) Upon receipt of an application for the removal of a derelict vessel where no removal plan has been submitted by the owner, the department must attempt to contact the registered owner of the vessel and any lien holders of record by other available means.

(b) The department must inquire of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) as to the status of the vessel in regard to the Mississippi Boating Law of 1960, Section 59-21-1 et seq. , or the United States Coast Guard as to the status of the vessel in regard to documentation under 46 USC, Chapter 121 .

(c) The inquiry must provide the description of the vessel, including the vessel registration number.

(d) The MDWFP is required to provide the requested information to the department within two (2) business days.

(e) The registered owner of a vessel must comply with Section 59-21-21 to change ownership. In the event a vessel owner fails to notify the MDWFP of a transfer of ownership and supply the new owner's contact information, the owner of the vessel according to MDWFP records is presumed to be the person to whom the vessel is registered.

(f) If there is no registered owner found, the department must make publication on the department's website and in a newspaper with general circulation for three (3) weeks, describing the vessel and the location.

(8) Derelict vessel removal. (a) After the initial notice period described in subsection (6) has lapsed and the department can show proof of inquiries to ascertain the vessel ownership under subsection (7) of this section, the department may obtain an order from the chancery court for the derelict vessel to be removed from its current location.

(b) The chancery court order may authorize the department to make whatever disposition is deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, immediate disposal of the vessel, storage pending disposal, use for official purposes, transfer to another state agency or other disposition.

(c) If the vessel is located in an area of coastal wetlands where emergent vegetation is present or where the vessel is embedded in the ground, a wetlands permit may be required prior to removal.

(d) Any person who acts in good faith and without malicious intent in the processing, storing or moving of any derelict vessel pursuant to this section is immune from civil liability for damage to the vessel.

(9) Emergency removal. Any derelict vessel that is obstructing a waterway, is within any designated navigation channel or within one hundred (100) yards of the boundaries of any state, county or municipal port may be declared a hazard to navigation and subject to immediate relocation, removal disposal, or other disposition by the department or other party with standing.

(a) Any derelict vessel that is leaking any hazardous substances, chemicals or fuels will be reported to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and may be declared an environmental hazard and subject to immediate relocation, removal, disposal or other disposition by MDEQ, the department or other party with standing.

(b) The registered owner of a vessel removed in accordance with this subsection (9) is liable for the costs associated with the relocation, removal, salvage storage or disposal of the vessel and any damages to the flora and fauna within the affected area.

(c) Any funds derived from salvage or sale of a vessel pursuant to this section will be used to offset the costs to the department associated with the removal, salvage, storage or disposal of the vessel.

(d) Any funds derived from damages to the flora and fauna will be deposited into the Coastal Resource Management Fund if the Department of Marine Resources initiates the action.

(e) Any party who relocates or removes a vessel under this section is not liable for damages resulting from relocation or removal unless the damage results from gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(10) Cost recovery. (a) The department may seek full cost recovery from the registered owner of the derelict vessel for any expense incurred as a result of, or incidental to, removing the vessel. The registered owner of the vessel is liable for the costs of removal, storage, disposal, and restoration of affected lands, attorneys' fees, and all court costs.

(b) The owner of the vessel is also liable for an administrative penalty of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day. The penalty for emergency removal of vessels under subsection (9) of this section may be imposed by the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources upon the recommendation of the Advisory Commission on Marine Resources, under Section 49-15-401 et seq. The fines for removal of all other vessels may be imposed by the chancery court.

(c) Expenses incurred, including, but not limited to, fines, court costs, vessel removal, storage, disposal, restoration of affected lands, and attorneys' fees for derelict vessels will be imposed by the chancery court as outlined in subsection (11) of this section.

(d) If the registered owner should fail to pay fines imposed by the department in accordance with paragraph (b) of this subsection, an enforcement action will be filed with the chancery court which may result in the court issuing an order, including, but not limited to, the collection of fines, court costs, and/or any legal avenue the court finds appropriate to collect such funds.

(e) All proceeds from any activity initiated by the Department of Marine Resources related to the disposition of a vessel under this chapter will go into the Derelict Vessel Fund, a special fund within the Seafood Fund. However, any fines imposed for the damage to coastal wetlands will be placed in the Coastal Resource Management Fund.

(11) Court process. (a) The chancery court of the county in which the vessel is located has jurisdiction over all matters concerning derelict vessels under this section, including injunctions and demands for damages. If the vessel is allowed to float and/or is otherwise moved to another county after notice has been provided under subsection (6) of this section, the county in which the vessel was first provided notice shall have continuing jurisdiction.

(b) If there is no response to the publication attempts under subsection (7)(e) of this section, the chancery court will issue an order to the department allowing the department to take possession of the vessel and make such use or disposition of the vessel as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. If the department determines that the vessel may be used for official purposes or otherwise sold, the MDWFP will issue a vessel registration number or a hull identification number to the department after proof of publication has been submitted.

(c) The chancery court may, in its discretion, order damages up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for every day the vessel was left abandoned or derelict, beginning on the day notice was posted on the vessel.

(d) If the department or a party with standing desires to require the registered owner to remove the vessel, then he or she may apply to the chancery court for a writ of mandatory injunction ordering the registered owner to remove the vessel. The chancery court must allow a reasonable time for removal and restoration of the affected lands. The chancery court may order further damages not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day that the violation exists beyond the date set by the court in an injunction for the removal of the vessel and restoration of the affected lands.

(e) Any court-ordered reimbursed costs or damages in excess of the actual costs of removal and restoration initiated by the Department of Marine Resources must be deposited in a special fund in the State Treasury known as the “Derelict Vessel Fund” within the Seafood Fund. Any funds deposited in the fund must be used to cover the administrative costs and removal costs incurred by the department for the removal of vessels. Any remaining funds must be used to cover the costs of removing additional derelict vessels. However, any fines imposed for the damage to coastal wetlands will be placed in the Coastal Resource Management Fund.

(12) Department authorities. (a) The department is authorized to enter into contracts with individuals, firms and corporations, or agreements with other state agencies for the removal and/or temporary storage of vessels prior to removal. The salvage value, if any, of the vessel may be used to offset the costs of the removal of the vessel and the restoration of the affected area. The department may enter into noncompetitive contracts or agreements with any state or federal entity for the removal of vessels.

(b) The department may enter into interstate or intrastate agreements toward this end, and may seek and utilize aid from all federal, state, and local sources in this endeavor.

(c) The Department of Marine Resources shall adopt rules and regulations necessary and appropriate to carry out this section for actions falling within its jurisdiction.

(d) The department may promulgate regulations to establish a derelict vessel prevention program to address vessels at risk of becoming derelict. Such program may, but is not required to, include:

(i) Removal, relocation, and destruction of vessels declared a public nuisance due to the lack of proper marine sanitation, derelict or at risk of becoming derelict, or lost or abandoned.

(ii) Creation of a vessel turn-in program allowing the owner of a vessel determined by the department to be at risk of becoming derelict, to turn the vessel and vessel title over to the department to be destroyed without penalty.

(iii) Providing for removal and destruction or other disposition of an abandoned vessel for which an owner cannot be identified or the owner of which is deceased and no heir is interested in acquiring the vessel.

(iv) Purchase of anchor line, anchors, and other equipment necessary for securing vessels at risk of becoming derelict.

(v) Creating or acquiring moorings designated for securing vessels at risk of becoming derelict.

(e) The State of Mississippi, the Commission on Marine Resources, the Department of Marine Resources, and their employees and representatives shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the removal, towing, storage, sale or disposal of any vessel that is derelict or hazardous under this section.

(f) The department or any party with standing does not incur liability for any resulting damage to the vessel or any damage the vessel may cause to any property or person during the time frame between posting notice and vessel removal. If any damages occur during the period of time between notice and removal of the vessel, the registered vessel owner, according to MDWFP records, is presumed liable for all damages.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-518 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-518
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-518
Status: in_force

(1) After July 1, 2009, it is unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid lead-based paint dust sampling technician certificate to work as a dust sampling technician on a lead-based paint renovation.

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

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

(b) Satisfactorily complete an accredited training program for lead-based paint dust sampling technicians; or

(c) Have successfully completed an accredited lead-based paint inspector or risk assessor course and have completed an accredited refresher dust sampling technician course; and

(d) 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. § 49-35-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 35-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided under subsection (5) of this section and Section 49-35-13(2) , a brownfield party who executes a brownfield agreement shall be relieved of liability to all persons other than the United States for: (a) remediation of the brownfield agreement site other than the remediation required by the brownfield agreement; and (b) all costs reasonably related to the remediation other than the remediation and costs required by the brownfield agreement or this article. However, this article shall not affect the right of any person to seek relief against any party to the brownfield agreement who may have liability with respect to a brownfield agreement site, except as provided in this section.

