Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 49-7-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-71
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to disturb the traps of another or to take any fur-bearing animals from them unless specifically authorized by the owner and any person so doing shall be guilty of larceny, or trespass as the case may be, and punishable as provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-705 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-705
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-705
Status: in_force

Words and phrases used in this act shall have meanings as follows:

(a) “ Act ” means the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region Utility Act.

(b) “ Bonds ” mean interim notes having a maturity of three (3) years or less, revenue bonds and other certificates of indebtedness of the authority issued under the provisions of this act.

(c) “ County authority ” means a county utility authority created in the Gulf Coast Region under this act.

(d) “ Fiscal year ” means the period of time beginning on October 1 of each year and ending on September 30 of each year.

(e) “ Gulf Coast Region ” means the areas encompassed by the Counties of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.

(f) “ Municipality ” means any incorporated city, town or village of the State of Mississippi, whether operating under general law or under special charter, lying wholly or partly within the Gulf Coast Region.

(g) “ Person ” means the State of Mississippi, a county, a municipality, any public agency, or any other city, town, village or political subdivision or governmental agency, governmental instrumentality of the State of Mississippi or of the United States of America, or any private utility, individual, co-partnership, association, firm, trust, estate or any other entity whatsoever.

(h) “ Project ” means the construction, development or acquisition by the county authority or county authorities of any infrastructure for water, wastewater and storm water systems or services and includes upgrading or repair of existing systems.

(i) “ Public agency ” means any county, municipality, state board or commission owning or operating properties, district created pursuant to the general laws or local and private laws of the State of Mississippi, or other political subdivision of the State of Mississippi having the power to own and operate waterworks, water supply systems, sewerage systems, sewage treatment systems or other facilities or systems for the collection, transportation and treatment of water, wastewater and storm water.

(j) “ Storm water ” means any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and resulting from that precipitation.

(k) “ System ” or “ systems ” means any plants, structures, facilities and other real and personal property, used or useful in the generation, storage, transportation or supply of water, and the collection, transportation, treatment or disposal of wastewater and storm water, including, but not limited to, tanks, lakes, streams, ponds, pipes, trunk lines, mains, sewers, conduits, pipelines, pumping and ventilating stations, plants and works, connections and any other real and personal property and rights therein necessary, useful or convenient for the purposes of the utility board or authorities in connection therewith.

(l) “ Wastewater ” means water being disposed of by any person and which is contaminated with waste or sewage, including industrial, municipal and any other wastewater that may cause impairment of the quality of the waters in the state.

(m) “ Water ” means potable water, service water and groundwater.

(n) “ Utility board ” means the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region Utility Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 27-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-43
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of an appeal, the clerk of the chancery court shall serve notice thereof upon the commission, whereupon the commission shall within sixty (60) days, or within such additional time as the court may for cause allow, from the service of such notice certify to the chancery court the record in the case, which record shall include a transcript of all testimony, all objections, all exhibits or copies thereof, all pleadings, proceedings, orders, findings and opinions entered in the case; provided, however, that the parties and the commission may stipulate that only a specified portion of the record shall be certified to the court as the record on appeal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-37
Status: in_force

The department may employ boats, crews and laborers to cultivate the state-owned reefs of the state, and dredge the oysters in the Mississippi Sound from places where they are too thick, and spread them on reefs where they are too thin, and carry shells from the factories and spread them in places where the oyster beds can be improved and enlarged. The department may open state-owned reefs to the public for harvest. The department may purchase other materials as may be equally suitable for the propagation of oysters. The department in cultivating the reefs, transplanting and spreading oysters and shells and other suitable materials, may expend any funds available for that purpose, as provided by Section 49-15-17(1)(e) . In taking seed oysters, care shall be used to not injure or destroy the merchantable oysters on the reefs from which they are taken. The seed oysters shall be tonged from the “conner” or seed reefs, unless it is practicable and safe to dredge those oysters. The department may establish new bedding grounds at those places within the boundaries of the state as it may determine, on advice of the director, or on advice of technical governmental experts, or competent aquatic biologists. On existing state-owned reefs in which oysters exist and in waters not of a safe sanitary quality as determined by the department, the department shall prohibit any person, firm or corporation from taking oysters from those areas. The department shall from time to time remove the oysters from the areas and relay or replant them in an approved area for a period of time under Section 49-15-36 before they may be harvested. Any funds received from the sale of the oysters shall be used in a like manner as those funds received under Section 49-15-17(1)(e) .

The department may issue permits to persons to remove oysters by dredging or otherwise from water bottoms which are not of a safe sanitary quality for oysters for human consumption. These areas may be designated as seed grounds, and permits to persons shall be issued only for the purpose of transplanting oysters to privately leased Mississippi territorial waters. The department may permit the transplanting of these seed oysters by a duly authorized public agency.

The department may, upon determining the water bottom from which oysters are to be removed is not of a safe, sanitary quality for oyster production for human consumption and has been unsafe for a period of at least one (1) year immediately preceding certification, and upon complying with the following requirements, permit the dredging of oysters from restricted public areas and relaying the oysters to private leased grounds in the State of Mississippi:

(a) Permittee must hold valid lease of oyster bedding grounds in the State of Mississippi;

(b) Permittee must be bonded in compliance with the permit system established by the department;

(c) Permittee must fulfill all permit requirements as established by the department;

(d) Permittee shall not move oysters from one restricted area to another restricted area;

(e) Permittee shall move oysters only to an area leased by the department; and

(f) Permittee shall not move oysters from the restricted area without the presence of an employee of the department at all times, from the dredging of the oysters from the restricted areas to their deposit on private leased grounds or to an onshore, molluscan depuration facility.

Harvesting of oysters shall be permitted only during daylight hours and with the most efficient gear possible consistent with conservation requirements of not damaging the reefs. This shall include permission to use two (2) dredges per boat on restricted areas and on private leased grounds.

Any person obtaining a permit to remove oysters from seed grounds shall post a penal bond of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) per leased acre with the department to be forfeited upon any violation of this section. The bond may be approved by the director of the department if the director finds the bond to be secured by sufficient property or sureties.

The department shall regulate the amount and time of taking of oysters from seed areas and shall supervise the removal, planting and harvesting of oysters from the areas. The time set for the taking of oysters from restricted seed areas for relaying or replanting and the time set for the taking of oysters from private leased grounds shall be separated by not less than a period of time determined under Section 49-15-36 during which neither activity may be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / 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. § 49-19-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 19-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-37
Status: in_force

(1) Bioenergy produced from biomass is considered renewable and carbon neutral. When the bioenergy produced from biomass is paired with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, the bioenergy is carbon negative.

(2) Bioenergy produced from agricultural harvesting is considered renewable and carbon neutral. When the bioenergy produced from agricultural harvesting is paired with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, the bioenergy is carbon negative.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-727 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-727
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-727
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) Upon consolidation, the following shall apply:

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

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

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

(d) All employees of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District shall become employees of the Harrison County Utility Authority. Nothing in this act shall affect the civil service status, if any, of those employees or their rights, privileges, obligations or status with respect to any pension or retirement system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-755 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 49-35-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 35-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-31
Status: in_force

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Incentives Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-145 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-145
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-145
Status: in_force

The state forester of Mississippi shall act as “compact administrator” for the State of Mississippi and represent Mississippi in the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact. The “advisory committee” shall be composed of four (4) members as follows: (1) One member of the senate, (2) one member of the house of representatives, each of whom shall be appointed by the Mississippi Commission on Interstate Cooperation, (3) the state forester or his successor, or a comparable official, in the event of amendment to the present law, who shall be appointed by the governor and shall serve as chairman of the advisory committee, and (4) one member who shall be associated with forestry or forest products industries, to be appointed by the governor; each member shall serve for a term of four (4) years and be eligible to immediately succeed himself.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 23-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-29
Status: in_force

Federal funds appropriated to carry out the provisions of Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 are to be apportioned to the commissioners' districts in the same manner as said federal funds are apportioned to the state, and matching state funds are to be apportioned to the commissioners' districts proportionately.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 28-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-29
Status: in_force

In addition to the sources of funding provided for in Sections 49-28-1 through 49-28-27 , the board of commissioners, if approved by the board of supervisors in the resolution creating the district, may levy and collect special assessments on certain property located in the district to provide funds for the purposes for which bonds may be issued under Sections 49-28-23 and 49-28-25 . The board of commissioners may pledge the receipts from the special assessments to secure the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any bonds authorized to be issued under this chapter. Special assessments may be levied on the property within the boundaries of the district at the time the special assessments are levied. Any special assessments authorized under this section shall be levied and collected in the manner provided in Chapter 41, Title 21, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The board may secure bonds of the district solely from the receipts of special assessments, or may pledge such receipts in addition to the pledge of receipts from any tax levy authorized in this chapter, or from any combination of monies from the special assessments and tax levies. Bonds issued under Section 49-28-23 or Section 49-28-25 shall be payable as to principal, premium, if any, and interest solely from the sources authorized in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-7-38.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-38.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-38.1
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall establish a special hunting permit for youth under the age of eighteen (18) who have a life threatening illness. This permit may be for any number of days in length but only for the class of persons deemed to have a life threatening illness by the commission. This special hunting permit for youth having a life threatening illness may occur anytime during the calendar year and for any game bird or game animal. However, the commission may not allow these permits during any time that conflicts with laws governing the taking of federally protected birds or species. The commission shall select participants, set the cost of permits, if any, the number of permits to be issued and the length of the special permits.