(2) The liability protection provided under this section applies to the following persons to the same extent as to a brownfield party:

(a) Any person under the direction or control of the brownfield party who directs or contracts for remediation or redevelopment of the brownfield agreement site;

(b) Any current owner and any future owner of the brownfield agreement site;

(c) Any person who develops, redevelops or lawfully occupies the brownfield agreement site;

(d) Any successor or assign of any person to whom the liability protection provided under this section applies; and

(e) Any lender or fiduciary that provided financing for remediation or redevelopment of the brownfield agreement site.

(3) A person who conducts an environmental assessment on a brownfield agreement site and who is not otherwise a potentially responsible party shall not become a potentially responsible party as a result of conducting the environmental assessment, unless that person increases the risk of harm to public health or the environment by failing to exercise due diligence and reasonable care in performing the environmental assessment.

(4) The liability protection provided under this section shall become effective upon execution of a brownfield agreement and shall remain effective, unless the commission removes the liability protection under Section 49-35-13(2) .

(5) A brownfield party who completes the remediation required under a brownfield agreement and any other person who receives liability protection under this section shall not be required to perform additional remediation on or under the brownfield agreement site unless:

(a) The brownfield party provides to the commission false information or fails to disclose to the commission relevant information about environmental contamination on or under the brownfield agreement site that forms a basis for the brownfield agreement or that is offered to demonstrate compliance with the brownfield agreement;

(b) New information becomes available after execution of the brownfield agreement indicating the existence of previously unknown contaminants or an area of previously unknown environmental contamination that has not been remediated to standards required by applicable federal or state law other than this article. The brownfield agreement may be amended to include remediation of any previously unknown contaminants and any additional areas in the same brownfield agreement site;

(c) The level of risk to public health or the environment resulting from the brownfield agreement site is increased beyond the level that forms a basis for the risk-based remediation requirements in the brownfield agreement due to changes in exposure conditions, including (i) a change in land use at the site or contiguous to the site that increases the probability of exposure to contaminants on or under the brownfield agreement site or (ii) the failure of remediation to mitigate risks to the extent required to make the brownfield agreement site fully protective of public health and the environment as provided in the brownfield agreement;

(d) The department obtains new information after execution of the brownfield agreement about a contaminant on or under the brownfield agreement site that increases the risk to public health or the environment on or under the brownfield agreement site beyond the level that is the basis for the risk-based remediation requirements in the brownfield agreement and in a manner or to a degree not anticipated in the brownfield agreement; or

(e) A brownfield party fails to file a timely and proper notice of brownfield agreement site under Section 49-35-17 .

(6) Upon completion of the brownfield agreement, the brownfield party may petition the commission to determine that the performance of the brownfield agreement has been completed. If the commission determines after conducting an inspection of the brownfield agreement site that the brownfield party has completed the brownfield agreement, the commission shall issue an order. Following issuance of an order by the commission, the executive director shall issue a “no further action” letter. The letter shall include the following statement: “Based upon the information provided by (brownfield agreement party) concerning property located at (location), it is the opinion of the Commission on Environmental Quality that (brownfield agreement party) has successfully and satisfactorily implemented and completed the approved brownfield agreement. No further action is required to assure that the remediation required under the brownfield agreement is protective of public health and the environment in accordance with the existing and proposed uses of this property.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-107 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-107
Status: in_force

There is hereby granted to the commission and the commissioners thereof all the powers provided in the said compact and all the powers necessary or incidental to the carrying out of said compact in every particular. Said powers shall be regarded as in aid of and supplemental to and in no case a limitation upon any of the powers vested in said commission by other laws of the State of Mississippi, or by the terms of said compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-405 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-405
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-405
Status: in_force

(1) If the alleged violator requests a formal hearing within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the finding and imposed fine, or within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the executive director's decision following the information settlement, the executive director shall designate a representative of the Attorney General's office to preside over the hearing and render a finding and recommendation as provided in this section.

(2) A duly qualified court reporter shall be in attendance and shall make a full and complete transcript of the proceedings. The hearing shall be closed unless the alleged violator requests a public hearing. The hearing officer shall have the right and duty to impose reasonable restrictions as he may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure orderly, expeditious and impartial proceedings, and shall admit all relevant and material evidence except evidence which is unduly repetitious. Hearsay shall be admissible to the extent permitted by the hearing officer.

(3) For purposes of such hearing, the hearing officer is hereby empowered to require the attendance of witnesses, administer oaths and hear testimony, either oral or documentary, for and against the alleged violator. The hearing officer shall have the authority to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records or other documentary evidence at a hearing. Subpoenas to be issued shall be delivered to the sheriff of the county where they are to be executed and the sheriff shall serve them. In case of the failure of any person to comply with any subpoena issued by the hearing officer, the hearing officer may invoke the aid of any court of general jurisdiction of this state. The court may thereupon order such person to comply with the requirements of the subpoena. Failure to comply with the order of the court may be treated as contempt thereof.

(4) At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written recommendation incorporating his findings of facts and conclusions of law regarding whether a violation has occurred and the appropriate penalty, if any, that he may assess not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per violation.

(5) The hearing officer's recommendation shall then be forwarded to the executive director who will make the final decision regarding whether a violation has occurred and the appropriate penalty, if any.

(6) The executive director's final decision shall be delivered to the alleged violator.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 27-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-21
Status: in_force

Documentary evidence offered at hearings and all applications and related documents shall be open for public inspection at the office of the commission at reasonable times. Oral testimony shall be recorded and shall not be required to be transcribed except in the event of appeal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 8-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-5
Status: in_force

The following wild animals are classed as animals inherently dangerous to humans:

(a) Order Primates:

(i) Family Pongidae (gibbons, orangutan, chimpanzees, siamangs and gorillas) -- all species;

(ii) Family Cercopithecidae:

A. Genus Macaca (macaques) -- all species;

B. Genus Papio (mandrills, drills and baboons) -- all species;

C. Theropithecus Gelada (Gelada baboon);

(b) Order Carnivora:

(i) Family Canidae:

A. Genus Canis (wolves, jackals and dingos; all species, including crosses between wolves and domestic animals);

B. Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf);

C. Cuon alpinus (red dog);

D. Lycaon pictus (African hunting dog);

(ii) Family Ursidae (bears) -- all species;

(iii) Family Mustelidae -- Gulo gulo (wolverine);

(iv) Family Hyaenidae (hyenas) -- all species;

(v) Family Felidae:

A. Genus Leo or Panthera or Neofelis (lions, tigers, jaguars and leopards) -- all species;

B. Unica unica (snow leopard);

C. Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah);

D. Felis concolor (cougar) -- all subspecies;

(c) Order Proboscidae: Family Elephantidae (elephants) -- all species;

(d) Order Perissodactyla: Family Rhinocerotidae (rhinoceroses) -- all species;

(e) Order Artiodactyla:

(ii) Family Hippopotamidae -- Hippopotamus amphibius (hippopotamus);

(ii) Family Bovidae: Syncerus caffer (African buffalo).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-81
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful to take or kill game fish in any manner other than by hook and line with one or more hooks, or by use of a trot or troll line. Dip or landing nets may be used when landing a fish caught by hook and line, trot or troll lines. Shad and minnows may only be taken as bait with the aid of a dip or landing net, cast nets, boat-mounted scoops and wire baskets by residents for personal use in sportfishing. However, in private ponds or borrow pits or overflow ponds which go dry in summer and cut off from the regular streams, dip nets may be used for capturing or rescuing game fish. It is unlawful to kill or take fish of any species at any time or anywhere by mudding, or by the use of lime, poison, dynamite, India berries, weeds and walnuts, giant powder, gunpowder, or any other explosive, and no nongame gross fish shall be taken by the use of nets, seines or traps for personal use without a commercial fishing license. It is unlawful to set any freshwater commercial fishing equipment so that it extends more than halfway across the width of any stream, channel, drain or other body of water, and if commercial fishing equipment is placed in water, each piece of equipment shall be placed at least one hundred (100) yards apart. The commission shall have the authority to fix the minimum size mesh for use in barrel nets, hoop nets and seines for use in the freshwaters of this state regulated by the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. This authority given the commission shall not be extended to the regulation of mesh size for use in marine waters. Notwithstanding anything in this or any other section to the contrary, any person in Mississippi fishing with barrel nets, hoop nets or seines in any waters of common boundary between Mississippi and another state may use a mesh size in such nets which is the same as the mesh size allowed in the other state, where the other state allows a mesh size in such nets which is smaller than the mesh size otherwise allowable in Mississippi.

(2) It is unlawful for any person to catch or destroy fish by the use of dynamite, gunpowder or other explosive substance.

(3) It is unlawful for any person to use a telephone, battery or any other electrically operated device for the purpose of killing or capturing fish.

(4) It is unlawful for any person to use any chemical of any kind in any stream or any lake where the public fishes for the purpose of killing or taking fish, except that this provision shall not be construed to apply to any owner of any fish pond using such chemical in his own private pond.

(5) It is unlawful for any person to poison any fish by mingling in the water any substance calculated and intended to stupefy or destroy fish.

(6) It is unlawful for any person to fish any equipment in the waters of the state of any size or type that is not allowed by the commission.

(7) Any hoop net, barrel net, seine, gill net, slat baskets, trammel net or untagged commercial fishing gear or devices being fished in public waters may be seized and held as evidence and shall be subject to forfeiture.

(8) Any person violating the provisions of subsections (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) of this section is guilty of a Class I violation and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 49-33-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 31 / Section 33-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-17
Status: in_force

All the provisions of this chapter are subject to Sections 11-46-1 et seq., 49-2-9 , 49-2-13 , 49-17-17 , 17-17-1 , 41-67-3 and 41-67-15, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-319 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-319
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-319
Status: in_force

(1) Any charter or recreational fishing boat which will be in the Gulf of Mexico over twenty-four (24) hours shall file a float plan with the department prior to departure.

(2) If a float plan is not filed, the fish on such boat shall not be filleted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-31
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the commission or an employee thereof has reason to believe that a violation of any provision of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 or Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 or a regulation or of any order of the commission or of any limitation or condition of a valid permit has occurred, the commission may cause a written complaint to be served upon the alleged violator or violators. The complaint shall specify the provisions of said sections or regulation or order or permit alleged to be violated and the facts alleged to constitute a violation thereof, and shall require that the alleged violator appear before the commission at a time and place specified in the notice and answer the charges complained of. Said time of appearance before the commission shall be not less than ten (10) days from the date of the service of the complaint.

(b) The commission shall afford an opportunity for a fair hearing to the alleged violator or violators at the time and place specified in the complaint. On the basis of the evidence produced at the hearing, the commission shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter such order as in its opinion will best further the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 , and shall give written notice of such order to the alleged violator and to such other persons as shall have appeared at the hearing or made written request for notice of the order, and the commission may assess such penalties as hereinafter provided.

(c) Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice, or other instrument issued by or under authority of the commission may be served on any person affected thereby personally or by publication, and proof of such service may be made in like manner as in case of service of a summons in a civil action, such proof to be filed in the office of the commission; or such service may be made by mailing a copy of the notice, order, or other instrument by certified mail, directed to the person affected at his last known post-office address as shown by the files or records of the commission, and proof thereof may be made by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing, filed in the office of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / 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. § 49-27-57 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-57
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to civil liability under this chapter, a violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days, or both.

(b) In the case of continuing violations, each day shall constitute a separate charge; however, separate violations under this chapter need not be severed for trial when an identity of parties and location exists.

(c) It shall be a misdemeanor to materially harm or disturb scientific devices and recording instruments left in coastal wetlands by authorized agencies of the state or federal government, and a violation of this subsection shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-13
Status: in_force

The commission may cause a copy of any application to be mailed immediately to the following parties:

(1) The chief administrative officer in the municipality or municipalities where any part of the proposed activity will be located;

(2) The president of the board of supervisors of any county where any part of the proposed activity will be located;

(3) The Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks;

(4) The county attorney of any county in which any part of the proposed activity will be located or in any county which may be affected by such activity;

(5) The district attorney of any judicial district in which any part of the proposed activity will be located or of any district which may be affected by such activity; and

(6) The Director of the Gulf Regional Planning Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the term:

(a) “ Commission ” means the Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources.

(b) “ Department ” means the Department of Marine Resources.

(c) “ Domicile ” means a person's principal or primary place of abode in which a person's habitation is fixed and to which the person, whenever absent, has the present intention of returning after a departure of absence therefrom, regardless of the duration of the absence. The burden of proving domicile in the State of Mississippi shall be on the person claiming that status. A person holding a current driver's license shall be deemed to be domiciled within the state issuing the license. If a person does not hold a current driver's license the following evidence may be considered in establishing, but is not necessarily determinative of domicile: residence for income or other tax purposes, homestead exemption receipt or other means prescribed by the department. In the case of minors, domicile of the parents shall be used as evidence of the minor's domicile.

(d) “ Game fish ” means cobia, also known as ling or lemonfish (rachycentron canadum). The cobia is classified as game fish.

(e) “ Illegal oysters ” means:

(i) All untagged shell stock;

(ii) Shell oysters obtained from uncertified shops or dealers or from an unlicensed catcher;

(iii) Oysters obtained from waters not declared safe and sanitary by the department, except those oysters caught by the department for re-laying or under private leases pursuant to Section 49-15-27 ;

(iv) Shucked oysters obtained from uncertified shops or repackers.

(f) “ Inspector ” means the chief inspector, the assistant chief inspector, deputy inspector, bureau director and certified enforcement officer employed by the department.

(g) “ Natural reefs ” means any bottom under the jurisdiction of the department of one or more acres on which oysters grow naturally, or have grown naturally, in a quantity sufficient to warrant commercial fishing as a means of livelihood, or have been used in such a manner within a period of ten (10) years next preceding the time the bottoms may come up for determination by the department.

(h) “ Resident ” means a person, firm or corporation that is domiciled in this state.

(i) “ Seafood ” means all oysters, saltwater fish, saltwater shrimp, diamondback terrapin, sea turtle, crabs and all other species of marine or saltwater animal life existing or living in the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 27-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-39
Status: in_force

(a) An appeal may be taken by the applicant, or any person or corporation, municipal corporation, county or interested community group who has been aggrieved by such order, from the denial, suspension or revocation of a permit or the issuance of a permit or conditional permit and who has filed written protest or objection as specified in Sections 49-27-9 through 49-27-21 , within thirty (30) days after the mailing to the parties of the order of issuance, denial, suspension or revocation of any such permit, to the chancery court of any county having jurisdiction over the property which may be affected by any such proposed activity to be authorized by such permit.

(b) If the court finds that the order appealed from is supported by substantial evidence, consistent with the public policy set forth in this chapter, is not arbitrary or capricious and does not violate constitutional rights, it shall affirm the council's order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-411 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-411
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-411
Status: in_force

(1) Any individual aggrieved by a final decision of the executive director shall be entitled to judicial review.

(2) Any appeal from the executive director's decision shall be filed in the Chancery Court of the Second Judicial District of Harrison County, Mississippi, on the record made, including a verbatim transcript of the testimony at the hearing held before the hearing officer. The appeal shall be filed within thirty (30) days after notification of the final decision of the executive director is mailed or served, and the proceedings in chancery court shall be conducted as other matters coming before the court on appeal. The appeal shall be perfected upon filing notice of the appeal and by the prepayment of all estimated costs, including the cost of preparation of the record of the proceedings before the executive director, and the filing of a bond in the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) conditioned that if the executive director's final decision be affirmed by the chancery court, the aggrieved party shall pay the costs of the appeal to the chancery court.

(3) The scope of review of the chancery court in such cases shall be limited to a review of the record made before the executive director's final decision to determine if the decision is unlawful for the reason that it was:

(a) Not supported by any substantial evidence;

(b) Arbitrary or capricious; or

(c) In violation of some statutory or constitutional right of the individual.

(4) No relief shall be granted based upon the court's finding of harmless error by the executive director in complying with the procedural requirements of this article. If there is a finding of prejudicial error in the proceedings, the cause may be remanded for a rehearing consistent with the findings of the court.

(5) Any party aggrieved by action of the chancery court may appeal to the State Supreme Court in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-78 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-78
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-78
Status: in_force

Included in the hunting and fishing license fees authorized in Section 49-7-8 , there shall be collected for each nonresident license and renewal thereof, except nonresident temporary fishing permits, a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00), which shall be paid into the Wildlife Heritage Fund established under the provisions of subsection (1) of Section 49-5-77 . The funds generated from such additional fees shall be used from time to time by the commission to purchase, and take title in the name of the State of Mississippi, real estate to be used as hunting and/or fishing areas by the people of the State of Mississippi. In purchasing this real estate, the commission shall have all of the powers, and shall be subject to all of the restrictions prescribed in Sections 29-1-1 and 49-5-71 . Transfer of title to any real estate purchased under this section shall be by warranty deed or deeds vesting title in fee simple, excepting mineral rights where necessary, in the name of the State of Mississippi. Any real estate purchased under this section shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (2) of Section 49-5-77 regarding the development of plans for and the management of real estate which is acquired by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-17
Status: in_force

Bonds may be issued by any municipality or county as now authorized by Section 55-9-1 to secure funds to purchase the required lands and to construct game and fish management projects, all of which shall be done under the direction of the commission. Such bonds shall be retired by the proceeds of ad valorem taxes levied by such counties and municipalities, and the commission may pledge to the payment of such bonds any funds accruing to it under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-421 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-421
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-421
Status: in_force

(1) After receiving the annual report and recommendation of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Advisory Council, the commission may assess and collect an annual tank regulatory fee in an amount sufficient to administer Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 , but not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per tank. The fee, as set by the commission, shall be assessed per tank per year and shall be collected from the owner of each underground storage tank available for use in Mississippi on July 1, 1988, or brought into use or available for use after that date, as provided in the Mississippi Underground Storage Tank Act of 1988 ( Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 ). The fee assessed under this section is a debt due by the owner of each tank in use in Mississippi on July 1, 1988, or brought into use after that date.