(2) The commission may establish and regulate special youth hunts for all nonmigratory game birds and animals outside of the open season on wildlife management areas and on private lands for youth under the age of eighteen (18) who are deemed to have a life threatening illness. This permit may be for any number of days in length but only for the class of persons deemed to have a life threatening illness by the commission. The commission shall select participants, set the cost of permits, if any, the number of permits to be issued and the length of the special permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-32 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-32
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-32
Status: in_force

(1) The commission may delegate to the Department of Environmental Quality the responsibility for the collection of the Title V program fees.

(2) The Title V program fee shall be due September 1 of each year. Each owner or operator may elect a quarterly payment method of four (4) equal payments with the payments due September 1, December 1, March 1 and June 1. The owner or operator shall notify the Department of Environmental Quality that the quarterly payment method will be used by September 1.

(3) If any part of the Title V program fee imposed is not paid within thirty (30) days after the due date, a penalty of ten percent (10%) of the amount due shall at once accrue and be added thereto, unless the permittee demonstrates to the commission that the failure to make timely payment was unavoidable due to financial hardship or otherwise beyond the permittee's control. If the fee is not paid in full, including any penalty within sixty (60) days of the due date, the Environmental Quality Permit Board may revoke the permit upon proper notice and hearing as required by law. Any penalty collected under this section shall be deposited into the “Air Operating Permit Program Fee Trust Fund.”

(4) Any owner or operator that fails to properly identify themselves subject to the Title V program may be subject to fees and penalties as determined by the commission.

(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that fees collected pursuant to Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-45 shall not supplant or reduce in any way the General Fund appropriation to the Department of Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 49-17-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-45
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, acting through the Department of Environmental Quality, shall establish and administer, in accordance with the Federal Clean Air Act, the Mississippi Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program (PROGRAM).

(2) There is created the Mississippi Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel. The Mississippi Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel shall consist of the following members, the term of each to be concurrent with the term of the appointing official of that member:

(a) One (1) member representing the Air Pollution Control Program of the Department of Environmental Quality;

(b) Two (2) members who are not owners or representatives of owners of a small business, appointed by the Governor;

(c) Two (2) members who each shall be the owner or representatives of an owner of a small business, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(d) Two (2) members who each shall be the owner or representatives of an owner of a small business, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(3) The panel shall elect one (1) member to serve as chairman. The panel shall meet at the call of the chairman at Jackson, Mississippi, or such other places within the state designated by the panel; however, the panel shall not meet more than four (4) times during a calendar year.

(4) Members of the Mississippi Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel shall serve without salary, but each shall be entitled to receive per diem as provided in Section 25-3-69 and his actual travel and hotel expenses incurred while in the performance of his duties as a member of the committee in accordance with Section 25-3-41 . Per diem and expenses shall be paid on an itemized statement approved by the State Fiscal Officer from fees collected under Section 49-17-30 .

(5) The Mississippi Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel shall:

(a) Render advisory opinions concerning:

(i) The effectiveness of the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program;

(ii) Difficulties encountered; and

(iii) Degree and severity of enforcement;

(b) Make periodic reports to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning the compliance of the State Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program with the requirements of the federal Paperwork Reduction Act, the federal Regulatory Flexibility Act, and the federal Equal Access to Justice Act;

(c) Review information for small business stationary sources to assure such information is understandable by the layperson; and

(d) Have the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program serve as the secretariat for the development and dissemination of such reports and advisory opinions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-84
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall coordinate with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in the development of an ordinance for the purpose of taking Callinectes sapidus (blue crab) or allied species. The ordinance shall include provisions for the establishment of size limits for individual or market use as well as establishing legal harvest size for the cultivating of peeler crabs and soft-shell crabs.

(2) The department shall establish specifications for crab traps and shall require buoys of adequate size which are identified as to the owner of the buoys and traps. Recreational crabbers may use no more than six (6) crab traps per license holder. The taking of crabs with drop nets is permitted without a license.

(3) It is unlawful to catch, hold or have in possession any female sponge crab or any female crab bearing visible eggs at any time. It is not unlawful to catch those crabs unintentionally, if the crabs are immediately returned to the water.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-705 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-705
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-705
Status: in_force

Words and phrases used in this act shall have meanings as follows:

(a) “ Act ” means the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region Utility Act.

(b) “ Bonds ” mean interim notes having a maturity of three (3) years or less, revenue bonds and other certificates of indebtedness of the authority issued under the provisions of this act.

(c) “ County authority ” means a county utility authority created in the Gulf Coast Region under this act.

(d) “ Fiscal year ” means the period of time beginning on October 1 of each year and ending on September 30 of each year.

(e) “ Gulf Coast Region ” means the areas encompassed by the Counties of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone.

(f) “ Municipality ” means any incorporated city, town or village of the State of Mississippi, whether operating under general law or under special charter, lying wholly or partly within the Gulf Coast Region.

(g) “ Person ” means the State of Mississippi, a county, a municipality, any public agency, or any other city, town, village or political subdivision or governmental agency, governmental instrumentality of the State of Mississippi or of the United States of America, or any private utility, individual, co-partnership, association, firm, trust, estate or any other entity whatsoever.

(h) “ Project ” means the construction, development or acquisition by the county authority or county authorities of any infrastructure for water, wastewater and storm water systems or services and includes upgrading or repair of existing systems.

(i) “ Public agency ” means any county, municipality, state board or commission owning or operating properties, district created pursuant to the general laws or local and private laws of the State of Mississippi, or other political subdivision of the State of Mississippi having the power to own and operate waterworks, water supply systems, sewerage systems, sewage treatment systems or other facilities or systems for the collection, transportation and treatment of water, wastewater and storm water.

(j) “ Storm water ” means any flow occurring during or following any form of natural precipitation and resulting from that precipitation.

(k) “ System ” or “ systems ” means any plants, structures, facilities and other real and personal property, used or useful in the generation, storage, transportation or supply of water, and the collection, transportation, treatment or disposal of wastewater and storm water, including, but not limited to, tanks, lakes, streams, ponds, pipes, trunk lines, mains, sewers, conduits, pipelines, pumping and ventilating stations, plants and works, connections and any other real and personal property and rights therein necessary, useful or convenient for the purposes of the utility board or authorities in connection therewith.

(l) “ Wastewater ” means water being disposed of by any person and which is contaminated with waste or sewage, including industrial, municipal and any other wastewater that may cause impairment of the quality of the waters in the state.

(m) “ Water ” means potable water, service water and groundwater.