(2) The commission shall establish the amount of the tank regulatory fee to cover the costs of the Underground Storage Tank Program. The fee for each state fiscal year shall be set by order of the commission, which shall include:

(a) A receipt of the report and recommendations of the UST Advisory Council, and

(b) A public notice to allow the public a period of at least thirty (30) days to provide comments regarding the underground storage tank fee report and recommendation, or to request a public hearing in accordance with Section 49-17-29(4)(a) .

The department may conduct a public hearing on the tank regulatory fee when a significant level of public interest exists or when warranted by other factors. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (2), the commission may proceed with entry of the order if the UST Advisory Council fails to submit its report in a timely manner.

The tank regulatory fee shall be due July 1 of each year, and if any part of the fee is not paid within thirty (30) days after the due date, a penalty of fifty percent (50%) of the amount due shall accrue at once and be added to the fee, unless the owner of the underground storage tank demonstrates to the commission that the failure to make timely payment was unavoidable due to financial hardship or otherwise beyond the control of the owner.

Monies collected under this section shall be deposited in a special fund which is created in the State Treasury. Unexpended amounts remaining in the special fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the General Fund and any interest earned on amounts in the special fund shall be credited to the special fund by the Treasurer. The fund may receive monies from any available public or private source, including, but not limited to, the fund, collection of fees, interest, grants, taxes, public or private donations and judicial actions. Monies in this special fund shall be expended by annual appropriation approved by the Legislature to administer Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / 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. § 49-19-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-1
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be a State Forestry Commission composed of ten (10) members, who shall be qualified electors of the state. The Dean of the School of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University shall be an ex officio member of the commission, with full voting authority. The Governor shall appoint eight (8) members, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of six (6) years. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member from each congressional district as constituted at the time the appointments are made and shall appoint the remainder of the members from the state at large. A member from a congressional district must be a certified tree farmer who owns eighty (80) or more acres of forest land or a person who derives a major portion of his or her personal income from forest-related business, industry or other related activities. Members of the commission from the state at large may or may not possess the same qualifications as members appointed from the congressional districts.

(2) The members of the commission shall receive no annual salary but each member of the commission shall receive a per diem plus expenses and mileage as authorized by law for each day devoted to the discharge of official duties. No member of the commission shall receive total per diem in excess of twenty-four (24) days' compensation per annum.

(3) If a vacancy occurs in the office of an appointed member of the commission, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.

(4) The commission shall elect from its membership a chair, who shall preside over meetings, and a vice chair, who shall preside in the absence of the chair or when the chair is excused.

(5) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations governing times and places for meetings, and governing the manner of conducting its business. Each member of the commission shall take the oath prescribed by Section 268 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 and shall enter into a bond in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to be approved by the Secretary of State, conditioned according to law and payable to the State of Mississippi before assuming the duties of office.

(6) Any appointment made to the commission contrary to this section shall be void, and it is unlawful for the State Fiscal Officer to pay any per diem or authorize the expenses of the appointee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-80 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-80
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-80
Status: in_force

No person shall stock, place, release or cause to be released into any of the public waters of the state any aquatic species without first obtaining a permit from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. No person shall release or cause to be released within this state, any animal not indigenous to Mississippi without first obtaining a permit from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The department may issue or deny a permit after it completes a study of the species to determine any detrimental effect the species might have on the environment.

The department shall establish and maintain a list of approved, restricted and prohibited species and establish rules governing importation, possession, sale and escape of those species.

This section shall not prohibit the practice of catch and release of native fish species or the release of native fish bait species.

A person violating this section is guilty of Class I violation and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-171 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-171
Status: in_force

Before approving and allocating funds for a proposed project to be undertaken outside this state or outside the United States, the commission shall obtain evidence that the project is acceptable to the government agency having jurisdiction over the lands and waters affected by the project.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-119 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-119
Status: in_force

The bonds authorized by Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 and the income therefrom, all trust indentures and mortgages executed as security therefor, all lease agreements made pursuant to the provisions hereof, and all pollution control facilities (when owned by the municipality) and the revenues derived from any agreement with respect thereto shall be exempt from all taxation by the State of Mississippi, and by any political subdivision thereof, except for inheritance, estate or transfer taxes and except further the contractors tax levied by Section 27-65-21, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Activity Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-23-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 23-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-3
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 :

(a) “An unzoned commercial or industrial area” is an area determined by actual land uses which is commercial, industrial, marketing or mercantile, along a state controlled route and extending outward along one (1) side of such highway not more than eight hundred (800) feet from the edge of such activity.

(b) “ Areas which are zoned industrial or commercial ” means an area along a state controlled route that has been zoned or rezoned as industrial or commercial under the authority of any law of this state, which shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, zoning districts customarily referred to as “B” or business, “C” or commercial, “I” or industrial, “M” or manufacturing and “S” or service and all similar classifications.

(c) “ Commission ” means the Mississippi Transportation Commission.

(d) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

(e) “ Erect ” means to construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish an advertising message.

(f) “ Great River Road ” means that portion of highway located within this state as officially designated by the Federal Highway Administration pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(g) “ Information center ” means an area or site established and maintained at safety rest areas for the purpose of informing the public of places of interest within the state and providing such other information as the commission may consider desirable.

(h) “ 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 commission, and approved pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(i) “ Maintenance ” means repair, replacement, change, renovation or improvement of any outdoor advertising sign as defined herein. Maintenance shall not include the removal or destruction of any outdoor advertising sign.

(j) “ National highway 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 commission, and approved pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(k) “ Outdoor advertising ” or “ outdoor advertising sign ” means by outdoor signs, display, light, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or other thing which is designated, intended or used to advertise or inform, any part of which is visible from any place on the main-traveled way of a state controlled route.

(l) “ Primary system ” means that portion of connected main highways, as officially designated by the commission, and approved pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(m) “ Safety rest area ” means an area or site established and maintained within or adjacent to the right-of-way or under public supervision or control, for the convenience of the traveling public.

(n) “ Scenic byway ” means a highway that is designated as a scenic byway under Section 65-41-1 et seq. without regard to qualification as a Federal Scenic Byway, meaning that both “state” scenic byway as well as “federal” scenic byway shall be included under the general category of “scenic byway.”

(o) “ State controlled routes ” means the Interstate System, the Federal Primary System, the National Highway System, the Great River Road and any scenic byways as defined herein along with any additions or deletions thereto as the Federal Highway Administration shall determine by federal statutes or regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-73 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-73
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful to needlessly disturb or to destroy the nests of birds or their eggs. A violation of this section is a Class II violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 23-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11
Status: in_force

(1) No sign, other than signs described in paragraphs (1)(b), (c) and (f) of Section 49-23-5 , may be erected without first obtaining a permit from the department, which application for a permit shall be on a form provided by the department and shall contain such information as the department may reasonably require. Upon receipt of an application containing all required information in due form and appropriately executed, and upon payment of the required permit fee, the department shall within ten (10) days thereof issue a permit to the applicant for the erection of the sign, provided such sign will not violate any provision of Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 .

(2) An initial permit fee of Eighty-five Dollars ($85.00) for each applicant, regardless of the number of signs at a single site, shall be charged by the Mississippi Department of Transportation for a sign permit initially issued to an applicant after June 30, 1995. An initial permit fee is valid for a period of twelve (12) months and may be renewed annually upon payment by the permittee to the department of a fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) per site.

(3) Trees, bushes and vegetation growing at or near permitted sites may be cleared or removed by a permittee, his employee or contractor upon application made to and approved by the department. The department shall charge a permittee a vegetation clearance fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per site each time that the department authorizes vegetation clearance. The commission shall provide for a permitting process in its rules and regulations. Regardless of any rule or regulation to the contrary, the department shall issue a vegetation clearance permit if such is sought for the purpose of reducing the height above road grade of a sign erected prior to July 1, 2003, to forty (40) feet.

(4) Exempt from the payment of any fees under the provisions of subsection (2) or (3) of this section are:

(a) Small business signs. A sign is a small business sign if:

(i) The sign advertises a service or product offered by a business;

(ii) The sign is not located on the premises of the business that offers the product or service;

(iii) The sign does not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet;

(iv) The sign is owned, not leased, by the owner of the business that offers the product or service;

(v) The only information that appears on the sign consists of the product or service that is offered by the business and the name and location of the business; and

(vi) The business that offers the product or service is located at a single site, is operated by the owner and employs no more than two (2) individuals, excluding family members.

(b) Directional signs, public service signs, public utility signs and other official signs and notices approved under rules and regulations adopted by the Mississippi Transportation Commission.

(c) Signs advertising a product or service available from the same premises where the sign is located.

(5) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to limit in any way the authority of any municipality in which the sign is to be erected, to require a permit from the municipality to be obtained, and the payment of a reasonable permit fee in addition to the fee imposed under this section. However, the governing authorities of any municipality or the board of supervisors of any county may not annually, regularly or intermittently impose any fee or privilege license on any business for its sign or signs that are lawfully located on the business' property and that are lawfully used for the purpose of advertising such business, its products or services. The governing authorities of any municipality or the board of supervisors of any county may impose an initial, reasonable fee on a business for the purpose of ensuring compliance of such sign and the installation thereof with such governing authority's lawful zoning requirements, public safety requirements or sign restrictions, but, under no circumstances may the governing authorities of any municipality or the board of supervisors of any county impose any fee or privilege license on any business for any lawful sign located within the interior of a business.

(6) The money received from the fees paid under this section to the department shall be deposited in the State Highway Maintenance Fund and may be expended, upon legislative appropriation, for any purpose for which other monies in such fund may be expended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-419 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-7-83 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-83
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to return to the water, immediately, any game fish taken by net or seines or other contrivances used for the taking of fish not classified as game fish.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 25-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-17
Status: in_force

Any person, partnership or corporation that seeks to establish, or establishes, a junkyard within one thousand (1,000) feet of the nearest right-of-way line of any interstate or primary highway that does not come within one or more of the exceptions contained in Section 49-25-7 , shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for any such offense. Each day's presence of the junkyard within the prohibited distance shall be a separate offense for the purpose of the penalty provision. In addition thereto, the State Highway Commission may seek injunctive relief in the courts of the county in which said junkyard may be located to abate the said nuisance and to require the removal of all junk from the prohibited area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-49 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-49
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources' oyster check station located at the Pass Christian Harbor, Pass Christian, Mississippi, shall be named the Colonel George J. Wright, Sr., building. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Colonel George J. Wright, Sr., building, which states the background, accomplishments and public health service to the state and nation of Colonel George J. Wright, Sr.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-115 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-115
Status: in_force

Any agreement made under subsection (e) of Section 49-17-103 may provide that the pollution control facilities will be owned by the municipality, and leased to the industry; may provide the industry with an option to purchase the pollution control facility upon such terms and conditions as the governing board and the industry shall agree upon at a price which may be a nominal amount or less than the true value at the time of purchase; or may provide that the pollution control facilities shall become the property of the industry upon the acquisition thereof. Any such agreement may also, but is not required to, include a guaranty agreement whereby a corporation, foreign or domestic, other than the industry guarantees in whole or in part the obligations of the industry under the lease/sale upon such terms and conditions as the governing board may deem appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-39
Status: in_force

(1) For every violation of Section 49-5-5 the person so offending shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) or more than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), and by imprisonment in the county jail not less than ten (10) days or more than thirty (30) days. For every subsequent violation of Section 49-5-5 , the person so offending shall be punished by a fine of not less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) or more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), and by imprisonment in the county jail not less than ten (10) days or more than thirty (30) days, which sentence shall be served and not suspended. No person convicted of violating the above section shall for two (2) years thereafter be allowed to hunt or receive license to hunt for birds or game in the county of his conviction and in the management area within which the refuge, sanctuary or preserve is located. No person convicted of any subsequent violation of the above section shall for two (2) years thereafter be allowed to hunt or receive a license to hunt for birds or game in the State of Mississippi.

(2) Any person trespassing on any game or fish refuge in any game or fish management area shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) and imprisonment in the county jail of not more than thirty (30) days.

(3) 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 misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-215 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 19-215
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-215
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall actively and diligently encourage all eligible owners to use their own resources or to employ the resources of private vendors to implement approved practices.

(2) The commission shall not enter into active competition with eligible owners or private vendors for the on-the-ground job of implementing any approved practice as it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage private business, forest industries and the forestry community to participate in the economic development which will be provided by Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-201 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-201
Status: in_force

Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 shall be cited as the “Forest Resource Development Law of 1974”.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-35-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 35-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-9
Status: in_force

(1)(a) If the department and a brownfield party reach a proposed agreement, then at least thirty (30) days before the date that the commission considers the proposed brownfield agreement under Section 49-35-11 , the department shall publish a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties in which the brownfield agreement site is located. The public notice shall (i) describe the proposed brownfield agreement, including the proposed brownfield agreement site; (ii) request public comment on the proposed agreement within thirty (30) days after the date of publication of the notice; and (iii) provide the date and location of the commission's consideration of the proposed brownfield agreement. A copy of the proposed brownfield agreement shall be filed for public inspection in the county courthouse of the county or counties in which the proposed brownfield agreement site is located.

(b) The commission shall notify in writing the governing authority of the local government in which the proposed site is located.

(c) At the time of publication of the public notice under paragraph (a) of this subsection, an applicant brownfield party shall notify by certified mail, each record owner of property contiguous to the brownfield agreement site identified by the brownfield party after examination of the land records of the county or counties in which the brownfield agreement site is located at the address contained in the county records, if available. No brownfield agreement shall be declared invalid based on failure of any person to receive notice under this subsection.

(d) The commission may by regulation require additional public notice.

(2) The department may conduct a public hearing on the proposed brownfield agreement in the county in which the majority of the proposed brownfield agreement site is located, or in any other location in the local area of the proposed brownfield agreement site that is convenient to the members of the public who may have an interest in the proposed brownfield agreement. The department shall publish a notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties in which the proposed brownfield agreement site is located. The department shall provide to the commission for review before its consideration of the proposed brownfield agreement all public comments and the transcript of any public hearing on the proposed brownfield agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-19
Status: in_force

In order to carry out the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , the commission may set ambient standards of air and water quality for the state or portions thereof. Such ambient standards of quality shall be such as to protect the public health and welfare and the present and prospective future use of such air and of such waters for public water supplies, propagation of fish and aquatic life and wildlife, recreational purposes, and agricultural, industrial and other legitimate uses. Such ambient standards may be amended from time to time as determined to be necessary by the commission. In order to carry out the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , the commission may also set emission standards for the purpose of controlling air contamination, air pollution and the sources thereof. In establishing ambient air quality standards for odor, the commission shall adopt recognized objective standards if they exist. In the absence of a recognized objective ambient air quality standard for odor, the commission may adopt such subjective standards as may be appropriate.

In establishing such standards relating to pesticides and commercial fertilizers for underground water, the commission shall adopt federal standards if they exist. If no federal standard exists, the commission shall petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish a federal standard for the substance of interest. If the commission determines that a federal standard cannot be obtained within thirty (30) days, it shall consult with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Drinking Water and Office of Pesticide Programs regarding the agency's conclusion relative to available toxicological information on the substance of interest and on the methodology used for establishing a federal standard. The commission shall utilize this information and methodology to establish a standard. The commission may also consult with and request similar information from other sources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 18-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-3
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter the term:

(a) “Damages” means damages of any kind for which liability may exist under the laws of this state resulting from, arising out of, or related to the discharge or threatened discharge of oil;

(b) “Discharge” means any emission (other than natural seepage), intentional or unintentional, and includes, but is not limited to, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping;

(c) “Federal on-scene coordinator” means the federal official predesignated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Coast Guard to coordinate and direct federal responses under subpart D, or the official designated by the lead agency to coordinate and direct removal under subpart E, of the National Contingency Plan;

(d) “National Contingency Plan” means the National Contingency Plan prepared and published under Section 311(d) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1321(d) ), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Pub.L. No. 101-380, 104 Stat. 484 (1990) ;

(e) “Oil” means oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil; but does not include petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, which is specifically listed or designated as a hazardous substance under subparagraphs (A) through (F) of Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9601 ) and which is subject to the provisions of that act;

(f) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, state, municipality, commission, or political subdivision of a state, or any interstate body;

(g) “Removal costs” means the costs of removal that are incurred after a discharge of oil has occurred or, in any case in which there is a substantial threat of a discharge of oil, the costs to prevent, minimize or mitigate oil pollution from such an incident;