(n) “ Utility board ” means the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region Utility Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 28-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43
Status: in_force

Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, the board of commissioners shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the district is located a sworn statement showing the financial condition of the district, including the revenues and expenses of the district for the fiscal year just ended. The statement shall also be furnished to the board of supervisors of the county in which the district lies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-3-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 3-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-3-17
Status: in_force

The word “fish” as appears in this chapter shall mean “fresh water fish”. The provisions of this chapter shall not amend, repeal or diminish the authority heretofore vested in the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources or the work and function of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-67 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-67
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell or offer for sale the pelt of any fur-bearing animal knowing that the same has been unlawfully taken.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 27-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-41
Status: in_force

Such appeal shall be brought by a complaint in writing, stating fully the reasons therefor, signed by an authorized party, and shall be served at least twelve (12) days before the return date upon the commission and upon all parties having an interest adverse to the appellant as designated under subsection (a) of Section 49-27-39 . Such appeals shall be brought to the next return day of the court after the filing of such appeal or may be returned to a day set by fiat of the court. A cost bond must be posted with sufficient sureties payable to the state in the sum of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), to be fixed in the order appealed from and to be filed with and approved by the executive director of the commission, who shall forthwith certify the same, together with a certified copy of the transcription record of the proceedings in the matter to the chancery court to which the appeal is taken, which shall thereupon become the record of the cause. An appeal to the chancery court as provided herein shall not stay the execution of an order of the commission. Any party aggrieved by an order of the commission may petition the chancery court for an appeal with supersedeas and the chancellor shall grant a hearing on the petition, and upon good cause shown may grant the appeal with supersedeas in which case the appellant shall be required to post a bond with sufficient sureties according to law in an amount to be determined by the chancellor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / 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. § 49-15-97 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-97
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any commercial fisherman, firm or corporation to operate a vessel during the hours of sunset to sunrise when the season or time for such fishing is closed or in an area that is closed to fishing without using or displaying lights which comply with all federal regulations applicable to that vessel operated by the fisherman, firm or corporation.

(2) For the purpose of this section, the term “commercial fisherman” shall mean a commercially licensed boat, commercially licensed fisherman or any person in possession of commercial fishing gear who would be subject to regulation under this chapter.

(3) Any person, firm or corporation that violates this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) or more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for the first offense; and not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the second offense when the second offense is committed within a period of three (3) years after the date on which the first offense was committed; and not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than thirty (30) days for a third or subsequent offense when that offense is committed within a period of three (3) years after the date on which the first offense was committed.

Any fine or sentence, or both, imposed upon a person for a second, third or subsequent offense under this section shall not be suspended or reduced.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 27-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-1
Status: in_force

This chapter is to be known as the “Coastal Wetlands Protection Act” and may also be cited by its common or popular name of “Wetlands Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-11-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 11-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-3
Status: in_force

(1) The department may issue operating licenses to any person, partnership, association or corporation for the operation of shooting preserves or commercial wildlife enclosures that meet the following requirements and any applicable regulations:

(a) Each shooting preserve shall contain a minimum of one hundred (100) acres in one (1) tract of leased or owned land (including water area, if any) and shall be restricted to not more than six hundred forty (640) contiguous acres (including water area, if any), except that preserves confined to the releasing of ducks only may be authorized to operate with a minimum of fifty (50) contiguous acres (including water area).

(b) The boundaries of each shooting preserve shall be clearly defined and posted with signs erected at intervals of three hundred (300) feet or less.

(c) Each commercial wildlife enclosure shall contain a minimum of three hundred (300) acres in one (1) tract of leased or owned land (including water area, if any). No commercial wildlife enclosure shall be constructed in such a manner as to allow ingress of native wild animals without providing means of egress.

(d) The preserve or enclosure must be privately owned and operated.

(2) The commission may issue any rules or regulations necessary to regulate shooting preserves and commercial wildlife enclosures and to enforce this chapter.

(3) The commission may regulate the hunting of nonnative cervids within a commercial wildlife enclosure, and the department may enter such enclosure as provided under Section 49-11-25 and enforce such regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-11
Status: in_force

The carcasses of dressed pen-raised quail shall, when sold or given as a gift, be contained in a package or wrapper possessing, in plain easy-to-read print, the licensed seller's or donor's name, name of quail business (if used) and address. The package or wrapper may contain one or more birds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-30 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-30
Status: in_force

(1) As a condition of Title V of the federal Clean Air Act, the owner or operator of any stationary source required to obtain an air operating permit under the Title V program, hereinafter referred to as a “Title V permit,” shall pay to the Department of Environmental Quality an annual fee.

(2) To facilitate the proper administration of the Title V program, the commission is authorized to assess and collect fees from any stationary source subject to the Title V program. The commission shall establish the amount of each fee to cover the costs of the Title V program as provided in Section 49-17-14 . The commission is further authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations as are necessary for the development and administration of the Title V program and the assessment and collection of the Title V program fees.

(3)(a) The fee schedule for Title V program fees shall be set annually by order of the commission in an amount sufficient to cover the reasonable costs of development and administration of the Title V program. The commission's order shall follow:

(i) Receipt of the report and recommendations of the Advisory Council, if timely received; and

(ii) A public hearing to be held not earlier than thirty (30) days following receipt by the commission of the report and recommendations of the Advisory Council.

(b) The commission may proceed with entry of the order on fees if the Advisory Council fails to submit its report in a timely manner.

(c) The order of the commission may be appealed in the manner set forth in Section 49-17-41 .

(d) The determination of the fee set by order of the commission shall not be considered the promulgation of a regulation by the commission.

(e) The record of the public hearing shall be included in the record upon which the order is based and shall become a part of the appellate records for all appeals taken from the order of the commission establishing or modifying Title V program fees. Any undisputed amount due from an appellant must be paid according to the appellant's payment schedule during the pendency of the appeal.

(4) Any person required to pay the Title V program fee set forth under this chapter who disagrees with the calculation or applicability of the person's fee may petition the commission in writing for a hearing in accordance with Section 49-17-35 . Such hearing shall be in accordance with Section 49-17-33 . Any disputed portion of the fee for which a hearing has been requested will not incur any penalty or interest from and after the receipt by the commission of the hearing petition. The decision of the commission may be appealed in the manner set forth in Section 49-17-41 .

(5) All fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the “Air Operating Permit Program Fee Trust Fund” established in Section 49-17-14 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 23-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-5
Status: in_force

(1) No outdoor advertising shall be erected or maintained within six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of a state controlled route, except the following:

(a) Directional and other official signs and notices, which signs and notices shall include, but not be limited to, signs and notices pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historic attractions, as authorized or required by law;

(b) Signs, displays and devices advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located;

(c) Signs, displays and devices advertising the principal activities conducted on the property upon which they are located;

(d) Outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices located in areas which are zoned industrial or commercial as defined in Section 49-23-3 ;

(e) Outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices located in unzoned commercial or industrial areas as defined in Section 49-23-3 ; and

(f) Signs, displays and devices which locate, identify, mark or warn of the presence of pipelines, utility lines or rail lines and appurtenances thereto, including, but not limited to, markers used in maintenance, operation, observation and safety.

(2) No outdoor advertising shall be erected at or beyond six hundred sixty (660) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way outside of urban areas, with the purpose of their message being read from the main-traveled ways of state controlled routes, except the following:

(a) Directional and other official signs and notices, which signs and notices shall include, but not be limited to, signs and notices, pertaining to natural wonders, scenic and historic attractions, as authorized or required by law;

(b) Signs, displays and devices advertising the sale or lease of property upon which they are located;

(c) Signs, displays and devices advertising the principal activities conducted on the property upon which they are located.

(3) Signs lawfully in existence on October 22, 1965, as determined by the commission, subject to the concurrence of the United States Secretary of Transportation, to be landmark signs of historic or artistic significance, including signs on farm structures or natural surfaces, the preservation of which would be consistent with the purposes of this section, are not required to be removed.

(4) No outdoor advertising shall be erected along or adjacent to a scenic byway as defined in Section 49-23-3 .

(5) No outdoor advertising shall be erected contrary to the restrictions in SECTION 7 of Section 65-3-137 .

(6) The board of supervisors of the county, for an outdoor advertising sign that is located outside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality, and the governing authorities of a municipality, for an outdoor advertising sign that is located within the corporate limits of the municipality, may prohibit any outdoor advertising sign that contains any message or depiction of a sexually explicit nature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 8-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to ensure the public health, safety and welfare by strictly regulating the importation, sale, transfer and possession of those wild animals inherently dangerous to humans. In addition, the Legislature finds that these wild animals may pose a threat of introducing disease that is harmful to humans and Mississippi's wildlife. The Legislature further finds and declares that wildlife inherently dangerous to humans may be possessed only as provided in this chapter. The importation, sale, transfer and possession of these wild animals are privileges that are not to be granted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the privileges can be exercised in a manner that does not pose unnecessary risk to the citizens of this state and indigenous wildlife.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-33 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-33
Status: in_force

All special assessments levied under this chapter shall be payable in equal annual installments over a period not to exceed twenty-five (25) years, as determined by the board of commissioners, with interest from the date of the confirmation of the assessment at a rate, to be fixed by the board of commissioners, which will produce sufficient funds for the payment of all or a specified portion of the principal of and interest on the bonds as they mature and accrue and for fees and expenses for a paying agent or trustee, or both for the bonds. The amount to be paid through the special assessments may be limited by the board of commissioners to the amounts needed for the purposes specified in this section. Any property owner who shall not have taken an appeal from the assessment, upon failure to pay the assessment in full within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation, shall be deemed to have elected to pay the assessment in installments as provided in this section, and shall be deemed to have admitted the legality of the assessment, and the right to contest the validity of the assessment shall be waived. The installments of the assessment shall be due and payable at the same time that the annual real property tax becomes due and payable, commencing with the first county tax levy which is payable after the expiration of thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of the assessment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 28-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-11
Status: in_force

If the creation of the district is initiated by petition, the board of supervisors may bear the costs of meeting the requirements of this chapter or may require the parties filing the petition to bear the costs. The board of supervisors may require the execution of a cost bond by the parties filing the petition. The bond shall be in an amount and with good sureties to guarantee the payment of any costs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-305 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-305
Status: in_force

(1) The Governor shall appoint the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources, with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall serve at the will and pleasure of the Governor. The executive director shall be knowledgeable and experienced in marine resources management.

(2) The executive director of the department shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To supervise and direct all administrative, inspection and technical activities and personnel of the department;

(b) To employ qualified professional personnel in the subject matter or fields, and any other technical and clerical staff as may be required for the operation of the department;

(c) To coordinate all studies in the State of Mississippi concerned with the supply, development, use and conservation of marine resources;

(d) To prepare and deliver to the Legislature and the Governor on or before January 1 of each year, and at any other times as may be required by the Legislature or Governor, a full report of the work of the department, including a detailed statement of expenditures of the department and any recommendations the department may have;

(e) To enter into cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, or any person, corporation or association in connection with studies and investigations pertaining to marine resources, provided the agreements do not have a financial cost in excess of the amounts appropriated for the purposes by the Legislature; and

(f) To carry out all regulations and rules adopted by the department and enforce all licenses and permits issued by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17
Status: in_force

The commission shall have and may exercise the following powers and duties:

(a) General supervision of the administration and enforcement of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 , and all rules and regulations and orders promulgated thereunder;

(b) To develop comprehensive programs for the prevention, control and abatement of new or existing pollution of the air and waters of the state;

(c) To advise, consult, cooperate, or enter into contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, other states and interstate agencies, or any public or private institution located inside or outside the State of Mississippi, and with affected groups, political subdivisions, and industries in furtherance of carrying out the provisions of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and shall have the authority to enter into compacts with any other state or states for the purpose of achieving the objectives of such sections with respect to air and waters, or to authorize the executive director with the approval of the commission to exercise any of the aforementioned powers;

(d) To administer funds allocated to the state's water and air pollution abatement grant program, to accept and administer loans and grants from the federal government and from other sources, public or private, for carrying out any of its functions, which loans and grants shall not be expended for other than the purposes for which provided;

(e) To encourage, participate in, or conduct studies, investigations, research and demonstrations relating to air and water quality and pollution and causes, prevention, control and abatement as it may deem advisable and necessary for the discharge of its duties under Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 ; to make funds available from the water pollution abatement grant fund by means of advances to political subdivisions in this state in an amount not to exceed one percent (1%) of the estimated project cost as approved by and under such rules and regulations as adopted by the commission for the preparation of project planning reports and feasibility analyses; and to exercise such supervision as it may deem advisable and necessary for the discharge of its duties under Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 ;

(f) To require the repayment of funds made available to a political subdivision under subsection (e) above to the water pollution abatement grant fund prior to the receipt of any other funds by any political subdivision providing services to the area and receiving funds provided under Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 ; any funds made available to any political subdivisions providing services to the area and receiving funds under the provisions of said sections shall be repaid in the same manner as are other funds made available to the political subdivisions under the provisions of said sections;

(g) To collect and disseminate information relating to air and water quality and pollution and the prevention, control, supervision and abatement thereof;

(h) To adopt, modify or repeal and promulgate ambient air and water quality standards and emissions standards for the state under such conditions as the commission may prescribe for the prevention, control and abatement of pollution;

(i) To 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 Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 , and as the commission may deem necessary to prevent, control and abate existing or potential pollution;

(j) To issue, modify, or revoke orders (1) prohibiting, controlling or abating discharges of contaminants and wastes into the air and waters of the state; (2) requiring the construction of new disposal systems, or air-cleaning devices, or any parts thereof or the modification, extension or alteration of existing disposal systems, or air-cleaning devices, or any parts thereof, or the adoption of other remedial measures to prevent, control or abate air and water pollution; and (3) setting standards of air or water quality or evidencing any other determination by the commission under Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 ;

(k) To hold such hearings, to issue notices of hearing and subpoenas requiring the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such evidence, to administer oaths, and to take such testimony as the commission deems necessary;

(l) To require the prior submission of plans, specifications and other data relative to, and to inspect the construction of, disposal systems, or air-cleaning devices, or any part thereof, in connection with the issuance of such permits or approval as are required by Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 ;

(m) To require proper maintenance and operation of disposal systems, or air-cleaning devices; and to require the installation and operation of monitoring devices or methods as may be deemed necessary and the maintenance and submission of monitoring and operating records as may be prescribed;

(n) To exercise all incidental powers necessary to carry out the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 ; and

(o) To delegate in such manner as it sees fit the duties and powers relating to air and water quality and pollution control to the agency members presently engaged in the several fields of water or air control or pollution. In cases of difference of opinion between such agencies as to their respective field of operation, the commission shall delegate said responsibility to the proper agency, and the commission's action therein shall be final.

Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to grant to the commission any jurisdiction or authority to make any rule or regulation, recommendation or determination or to enter any order with respect to air conditions existing solely within the property boundaries of commercial and industrial plants, works, or shops or to affect the relations between employers and employees with respect to or arising out of any air condition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-201 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-201
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 49-15-207 , when any property is seized pursuant to Section 49-15-21 or 59-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972 , proceedings under this section shall be instituted promptly. The seizing law enforcement agency may, in the sound exercise of discretion, decide not to bring a forfeiture action if the interests of bona fide lien holders or secured creditors equal or exceed the value of the seized property, or if other factors would produce a negative economic result. No property shall be subject to forfeiture which has been stolen from its owner if the owner can be identified and prosecution for the theft has been initiated.

(2) A petition for forfeiture shall be filed promptly in the name of the State of Mississippi, the county or the municipality and may be filed in the county in which the seizure is made, the county in which the criminal prosecution is brought or the county in which the owner of the seized property is found. Forfeiture proceedings may be brought in the circuit court or the county court if a county court exists in the county and the value of the seized property is within the jurisdictional limits of the county court as set forth in Section 9-9-21, Mississippi Code of 1972 . A copy of such petition shall be served upon the following persons by service of process in the same manner as in civil cases:

(a) The owner of the property, if address is known;

(b) Any secured party who has registered his lien or filed a financing statement as provided by law, if the identity of such secured party can be ascertained by the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency by making a good faith effort to ascertain the identity of such secured party as described in subsections (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) of this section;

(c) Any other bona fide lien holder or secured party or other person holding an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest of whom the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency has actual knowledge; and

(d) Any person in possession of property subject to forfeiture at the time that it was seized.

(3) If the property is a motor vehicle susceptible of titling under the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Title Law and if there is any reasonable cause to believe that the vehicle has been titled, the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall make inquiry of the State Tax Commission as to what the records of the State Tax Commission show as to who is the record owner of the vehicle and who, if anyone, holds any lien or security interest which affects the vehicle.

(4) If the property is a motor vehicle and is not titled in the State of Mississippi, then the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall attempt to ascertain the name and address of the person in whose name the vehicle is licensed, and if the vehicle is licensed in a state which has in effect a certificate of title law, the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall make inquiry of the appropriate agency of that state as to what the records of the agency show as to who is the record owner of the vehicle and who, if anyone, holds any lien, security interest or other instrument in the nature of a security device which affects the vehicle.

(5) If the property is of a nature that a financing statement is required by the laws of this state to be filed to perfect a security interest affecting the property and if there is any reasonable cause to believe that a financing statement covering the security interest has been filed under the laws of this state, the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall make inquiry of the appropriate office designated in Section 75-9-501, Mississippi Code of 1972 , as to what the records show as to who is the record owner of the property and who, if anyone, has filed a financing statement affecting the property.

(6) If the property is an aircraft or part thereof and if there is any reasonable cause to believe that an instrument in the nature of a security device affects the property, then the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall make inquiry as to what the records of the Federal Aviation Administration show as to who is the record owner of the property and who, if anyone, holds an instrument in the nature of a security device which affects the property.