(h) “Responsible party” means a responsible party as defined under Section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Pub.L. No. 101-380, 104 Stat. 484 (1990).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 31 / Section 35-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-21
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 49-2-9 , the commission shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement this article by January 1, 1999. Those regulations may include provisions for determining the eligibility of any person to enter into a brownfield agreement; criteria for inclusion of brownfield property in a brownfield agreement site, including brownfield property under an existing commission agreement or order; requirements for submission of additional information as part of the application or processing of the application and additional requirements for public notice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-717 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-17-413 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-413
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-413
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations governing underground storage tanks, which shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Notification of abandoned underground storage tanks;

(b) Registration of underground storage tanks currently under operation;

(c) Standards for underground storage tanks. The commission shall distinguish in such standards between requirements appropriate for new tanks, for tanks in existence on the date of the promulgation of the standards and for abandoned tanks. These standards shall include, but not be limited to, design, construction, installation, release detection, and compatibility standards;

(d) Release detection, prevention and corrective action;

(e) Tank closure requirements;

(f) Standards for monitoring, testing, reporting and record keeping;

(g) Requirements for financial responsibility. The commission shall adopt requirements to insure financial responsibility for corrective action and compensation of third parties required by releases arising from the operation of an underground storage tank, except that such requirements shall not exceed those established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Financial responsibility may be established by any one (1) or combination of the following: insurance; guarantee; surety bond; letter of credit; qualification as a self-insurer; for owners of underground storage tanks containing motor fuels, use of the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund; or any other financial assurance mechanism which shall be allowed under EPA regulations governing underground storage tanks; and

(h) Requirements to implement the National Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), 42 USC 15801 .

(2) Variances and temporary emergency variances may be granted by the commission from any regulation adopted pursuant to Section 49-17-401 et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-89 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 49-35-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 35-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-25
Status: in_force

(1) The brownfield party who submits a brownfield agreement application shall pay all reasonable direct and indirect costs of the department associated with the processing of the brownfield agreement application and administration of the brownfield agreement less the advance costs required in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) A brownfield party who submits a brownfield agreement application for review by the department shall pay advance costs of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) at the time the application is submitted to the department.

(3) The commission shall set by order a schedule of costs for the processing of the brownfield agreement applications and the administration of brownfield agreements by the department.

(4)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a fund to be designated as the “Brownfields Cleanup and Redevelopment Trust Fund,” referred to in this section as “fund,” to be administered by the executive director.

(b) Monies in the fund shall be utilized to pay reasonable direct and indirect costs associated with the processing of the brownfield agreement applications and the administration of brownfield agreements.

(c) Expenditures may be made from the fund upon requisition by the executive director.

(d) The fund shall be treated as a special trust fund. Interest earned on the principal shall be credited by the Treasurer to the fund.

(e) The fund may receive monies from any available public or private source, including, but not limited to, collection of costs, interest, grants, taxes, public and private donations, judicial actions and appropriated funds.

(f) Monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall be retained in the fund for use in the next succeeding fiscal year.

(5) All monies collected under this section shall be deposited into the fund.

(6) The commission may delegate to the department responsibility for the collection of costs in subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

(7) All costs under subsection (1) of this section shall be due before a date specified by the department in an invoice which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following the invoice date. If any part of the costs that are imposed is not paid within thirty (30) days after the due date, a penalty of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount due may be imposed and be added to that amount. Any penalty collected under this section shall be deposited into the fund. If the department pursues legal action to collect costs incurred, reasonable attorney's fees and costs may be assessed against the delinquent party.

(8) Any person required to pay costs under this section who disagrees with the calculation or applicability of the costs may petition the commission for a hearing in accordance with Section 49-17-35 . Any hearing shall be in accordance with Section 49-17-33 .

(9) Costs collected under this section shall not supplant or reduce in any way the general fund appropriation to the department for the administration of this program.

(10) The department may suspend any activities or actions related to the processing of the brownfield agreement application or administration of a brownfield agreement, if the brownfield party or parties fails to pay any required costs or penalties imposed under this section.

(11) Nothing in this section affects any existing program at the department or affects any authority of the commission or department to take any action authorized by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 25-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-1
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the “Junkyard Control Law.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-23-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 23-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-23
Status: in_force

Nothing in Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 , shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any lawful ordinance, regulation or resolution, which are more restrictive than the provisions of such sections.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Activity Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-755 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 49-39-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 39-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-22 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-22
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-22
Status: in_force

The Commission on Marine Resources is hereby authorized to cooperate with the Commission on Environmental Quality for the enforcement of the provisions of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 in and on the salt waters of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-43
Status: repealed

Oysters for sale either wholesale or retail may be packaged in glass jars covered with a screw-type top or lid of the type customarily and heretofore used in the seafood industry in the State of Mississippi, but this section shall automatically be repealed if and when such type packaging becomes prohibited by any agency of the United States Government for shipment in interstate commerce.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / 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. § 49-8-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 8-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-3
Status: in_force

For purposes of Section 49-8-1 et seq. :

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

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

(c) “Wild animal” means any wild animal classified as inherently dangerous to humans as provided in Section 49-8-5 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-319 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-319
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-319
Status: in_force

(1) Any charter or recreational fishing boat which will be in the Gulf of Mexico over twenty-four (24) hours shall file a float plan with the department prior to departure.

(2) If a float plan is not filed, the fish on such boat shall not be filleted.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / Section 28-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27
Status: in_force

(1) The board of supervisors of the county in which a district exists, may, according to the terms of the resolution and upon receipt of a resolution of the board of commissioners adopted by a three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) majority of that board requesting the funds, levy a special tax, not to exceed four (4) mills annually, on all taxable real property in the district. The avails of the tax shall be paid over to the board of commissioners of the district to be used either for the support of the district, planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance or improvement of projects of the district or for the retirement of any bonds issued by the district, or for any combination of those uses.

(2) The proceeds derived from two (2) mills of the levy authorized in this section shall be included in the ten percent (10%) increase limitation under Section 27-39-321 , and the proceeds derived from any additional millage levied under this subsection in excess of two (2) mills shall be excluded from that limitation for the first year of such additional levy and shall be included within that limitation in any year thereafter.

(3) Following the initial tax levy, the special tax levy under this subsection may be increased only when the board of supervisors, after receipt of the resolution of the board of commissioners requesting an increase and stating the proposed amount of the increase and the purposes for which the additional revenues shall be used, has determined the need for additional revenues, adopts a resolution declaring its intention to increase the levy and has held an election on the question of increasing the tax levy prescribed in this section. The notice calling for an election shall state the purposes for which the additional revenues shall be used and the amount of the tax levy to be imposed for those purposes. The tax levy may be increased only if the proposed increase is approved by a three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) majority of those voting within the district. Only those qualified electors of the county which reside in the district may vote in the election. Subject to specific provisions of this paragraph to the contrary, the publication of notice and manner of holding the election within the district shall be as prescribed by law for the holding of elections for the issuance of bonds by the board of supervisors. The election shall be held only within the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-433 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-19-203 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-203
Status: in_force

The legislature of the State of Mississippi recognizes that the growing demands on forests and related land resources cannot be met by intensive management of public lands and industrial forests alone, and declares that the development of forest resources on poorly stocked, idle and poorly managed lands in Mississippi is needed to insure that Mississippi shall continue to develop its forest economy.

The legislature declares the development of forest resources on suitable lands to be a public policy of the State of Mississippi. The legislature is mindful, in stating this policy, that continuous timber growth of commercially valuable species for needed forest products is in the public interest, and that such growth can be attained, to a considerable degree, by making financial assistance available to private non-industrial landowners for developing forest resources on desirable and suitable sites.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-325 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-37-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 37-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7
Status: in_force

(1) There is created the Mississippi Statewide Scientific Information Management System Coordinating Council, hereinafter referred to as “coordinating council,” for the purpose of developing a strategic plan for a statewide scientific information management system and serving as a coordinating entity for all aspects of scientific information management.

(2)(a) The council shall consist of the following voting members: the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality; the Executive Director of the Department of Economic and Community Development; the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources; the State Health Officer; the State Forester; the Executive Director of the Department of Transportation; the Chairman of the Mississippi Water Resources Advisory Council; the Vice-President for Research and Sponsored Programs at each university on the Mississippi Research Consortium; the Vice-President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University; the State Director of Technology Transfer; the Center Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Stennis Space Center; the District Chief, Mississippi District, United States Geological Survey; the Executive Director of the Mississippi Automated Resource Information System; the Executive Director of the Department of Information Technology Services; the President of the Institute of Technology Development; and two (2) representatives of the private sector user community appointed by the Governor.