(7) In the case of all other personal property subject to forfeiture, if there is any reasonable cause to believe that an instrument in the nature of a security device affects the property, then the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall make a good faith inquiry to identify the holder of any such instrument.

(8) If the answer to an inquiry states that the record owner of the property is any person other than the person who was in possession of it when it was seized, or states that any person holds any lien, encumbrance, security interest, other interest in the nature of a security interest, mortgage or deed of trust which affects the property, the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall cause any record owner and also any lien holder, secured party, other person who holds an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest which affects the property to be named in the petition of forfeiture and to be served with process in the same manner as in civil cases.

(9) If the owner of the property cannot be found and served with a copy of the petition of forfeiture, or if no person was in possession of the property subject to forfeiture at the time that it was seized and the owner of the property is unknown, the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency shall file with the clerk of the court in which the proceeding is pending an affidavit to such effect, whereupon the clerk of the court shall publish notice of the hearing addressed to “the Unknown Owner of __________,” filling in the blank space with a reasonably detailed description of the property subject to forfeiture. Service by publication shall contain the other requisites prescribed in Section 11-33-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and shall be served as provided in Section 11-33-37, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for publication of notice for attachments at law.

(10) No proceedings instituted pursuant to the provisions of this section shall proceed to hearing unless the judge conducting the hearing is satisfied that this section has been complied with. Any answer received from an inquiry required by subsections (3) through (7) of this section shall be introduced into evidence at the hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 31-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19
Status: in_force

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

(2) In order to orient students and their families to the minimization of waste and to encourage the participation of schools, communities and families in waste minimization programs, the school board of each school district in the state shall provide a program of student instruction in the minimization of waste materials. The instruction shall be provided at both the elementary and secondary levels of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-33 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-33
Status: in_force

The hearings herein provided may be conducted by the commission itself at a regular or special meeting of the commission, or the commission may designate a hearing officer, who may be the executive director, who shall have the power and authority to conduct such hearings in the name of the commission at any time and place as conditions and circumstances may warrant. The hearing officer shall have the record prepared of any hearing which he has conducted for the commission. Such record shall be submitted to the commission along with that hearing officer's findings of fact and recommended decision. Upon receipt and review of the record of the hearing and the hearing officer's findings of fact and recommended decision, the commission shall thereupon render its final decision in the matter. Any person ordered to appear for an alleged violation shall have the right to request a hearing before a majority of the commission if he prefers and such a hearing may then be set for the next regular meeting of the full commission, or specially. A verbatim record of the proceedings of such hearings shall be taken and filed with the commission, together with findings of fact and conclusions of law made by the commission. Witnesses who are subpoenaed shall receive the same fees and mileage as in civil actions. In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a notice of hearing or subpoena issued under this section, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction, upon application of the commission or its representative, to issue an order requiring such person to appear and testify or produce evidence as the case may require and any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as contempt thereof. Failure to appear at any such hearing, without prior authorization to do so from the commission or its designee, may result in the commission finding the alleged violator guilty of the charges complained of by default, and at such time an order may be entered, including the assessment of a penalty, which, in the opinion of the commission, will best further the purposes of Section 17-17-1 et seq. , and Section 49-17-1 et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-503
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 is to provide for the accreditation of lead-based paint activities training programs, procedures and requirements for certification of persons engaged in lead-based paint activities and development and implementation of work practice standards for lead-based paint activities in target housing, child-occupied facilities and other facilities regulated under Section 402 of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. It is the intent of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 that the cost of the administration and enforcement of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 shall be borne fully by federal grants and fees for accreditation, certification, renovation projects and abatement projects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-221 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 49-15-46 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-46
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-46
Status: in_force

(1) Each vessel used to catch, take, carry or transport oysters from the reefs of the State of Mississippi, or engaged in transporting any oysters in any of the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi, for commercial use, shall annually, before beginning operations, be licensed by the department and pay the following license fee:

(a) Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on each in-state vessel or boat used for tonging oysters or gathering oysters by hand;

(b) One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) on each in-state vessel or boat used for dredging oysters;

(c) One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) on each out-of-state vessel or boat used for tonging oysters or gathering oysters by hand, or the license fee charged by the out-of-state licensing entity to Mississippi vessels or boats for tonging or gathering oysters, whichever is greater; or

(d) Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) on each out-of-state vessel or boat used for dredging oysters, or the license fee charged by the out-of-state licensing entity to Mississippi vessels or boats for dredging oysters, whichever is greater.

(2) Each molluscan shellfish aquaculture operation shall annually, before beginning operations, be licensed by the department and pay the following license fee:

(a) Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on each resident molluscan shellfish aquaculture operation; or

(b) One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) on each nonresident molluscan shellfish aquaculture operation.

(3) The department may authorize the transfer of a vessel license to a different vessel provided that the owner of both vessels is the same titled owner.

(4) All oysters harvested in the State of Mississippi shall be tagged. Tags may be issued by the department or printed by the catcher in compliance with procedures and regulations adopted by the department. Such tags shall bear the catcher's name, the date and origin of the catch, the shell stock dealer's name and permit number. The department shall number all tags issued and shall maintain a record of those tags. The department, in its discretion, may adopt any regulations regarding the tagging of oysters and other shellfish.

(5) Each person catching or taking oysters from the waters of the State of Mississippi for personal use shall obtain a permit from the department and pay an annual recreational oyster permit fee of Ten Dollars ($10.00). Oysters caught under a recreational permit shall not be offered for sale. The limits on the allowable catch of oysters for recreational purposes shall be three (3) sacks per week. The department shall issue tags of a distinguishing color to designate recreationally harvested oysters, which shall be tagged on the same day of harvest in the manner prescribed in subsection (4) of this section for commercially harvested oysters or by regulation of the department.

(6) The department shall assess and collect a shell retention fee for the shells taken from waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi as follows:

(a) Commercial and recreational harvesters--Fifteen Cents (15¢) per sack paid to the department on the day of harvest;

(b) Initial oyster processor, dealer or factory first purchasing the oysters--Fifteen Cents (15¢) per sack paid to the department no later than the tenth day of the month following the purchase, on forms submitted by the department;

(c) Commercial harvesters transporting their catch out of the state--Fifty Cents (50¢) per sack paid to the department on the day of harvest, in addition to the fees paid in paragraph (a) of this subsection; and

(d) Commercial harvesters not selling their oysters to a Mississippi dealer--Fifteen Cents (15¢) per sack paid to the department on the day of harvest, in addition to fees paid in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

Funds received from the shell retention fee shall be paid into the Oyster Production Preserve Account within the Seafood Fund pursuant to Section 49-15-17(1)(e) for use by the department to further oyster production in this state, which includes plantings of oysters and/or cultch materials.

(7) During open seasons, oysters may be taken only by hands, tongs and dredges.

(8) Vessels licensed under Section 49-15-46 may keep in whole, for personal consumption up to thirty-six (36) blue crabs (portunidae family), per day. This exemption for personal consumption does not apply to fish or crabs that are otherwise illegal to possess or catch.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-15
Status: in_force

The state forestry fund when made available by proper appropriation by the Legislature, shall be expended by the commission in carrying out and enforcing all laws pertaining to the protection of forests as the commission may direct, the vouchers to be drawn and paid as by other departments of the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 11-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-21
Status: in_force

Any native wild game found on shooting preserves or commercial wildlife enclosures may be harvested only in accordance with applicable game and hunting laws and regulations issued by the commission or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 35-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-1
Status: in_force

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-403 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-403
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-403
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 , the following shall have the meaning ascribed in this section:

(a) “ Active site ” means a site of an underground storage tank where an owner can be identified and where the tank is available for use in the management and handling of motor fuels, including tanks currently in service, tanks temporarily closed and tanks temporarily out of service.

(b) “ Bonded distributor ” means any person holding a distributor's permit issued under either Section 27-55-7 or Section 27-55-507 .

(c) “ Commission ” means the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.

(d) “ Contamination ” means the presence or discharge of regulated substances in or on the land or in the waters of the state.

(e) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

(f) “ Director ” means the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

(g) “ Groundwater ” means water located beneath the land surface located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the state.

(h) “ Motor fuels ” means gasoline and aviation gasoline as defined in Section 27-55-5 and special fuel as defined in Section 27-55-505 , except for those “motor fuels” used in electric power generating plants for the commercial production of electricity.