Members of the coordinating council not appointed by the Governor shall serve a term concurrent with their term of office in their respective position. Nonappointed members may designate an alternate to serve in their stead and the alternate shall have the authority to act for the designating member.

Members of the council appointed by the Governor shall serve four-year terms.

(b) In addition to the members of the coordinating council specified in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the coordinating council may invite, as participating members, representatives of any other state and federal organizations, or individuals possessing appropriate expertise or who have a viable interest in the development and implementation of the statewide scientific information management system.

(c) The Chairman of the Senate Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee and one (1) member of that committee appointed by the chairman may attend meetings of the coordinating council. The Speaker of the House of Representatives may designate the Chairman of the House Conservation and Water Resources Committee and one (1) member of that committee to attend any meeting of the coordinating council. The appointing authorities may designate alternate members from their respective houses to serve when the regular designees are unable to attend such meetings of the coordinating council. The legislative designees shall have no jurisdiction or vote on any matter within the jurisdiction of the coordinating council. For attending meetings of the coordinating council, the legislators shall receive per diem and expenses which shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same amounts as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session; however, no per diem and expenses for attending meetings of the coordinating council will be paid while the Legislature is in session. No per diem and expenses will be paid except for attending meetings of the coordinating council without prior approval of the proper committee in their respective houses.

(d) Original appointments to the coordinating council shall be made no later than October 1, 1999. The Governor shall require adequate disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by appointed members of the coordinating council. Vacancies on the coordinating council shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointments.

(e) The coordinating council shall elect from its membership a chairperson to preside over meetings and vice-chairperson to preside in the absence of the chairperson or when the chairperson shall be excused. The coordinating council shall adopt procedures governing the manner of conducting its business. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum to do business.

(f) Members of the coordinating council shall serve without compensation, except as otherwise provided in paragraph c of this subsection. At the direction of the chairman of the coordinating council and contingent upon the availability of sufficient funds, each member may receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses in accordance with rates established pursuant to Section 25-3-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 , incurred in attending meetings of the coordinating council.

(3) The coordinating council shall convene before November 15, 1999.

(4) The coordinating council shall not employ any permanent staff, rent or occupy independent office space or otherwise establish a full-time office.

(5) In conducting its activities under this chapter, the coordinating council may elicit the support of and participation by any state or local governmental agency as may be necessary or appropriate. All state and local governmental agencies shall provide support or participation as requested.

(6) The coordinating council may exercise those duties and powers necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including, but not limited to, the following functions:

(a) Conduct, or cause to be conducted any studies, analyses or evaluations related to the development and implementation of a scientific information management system;

(b) Apply and contract for and accept any grants, public or private funds, gifts or proceeds in furtherance of the activities of the coordinating council;

(c) Authorize the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to enter into all contracts or execute all instruments, on behalf of the coordinating council, and do all acts necessary, desirable or convenient to carry out any power expressly granted to the council in this chapter; and

(d) Expend or distribute any funds or assets in its custody or under its control appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-83 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-83
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to return to the water, immediately, any game fish taken by net or seines or other contrivances used for the taking of fish not classified as game fish.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-225 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-225
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-225
Status: in_force

Any agency, department, board, commission or other subdivision of government of the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof is authorized to implement an approved practice on any lands suitable for forestry purposes owned by such political entity or owned by the State of Mississippi and supervised or managed by such entity. The governing authorities of such entity shall engage the assistance of the county forester of the county in which the land is located in the preparation of an application for submission to the commission. The commission shall treat any such political entity as an individual owner for purposes of considering applications, granting cost-share assistance and approving the practice implemented.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-35
Status: in_force

There shall be posted upon every outdoor advertising sign, display or device erected or maintained adjacent to any highway constituting a part of the interstate or primary system of highways and restricted or regulated by Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-33, Mississippi Code of 1972 , except those signs, displays or devices as specified in subsections (1)(a), (b), (c) and (f), and (2)(a), (b) and (c) of Section 49-23-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, the name or logo of the owner of such sign, display or device if the owner of such outdoor advertising is separate and distinct from the owner of the real property upon which such outdoor advertising is located.

The name or logo of the owner shall be permanently written on each such outdoor advertising sign, display or device if it is the intention of the parties that ownership of such outdoor advertising is, and shall be, separate from the ownership of the real property upon which it is situated.

Each such outdoor advertising sign, display or device heretofore or hereafter erected or maintained without such notice of ownership being posted as aforesaid shall be construed to have attached to the real estate and to be owned by the owner of the real estate upon which the said outdoor advertising is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / 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. § 49-15-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-19-201 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 19-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-201
Status: in_force

Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 shall be cited as the “Forest Resource Development Law of 1974”.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-69
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person in the taking or killing of fur-bearing animals or fish to use poison, explosives or chemicals of any description.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-93 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-93
Status: in_force

Any holder of bonds issued under the provisions of Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 or of any of the interest coupons pertaining thereto may, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus or other proceeding, protect and enforce any and all rights granted hereunder or under such resolution, and may enforce and compel performance of all duties required by Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 to be performed, in order to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-139 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-139
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-139
Status: in_force

This chapter shall in no way abridge, affect or repeal any of the statutes, laws, or acts relating to or having reference to seafoods, oysters, saltwater fish, saltwater shrimp, diamond back terrapin, sea turtle, crabs or any other species of marine or saltwater animal life existing or living in the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi as set out in and covered by Chapter 15 of Title 49 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 . None of the duties conferred on the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources under Chapter 15 of Title 49 shall be conferred upon or exercised in any way by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 21-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1
Status: reserved

The Interstate Environmental Compact is hereby enacted into law and entered into with all other jurisdictions legally joining herein in the form substantially as follows:

ARTICLE 1. Findings, Purposes and Reservations of Power.

(1) Findings.

Signatory states hereby find and declare:

(a) The environment of every state is affected with local, state, regional and national interests and its protection, under appropriate arrangements for intergovernmental cooperation, are public purposes of the respective signatories.

(b) Certain environmental pollution problems transcend state boundaries and thereby become common to adjacent states requiring cooperative efforts.

(c) The environment of each state is subject to the effective control of the signatories, and coordinated, cooperative or joint exercise of control measures is in their common interests.

(2) Purposes.

The purposes of the signatories in enacting this compact are:

(a) To assist and participate in the national environment protection programs as set forth in federal legislation; to promote intergovernmental cooperation for multistate action relating to environmental protection through interstate agreements; and to encourage cooperative and coordinated environmental protection by the signatories and the federal government;

(b) To preserve and utilize the functions, powers and duties of existing state agencies of government to the maximum extent possible consistent with the purposes of the compact.

(3) Powers of the United States.

(a) Nothing contained in this compact shall impair, affect or extend the constitutional authority of the United States.

(b) The signatories hereby recognize the power and right of the Congress of the United States at any time by any statute expressly enacted for that purpose to revise the terms and conditions of its consent.

(4) Powers of the States.

Nothing contained in this compact shall impair or extend the constitutional authority of any signatory state, nor shall the police powers of any signatory state be affected except as expressly provided in a supplementary agreement under Article 4.

ARTICLE 2. Short Title, Definitions, Purposes and Limitations.

(1) Short Title. This compact shall be known and may be cited as the Interstate Environmental Compact.

(2) Definitions. -For the purpose of this compact and of any supplemental or concurring legislation enacted pursuant or in relation hereto, except as may be otherwise required by the context:

(a) “State” shall mean any one of the fifty states of the United States of America and its territories and possessions.

(b) “Interstate environment pollution” shall mean any pollution of a stream or body of water crossing or marking a state boundary, interstate air quality control region designated by an appropriate federal agency or solid waste collection and disposal district or program involving the jurisdiction or territories of more than one state.

(c) “Government” shall mean the governments of the United States and the signatory states.

(d) “Federal government” shall mean the government of the United States of America and any appropriate department, instrumentality, agency, commission, bureau, division, branch or other unit thereof, as the case may be, but shall not include the District of Columbia.

(e) “Signator” shall mean any state which enters into this compact and is a party thereto.

ARTICLE 3. Intergovernmental Cooperation.

(1) Agreements with the Federal Government and other Agencies.

Signatory states are hereby authorized jointly to participate in cooperative or joint undertakings for the protection of the interstate environment with the federal government or with any intergovernmental or interstate agencies.

ARTICLE 4. Supplementary Agreements, Jurisdiction and Enforcement.

(1) Signatories may enter into agreements for the purpose of controlling interstate environmental problems in accordance with applicable federal legislation and under terms and conditions as deemed appropriate by the agreeing states under paragraph (6) and paragraph (8) of this article.

(2) Recognition of Existing Non-Environmental Intergovernmental Arrangements. The signatories agree that existing federal-state, interstate or intergovernmental arrangements which are not primarily directed to environmental protection purposes as defined herein are not affected by this compact.

(3) Recognition of Existing Intergovernmental Agreements Directed to Environmental Objectives. All existing interstate compacts directly relating to environmental protection are hereby expressly recognized and nothing in this compact shall be construed to diminish or supersede the powers and functions of such existing intergovernmental agreements and the organizations created by them.

(4) Modification of Existing Commissions and Compacts. Recognition herein of multistate commissions and compacts shall not be construed to limit directly or indirectly the creation of additional multistate organizations or interstate compacts, nor to prevent termination, modification, extension, or supplementation of such multistate organizations and interstate compacts recognized herein by the federal government or states party thereto.

(5) Recognition of Future Multistate Commissions and Interstate Compacts. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to prevent signatories from entering into multistate organizations or other interstate compacts which do not conflict with their obligations under this compact.

(6) Supplementary Agreements. Any two or more signatories may enter into supplementary agreements for joint, coordinated or mutual environmental management activities relating to interstate pollution problems common to the territories of such states and for the establishment of common or joint regulation, management, services, agencies or facilities for such purposes or may designate an appropriate agency to act as their joint agency in regard thereto. No supplementary agreement shall be valid to the extent that it conflicts with the purposes of this compact and the creation of a joint agency by supplementary agreement shall not affect the privileges, powers, responsibilities or duties under this compact of signatories participating therein as embodied in this compact.

(7) Execution of Supplementary Agreements and Effective Date. The governor is authorized to enter into supplementary agreements for the state and his official signature shall render the agreement immediately binding upon the state:

Provided that:

(a) The legislature of any signatory entering into such a supplementary agreement shall at its next legislative session by concurrent resolution bring the supplementary agreement before it and by appropriate legislative action approve, reverse, modify or condition the agreement of that state.

(b) Nothing in this agreement shall be construed to limit the right of congress by act of law expressly enacted for that purpose to disapprove or condition such a supplementary agreement.

(8) Special Supplementary Agreements. Signatories may enter into special supplementary agreement with foreign nations for the same purposes and with the same powers as under paragraph (6), article 4, upon the conditions that such non-signatory party accept the general obligations of signatories under this compact. Provided, that such special supplementary agreements shall become effective only after being consented to by the congress.

(9) Jurisdiction of Signatories Reserved. Nothing in this compact or in any supplementary agreement thereunder shall be construed to restrict, relinquish or be in derogation of, any power or authority constitutionally possessed by any signatory within its jurisdiction, except as specifically limited by this compact or a supplementary agreement.

(10) Complementary Legislation by Signatories. Signatories may enact such additional legislation as may be deemed appropriate to enable its officers and governmental agencies to accomplish effectively the purposes of this compact and supplementary agreements recognized or entered into under the terms of this article.

(11) Legal Rights of Signatories. Nothing in this compact shall impair the exercise by any signatory of its legal rights or remedies established by the United States Constitution or any other laws of this nation.

ARTICLE 5. Construction, Amendment and Effective Date.

(1) Construction. It is the intent of the signatories that no provision of this compact or supplementary agreement entered into hereunder shall be construed as invalidating any provision of law of any signatory and that nothing in this compact shall be construed to modify or qualify the authority of any signatory to enact or enforce environmental protection legislation within its jurisdiction and not inconsistent with any provision of this compact or a supplementary agreement entered into pursuant hereto.

(2) Severability. The provisions of this compact or of agreements hereunder shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provisions of this compact, or such an agreement is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any signatory or of the United States or is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of this compact or of any agreement and the applicability thereof to any participating jurisdiction, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining participating jurisdictions and in full force and effect as to the signatory affected as to all severable matters. It is the intent of the signatories that the provisions of this compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed in the context of its purposes.

(3) Amendments. Amendments to this compact may be initiated by legislative action of any signatory and become effective when concurred in by all signatories and approved by congress.

(4) Effective Date. This compact shall become binding on a state when enacted by it into law and such state shall thereafter become a signatory and party hereto with any and all states legally joining herein.

(5) Withdrawal from the Compact. A state may withdraw from this compact by authority of an act of its legislature one (1) year after it notifies all signatories in writing of an intention to withdraw from the compact. Provided, withdrawal from the compact affects obligations of a signatory imposed on it by supplementary agreements to which it may be a party only to the extent and in accordance with the terms of such supplementary agreements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-135 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-135
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-135
Status: in_force

The executive director may proceed immediately to negotiate with the Game and Fish Commission of the State of Louisiana to effectuate a reciprocity agreement with such commission providing that the current hunting and fishing licenses issued to hunters or fishermen of the respective states shall be accepted and recognized by the game and fish commissions of each of the states for the purpose of hunting for migratory water fowl or fishing by the hunters or fishermen of either state in the Pearl River between top bank and top bank along the course where the Pearl River forms a boundary line between the State of Louisiana and the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 35 / Section 35-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided under subsection (5) of this section and Section 49-35-13(2) , a brownfield party who executes a brownfield agreement shall be relieved of liability to all persons other than the United States for: (a) remediation of the brownfield agreement site other than the remediation required by the brownfield agreement; and (b) all costs reasonably related to the remediation other than the remediation and costs required by the brownfield agreement or this article. However, this article shall not affect the right of any person to seek relief against any party to the brownfield agreement who may have liability with respect to a brownfield agreement site, except as provided in this section.

(2) The liability protection provided under this section applies to the following persons to the same extent as to a brownfield party:

(a) Any person under the direction or control of the brownfield party who directs or contracts for remediation or redevelopment of the brownfield agreement site;

(b) Any current owner and any future owner of the brownfield agreement site;

(c) Any person who develops, redevelops or lawfully occupies the brownfield agreement site;

(d) Any successor or assign of any person to whom the liability protection provided under this section applies; and

(e) Any lender or fiduciary that provided financing for remediation or redevelopment of the brownfield agreement site.

(3) A person who conducts an environmental assessment on a brownfield agreement site and who is not otherwise a potentially responsible party shall not become a potentially responsible party as a result of conducting the environmental assessment, unless that person increases the risk of harm to public health or the environment by failing to exercise due diligence and reasonable care in performing the environmental assessment.

(4) The liability protection provided under this section shall become effective upon execution of a brownfield agreement and shall remain effective, unless the commission removes the liability protection under Section 49-35-13(2) .

(5) A brownfield party who completes the remediation required under a brownfield agreement and any other person who receives liability protection under this section shall not be required to perform additional remediation on or under the brownfield agreement site unless:

(a) The brownfield party provides to the commission false information or fails to disclose to the commission relevant information about environmental contamination on or under the brownfield agreement site that forms a basis for the brownfield agreement or that is offered to demonstrate compliance with the brownfield agreement;

(b) New information becomes available after execution of the brownfield agreement indicating the existence of previously unknown contaminants or an area of previously unknown environmental contamination that has not been remediated to standards required by applicable federal or state law other than this article. The brownfield agreement may be amended to include remediation of any previously unknown contaminants and any additional areas in the same brownfield agreement site;

(c) The level of risk to public health or the environment resulting from the brownfield agreement site is increased beyond the level that forms a basis for the risk-based remediation requirements in the brownfield agreement due to changes in exposure conditions, including (i) a change in land use at the site or contiguous to the site that increases the probability of exposure to contaminants on or under the brownfield agreement site or (ii) the failure of remediation to mitigate risks to the extent required to make the brownfield agreement site fully protective of public health and the environment as provided in the brownfield agreement;

(d) The department obtains new information after execution of the brownfield agreement about a contaminant on or under the brownfield agreement site that increases the risk to public health or the environment on or under the brownfield agreement site beyond the level that is the basis for the risk-based remediation requirements in the brownfield agreement and in a manner or to a degree not anticipated in the brownfield agreement; or

(e) A brownfield party fails to file a timely and proper notice of brownfield agreement site under Section 49-35-17 .

(6) Upon completion of the brownfield agreement, the brownfield party may petition the commission to determine that the performance of the brownfield agreement has been completed. If the commission determines after conducting an inspection of the brownfield agreement site that the brownfield party has completed the brownfield agreement, the commission shall issue an order. Following issuance of an order by the commission, the executive director shall issue a “no further action” letter. The letter shall include the following statement: “Based upon the information provided by (brownfield agreement party) concerning property located at (location), it is the opinion of the Commission on Environmental Quality that (brownfield agreement party) has successfully and satisfactorily implemented and completed the approved brownfield agreement. No further action is required to assure that the remediation required under the brownfield agreement is protective of public health and the environment in accordance with the existing and proposed uses of this property.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 26-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Channel Maintenance Act.”