(i) “ Operator ” means any person in control of, or having responsibility for, the daily operation of an underground storage tank.

(j) “ Owner of an underground storage tank ” means:

(i) In the case of an underground storage tank in use on November 8, 1984, or brought into use after that date, any person who owns an underground storage tank used for the storage, use or dispensing of regulated substances; and

(ii) In the case of an underground storage tank in use before November 8, 1984, but no longer in use on that date, any person who owned such tank immediately before the discontinuation of its use.

(k) “ Person ” means an individual, trust, firm, joint-stock company, federal agency, corporation, state municipality, commission, political subdivision of a state, any interstate body, a consortium, a joint venture, a commercial entity or the United States government.

(l) “ Regulated substance ” means:

(i) Any substance defined in Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, Public Law No. 96-510 , as amended and extended (but not including any substance regulated as a hazardous waste under Section 17-17-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972); and

(ii) Petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, which is liquid at standard conditions of temperature and pressure (sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit and fourteen and seven-tenths (14- 7 / 10 ) pounds per square inch absolute).

(m) “ Release ” means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, leaching or disposing from an underground storage tank into groundwater, surface water or subsurface soils.

(n) “ Response action ” means any activity, including evaluation, planning, design, engineering, construction and ancillary services, which is carried out in response to any discharge, release or threatened release of motor fuels.

(o) “ Response action contractor ” means a person who has been approved by the commission and is carrying out any response action, including a person retained or hired by such person to provide services relating to a response action.

(p) “ Retailer ” means any person other than a bonded distributor who sells motor fuel as defined in this section.

(q) “ Substantial compliance ” means that an owner or operator of an underground storage tank has registered that tank with the department, and has made a good-faith effort to comply with the law; and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(r) “ Third-party claim ” means any civil action brought or asserted by any person against any owner of any underground storage tank for damages to person or property which damages are the direct result of a release of motor fuels from an underground storage tank.

(s) “ Underground storage tank ” means any one (1) or combination of containers including tanks, vessels, enclosures or structures together with appurtenances thereto used to contain an accumulation of regulated substances, and the volume of which, including the volume of the underground pipes connected thereto, is ten percent (10%) or more beneath the surface of the ground. Such term does not include any:

(i) Farm or residential tanks of one thousand one hundred (1,100) gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes;

(ii) Tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored;

(iii) Septic tanks;

(iv) Pipeline facilities (including gathering lines regulated under:

1. The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, Public Law No. 90-481 , 49 USCS 1671 - 1684 , as amended and extended,

2. The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, Public Law No. 96-129 , 49 USCS 2001 et seq., as amended and extended, or

3. An intrastate pipeline facility regulated under state laws comparable to the provisions of law in Clause 1 or 2 of this subparagraph);

(v) Surface impoundments, pits, ponds or lagoons;

(vi) Storm water or wastewater collection systems;

(vii) Flow-through process tanks;

(viii) Liquid traps or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operation;

(ix) Storage tanks situated in an underground area such as a basement, cellar, mine working, drift, shaft or tunnel if the storage tank is situated upon or above the surface of the floor;

(x) Other tanks exempted by the Administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency; and

(xi) Piping connected to any of the above exemptions.

(t) “ User ” means any person who purchases or acquires motor fuels as defined in this section for consumption.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-13
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not affect any right or remedy granted an owner under the United States or Mississippi Constitutions or the laws of the United States and the State of Mississippi. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preclude an owner from bringing a legal challenge and seeking remedies at law or equity arising out of any action of the State of Mississippi regardless of whether the action constituted a taking, an inverse condemnation, or resulted in a diminution in value of forty percent (40%) or less.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-735 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-735
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-735
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created and established a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi to be known as the “Hancock County Utility Authority.” The authority is composed of the geographic area of Hancock County as defined in Section 19-1-59, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water, wastewater and storm water systems in order to ensure the delivery of water, wastewater and storm water services to citizens residing within the boundaries of Hancock County.

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

(3) Upon consolidation, the following shall apply:

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

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

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

(d) All employees of the Southern Regional Wastewater Management District shall become employees of the authority. Nothing in this act shall affect the civil service status, if any, of those employees or their rights, privileges, obligations or status with respect to any pension or retirement system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 31-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) Establish and implement, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Finance and Administration, a source reduction program for materials, as determined by the Department of Environmental Quality, used in the course of agency operations. The program shall be designed and implemented to achieve the maximum feasible source reduction of waste as a result of agency operations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-21
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The licenses for hunting, trapping or fishing shall be issued on a form prepared by the executive director and supplied to the bonded agents authorized to issue licenses. The forms shall bear the name and social security number or driver's license number of the applicant. All annual licenses shall be valid for one (1) year after the date of its issuance. The licenses shall be issued in the name of the commission and be countersigned by the bonded agent issuing same.

(b) A person may purchase a license from the office of the department without appearing in person.

(c) The commission may design, establish, and administer a program to provide for the purchase, by electronic means, of any license, permit, registration or reservation issued by the commission or department.

(2) Any person authorized to issue licenses for hunting, trapping or fishing in this state who attempts to issue a license on a form other than one as prescribed by this section, or attempts to prepare a license certificate in any manner other than on the form prescribed by this section, and furnished by the executive director, is guilty of a Class II violation, and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and the person convicted shall be forever barred from issuing licenses in the State of Mississippi.

(3)(a) Any resident or nonresident who hunts, takes or traps any wild animal, bird or fish must possess a valid license issued by the commission, unless specifically exempted under this chapter.

(b) A resident who violates this subsection shall be fined Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). If at the hearing date or the date of payment of the fine the resident shows proof of the required Mississippi license, the fine shall be reduced to One Hundred Dollars ($100.00). If the resident shows proof that the required license was purchased before the date of the violation, the case shall be dismissed and all court costs shall be waived against the defendant.

(c) In addition to the penalty imposed in paragraph (b), any resident who is not able to show proof of the required Mississippi license, shall be assessed by the court an administrative fee as prescribed under subsection (6) of this section.

(4)(a) Any nonresident, who hunts or traps without the required license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in an amount not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the first offense and shall forfeit hunting and trapping privileges for a period of one (1) year. For the second offense a nonresident shall be fined in an amount of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than thirty (30) days, or both such fine and imprisonment and shall forfeit hunting and trapping privileges for a period of two (2) years. For any third or subsequent offense, a nonresident is guilty of a Class I violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(b) The nonresident shall also be assessed by the court an administrative fee as prescribed under subsection (6) of this section.

(c) Forfeiture of hunting, trapping and fishing privileges may be waived if, at the hearing date or the date of payment of the fine, the nonresident shows proof of the required nonresident hunting or trapping license.

(5) Any nonresident who fishes without the required license is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined in an amount not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) for the first offense. For the second or any subsequent offense a nonresident shall be fined in an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and that nonresident shall also be assessed by the court an administrative fee as prescribed under subsection (6) of this section.

(6) In addition to any other fines or penalties imposed under subsection (4) or (5) of this section, the person convicted shall be assessed by the court an administrative fee equal in amount to the cost of the hunting, trapping or fishing license fee that such person unlawfully failed to possess at the time of the violation, the amount of which license fee shall be entered upon the ticket or citation by the charging officer at the time the ticket or citation is issued. The clerk of the court in which the conviction takes place, promptly shall collect all administrative fees imposed under this subsection and deposit them monthly with the State Treasurer, in the same manner and in accordance with the same procedure, as nearly as practicable, as required for the collection, receipt and deposit of state assessments under Section 99-19-73 . However, all administrative fees collected under the provisions of this subsection shall be credited by the State Treasurer to the account of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and may be expended by the department upon appropriation by the Legislature.

(7) Any person who obtains a license under an assumed name or makes a materially false statement to obtain a license is guilty of a felony and shall be subject to a fine of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or may be imprisoned for a term not to exceed one (1) year, or both.

(8) At the time that a person is applying for or renewing his or her license, the department shall ask the person if he or she would like to register as a donor to make an anatomical gift in accordance with Section 41-39-139 . If the answer is yes, the department shall inform the prospective donor that his or her decision to be a donor cannot be revoked, changed or contested after his or her death by the donor's next of kin or by any other person, and shall ask the person if he or she desires information about the person's decision to be a donor to be sent to another person or persons. If the answer is yes, the department shall obtain the name and mailing address of the person or persons designated by the prospective donor, and the donor registry shall send the information about the prospective donor's decision to the designated person or persons as requested.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-70 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-70
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-70
Status: in_force

Before any political subdivision shall receive any loan, it shall have executed with the state tax commission a repayment agreement, a copy of which must also be filed with the bureau of pollution control of the department of natural resources, after which the bureau shall enter upon its minutes a certificate certifying that the waste disposal plant has been approved; a copy of which certificate shall be delivered to and filed with the Mississippi State Tax Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / 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. § 49-17-28 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-28
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-28
Status: in_force

(1) There is created a Permit Board for the purpose of issuing, reissuing, modifying, revoking or denying, under the conditions, limitations and exemptions prescribed in Section 49-17-29 : (a) permits to control or prevent the discharge of contaminants and wastes into the air and waters of the state; (b) permits required under the Solid Wastes Disposal Law of 1974 (Title 17, Chapter 17); (c) permits required under Sections 51-3-1 through 51-3-55 ; (d) water quality certifications required by Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act; and (e) all other permits within the jurisdiction of the Permit Board. The membership of the Permit Board shall be composed of the Chief of the Bureau of Environmental Health of the State Board of Health, or his designee; the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, or his designee; the Head of the Office of Land and Water Resources of the Department of Environmental Quality, or his designee; the Supervisor of the State Oil and Gas Board, or his designee; the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources, or his designee; the Head of the Office of Geology and Energy Resources of the Department of Environmental Quality, or his designee; the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, or his designee; a retired professional engineer knowledgeable in the engineering of water wells and water supply systems, to be appointed by the Governor for a term concurrent with that of the Governor and until his successor is appointed and qualified; and a retired water well contractor, to be appointed by the Governor for a term concurrent with that of the Governor and until his successor is appointed and qualified. The retired professional engineer and the retired water well contractor shall only vote on matters pertaining to the Office of Land and Water Resources.

(2) Members of the Permit Board who are officers and employees of the state shall receive no compensation for their services on the board, but other board members shall receive per diem compensation as provided in Section 25-3-69 . All board members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses, including mileage, incurred in the performance of their official duties as provided in Section 25-3-41 .

(3) In implementing the authority granted under this section for the Permit Board to act on water quality certifications required by Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, the Permit Board shall authorize the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to make decisions on issuance, reissuance, denial, modification and revocation of water quality certifications on projects which the department has received no written adverse comments. The Permit Board may authorize the executive director to make decisions on water quality certifications for other projects. A decision of the executive director made under this authority shall be a decision of the Permit Board and shall be subject to a formal hearing and an appeal as provided in Section 49-17-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 35-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds:

(a) There are properties in Mississippi, often referred to as “brownfields,” that are contaminated or are perceived to be contaminated by past activities, but are potential locations for redevelopment.

(b) Brownfields development and redevelopment is impaired by the potential liability associated with the actual or perceived risk of contamination.

(c) The safe development or redevelopment of brownfields will benefit the citizens of Mississippi in many ways, including improving the tax base of local governments and creating job opportunities for citizens in the vicinity of brownfields.

(d) The reduction of public health and environmental hazards on existing brownfield sites is essential to creating a better quality of life for the citizens of this state.

(e) This article will provide incentives for the voluntary cleanup of brownfield property without use of taxpayer funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-207 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-207
Status: in_force

The commission shall serve as administrator of the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , and shall serve as the disbursing agency for funds to be expended from and deposited to the credit of the forest development fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-12.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-12.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-12.1
Status: in_force

(1) Nonresident wholesale dealers who buy nongame gross fish in the state for the purpose of resale shall obtain a nonresident commercial fishing license.

(2) Any nonresident who imports nongame gross fish into the state for the purpose of resale to a wholesale or retail dealer or to a consumer shall obtain a nonresident commercial fishing license.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-15-65 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-65
Status: in_force

The justice courts of the respective counties or county courts shall have original jurisdiction of any prosecution or suit brought under authority of this chapter, or of any violation of any ordinance duly enacted by the commission. However, from each decision or judgment, whether from a fine or imprisonment, there shall be allowed an appeal, and such appeals and trials shall be had as now provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-309 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-309
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-309
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(5) The department is hereby directed to present all state record holders with a certification of achievement in marine recreational fishing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-87 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-87
Status: in_force

(1) A political subdivision which receives a loan from the revolving fund or emergency fund is required to and authorized to pledge for the repayment of such loan (a) any part of the sales tax reimbursement to which it may be entitled under Section 27-65-75 , and (b) any part of the homestead exemption annual tax loss reimbursement to which it may be entitled under Section 27-33-77 , to meet a repayment schedule set forth in a loan agreement. The loan agreement shall provide for (i) monthly payments, (ii) semiannual payments or (iii) other periodic payments, the annual total of which shall not exceed the annual total for any other year of the loan by more than fifteen percent (15%). The loan agreement shall provide for the repayment of all funds received from the revolving fund within the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion and repayment of all funds received from the emergency fund within not more than ten (10) years from the date of project completion. The Department of Revenue shall pay to the revolving fund or emergency fund monthly, or as often as is practicable, from the amount, which would otherwise be remitted to a political subdivision from its sales tax reimbursement or homestead exemption annual tax loss reimbursement, the amounts set forth in such loan agreement.

(2) Before any political subdivision shall receive any loan from the revolving fund or the emergency fund, it shall have executed with the Department of Revenue and the commission a loan agreement evidencing that loan. The loan agreement hereinabove provided for shall not be construed to prohibit any recipient from prepaying any part or all of the funds received.

(3) As determined by the commission, any political subdivision desiring to construct a project approved by the department and which receives a loan from the state for that purpose may be required to pledge as security for the repayment of that loan, all or any part of the revenues of any project constructed, improved, repaired, replaced, purchased or refinanced with the proceeds of such loan. Whenever any project is a part of a system or combined system, then all or any portion of the revenues of that system or combined system may be pledged to secure repayment of a loan as determined by the commission.

The loan agreement shall provide for periodic payments, the annual total of which shall not exceed the annual total for any other year of the loan by more than fifteen percent (15%). The repayment schedule shall provide for the repayment of all funds received from the revolving fund within the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion and repayment of all funds received from the emergency fund within not more than ten (10) years from the date of project completion. Payments under the loan agreement shall be made prior to the payments of principal or interest on any bonds issued by the political subdivision in connection with the project or projects to which loans from the revolving fund or emergency fund are made.

The State Auditor, upon the request of the commission, shall audit the receipts and expenditures of each district whose monthly payments are to be received by the department, and if the State Auditor should find the political subdivision in arrears, the Auditor shall immediately begin withholding from funds due the taxing district in which the political subdivision is located, under Section 27-33-41 , an amount equal to the payment due plus accrued interest, late charges and expenses incurred in the audit and issue a warrant for that amount to the revolving fund or emergency fund as directed below.

The loan agreement hereinabove provided for shall not be construed to prohibit any recipient from prepaying any part or all of the funds received.

(4) Loans or any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness which are incurred or issued either pursuant to this chapter or Section 31-25-1 et seq. , in relation to this chapter, or pursuant to any other law as evidence of any loan made or indebtedness incurred pursuant to this chapter, shall not be deemed indebtedness within the meaning specified in Section 21-33-303 , with regard to cities or incorporated towns, in Section 19-9-5 , with regard to counties, and in any other state law establishing a similar indebtedness limitation with regard to political subdivisions other than cities, incorporated towns and counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 28-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-45
Status: in_force

Any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be submitted for validation under the provisions of Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-101
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(6) Any person transporting, shipping, or carrying quail or any other game bird within, or from within to a point without this state, without first having secured permission from the executive director to so do, shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 49-1-1 et seq. , be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-94 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-94
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-94
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person to use a purse seine to catch mullet during the roe mullet season. A violation of this subsection is punishable by the penalties provided in Section 49-15-100(2) for the unlawful use of gill or trammel nets.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-21
Status: in_force

All moneys received from the United States government for protection of forest lands, for reforestation of denuded areas, for extension of national forests, and to promote the continuous production of timber shall be credited to said state forestry fund, and expended by the commission as is directed by the federal government.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 28-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-45
Status: in_force

Any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be submitted for validation under the provisions of Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-407 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-407
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-407
Status: in_force

(1)(a) An environmental protection fee of Four-tenths of One Cent ( 4 / 10 of 1¢) per gallon is hereby levied upon any bonded distributor, as defined by Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 , who sells or delivers motor fuels to a retailer or user in this state.

(b) Every person, other than a bonded distributor, who shall purchase or acquire motor fuels within this state on which the environmental protection fee has not accrued, shall be liable for the environmental protection fee.

(c) The environmental protection fee shall be imposed only one (1) time on motor fuels sold in the state.

(d) The environmental protection fee shall be collected by the Department of Revenue and shall be designated separately from the excise taxes on fuels.

(e) Any person liable for the environmental protection fee shall be subject to the same requirements and penalties as distributors under the provisions of the Mississippi Special Fuel Tax Law.

(f) Any person liable for the environmental protection fee shall file a report and remit any fees due at the same time provided for filing reports under Section 27-55-523 , on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue.

(g) The Department of Revenue is hereby authorized and empowered to promulgate all rules and regulations necessary for the administration of the environmental protection fee.

(2)(a) On or before the fifteenth day of each month the environmental protection fees collected during the previous month shall be deposited into the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund established in Section 49-17-405 . When the unobligated balance in the fund reaches or exceeds Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00), the administrator of the fund shall notify in writing the Department of Revenue no later than the twenty-fifth day of the month to revise the distribution of the environmental protection fee and the Department of Revenue shall deposit the fee into the State Highway Fund. Such distribution shall become effective on the last day of the month succeeding the month in which such notice was given. All environmental protection fees accrued shall be reported and paid.

(b) When the fund balance is reduced below Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00), the fee shall again be deposited into the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund until such time as the fund shall reach or exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00). The administrator of the fund shall notify, no later than the twenty-fifth day of the month, the Department of Revenue to deposit the environmental protection fee into the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund and such distribution shall become effective on the first day of the second month succeeding the month in which the notice to deposit the fee into the fund was given.

(3) This fund shall be used for the purposes set forth in Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 and for no other governmental purposes, nor shall any portion hereof ever be available to borrow from by any branch of government; it being the intent of the Legislature that this fund and its increments shall remain intact and inviolate. Any interest earned on monies in this fund shall remain in this fund.

(4) Monies held in the fund established under Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall be used for supplemental funding of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program as described in Section 49-17-405 and only at an active site and shall be disbursed in accordance with the commission requirements and as follows:

(a) Payments shall be made to any third party who brings a third-party claim against any owner of an underground storage tank and the commission as trustee of the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund and who obtains a final judgment in such action which is valid and enforceable in this state against such parties. Payment shall be paid to the third party upon filing by such party an application with the department attaching the original or a certified copy of the final judgment.

(b) Payments shall be made in reasonable amounts to approved response action contractors and other parties involved in the site study and cleanup. Payment shall be made to the party incurring the costs by filing of a sworn application with the department indicating the fair and reasonable value of the costs of site rehabilitation, subject to the regulations and limitations as set by the department.

(5) Payments from the fund are limited as follows:

(a) For cleanup purposes, a maximum of One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) may be disbursed from the fund for any one (1) site, per confirmed release occurrence.

(b) For third-party judgments, a maximum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) may be disbursed from the fund for any one (1) site, per confirmed release occurrence.

(c) Nothing in Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall establish or create any liability or responsibility on the part of the department or the State of Mississippi to pay any cleanup costs or third-party claims if the fund created herein is insufficient to do so.

(6) Monies held in the fund established under Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall not be used for purchases of equipment needed to assist in cleanup operations.

(7) Nothing in Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall serve to limit any recovery against an owner of an underground storage tank in excess of the fund payment limits established under this section.

(8) Substantial compliance shall in no way be construed to be an absolute defense to civil liability.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-43
Status: in_force

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

Any person violating any of the rules so promulgated by the executive director, or who shall hunt or fish upon such lands at any time, other than those times specified by the executive director, shall, upon conviction therefor be fined not less than Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) nor more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), or imprisoned for not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days for each and every offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-531 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-531
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-531
Status: in_force

The commission may establish requirements for reciprocity for accreditation and certification of risk assessors, project designers, supervisors, renovators, dust sampling technicans 1 , inspectors and workers with other states that have established accreditation and certification programs that meet or exceed the requirements established by the commission for accreditation and certification in this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42
Status: in_force

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

(2) The driver of any vehicle used in the transporting of oysters in the shell from outside the territorial limits of the State of Mississippi, whether the vehicle is a boat or motor vehicle, shall possess an invoice, statement or other bill of lading which bears the name of the person, firm or corporation from whom the oysters were purchased, the name of the purchaser and the number of barrels or bushels of oysters which the vehicle or vessel contains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-405 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 49-13-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-17
Status: in_force

In case of the resale or disposition of quail carcasses originally purchased or received from a licensed quail producer and in turn sold or donated by another person, a record of each subsequent change of ownership must be made. The following information must be recorded by the present owner about the owner who receives the quail: name and address of the person or business to which the quail carcasses were transferred, the date of the transfer and the kind and number of quail transferred. The record of the quail transfer of ownership must be kept by the person or business selling or donating the quail for a period of one (1) year following the ownership transfer and shall, upon request, be available for inspection by a representative of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-9
Status: in_force

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

(2) If the commission determines that the activity, area or entity is exempt or requires no permit, and that the activity, area or entity complies with the notification requirement and the coastal wetland policy as required under Section 49-27-7 , the commission may reduce the application fee by fifty percent (50%).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-28-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 28-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-37
Status: in_force

If the owners of a majority of the front footage of the property to be assessed under the front foot rule, or if the owners of a majority of the area of the property to be assessed under the area rule, as described in Section 49-28-35 , file a written protest objecting to the assessments authorized under this chapter, then the board of commissioners shall not proceed with the special assessment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-21
Status: in_force

(1) The executive director shall appoint the necessary enforcement officers for the administration of this chapter. The salary of all enforcement officers employed shall be as determined by the State Personnel Board. However, the members of the Enforcement Officers' Reserve Unit created in subsection (4) shall serve without pay, and shall not be employees of the State of Mississippi for purposes of the State Personnel System, the Workers' Compensation Law, the Public Employees' Retirement System or the State Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan.

(2) All enforcement officers shall be experienced and qualified persons thoroughly familiar with the seafood business and shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and be a high school graduate or its equivalent. The enforcement officers shall diligently enforce all laws and regulations for the protection, propagation, preservation or conservation of all saltwater aquatic life of the State of Mississippi, and they are hereby constituted peace officers of the State of Mississippi, with full police power and jurisdiction to enforce all laws of the State of Mississippi, inclusive of all federal laws within the jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi and waters and resources under management of the state, and all regulations adopted and promulgated by the department. Enforcement officers may exercise such powers in any county of the State of Mississippi and on any waters of the state, and they are hereby authorized to carry firearms or other weapons, concealed or otherwise, and they shall investigate all persons, corporations and otherwise who are alleged to have violated any laws, and make affidavits, arrests and serve papers of any court of competent jurisdiction, in like manner as is provided for sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, when the same shall be in connection with the enforcement of the seafood laws of the State of Mississippi and such other laws and regulations of this state as the department may designate. The enforcement officers may seize at any time aquatic life caught, taken or transported in a manner contrary to the laws of this state, and may confiscate and dispose of the same. Any net or other paraphernalia used or employed in connection with a violation may be seized, and forfeiture proceedings may be instituted. Enforcement officers may draft the aid of captains, crews and boats or licensed vessels to enforce this chapter and may, without warrant, board and search vessels or vehicles. The application for any license or permit from the department to catch, fish, take, transport or handle or process any form of aquatic life, or the taking, catching, transporting or handling or processing of any and all aquatic life in this state shall constitute acquiescence and agreement upon the part of the owners, captains and crews, employers and dealers to the provisions of this chapter and the agreement that enforcement officers may exercise the authority granted under the provisions hereof.

(3) Prior to entering into performance of their duties or delegations or as soon after appointment as possible, each enforcement officer, at the expense of the department, shall attend and complete an appropriate curriculum in the field of law enforcement at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy or other law enforcement training program approved under Section 45-6-7 . However, members of the Enforcement Officers' Reserve Unit created in subsection (4) of this section may attend the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy at the expense of the department if it deems the training necessary or desirable. No enforcement officer shall be entitled to payment of salary after the first twelve (12) months in office if he has either failed to attend the academy or has failed to comply with other qualifications or successfully complete any law enforcement qualification examinations as the director deems necessary. The enforcement officers shall, on a periodic basis, be required to attend additional advanced courses in law enforcement in order that they will be properly improved and trained in the modern, technical advances of law enforcement.

(4)(a) There is hereby created an Enforcement Officers' Reserve Unit, hereinafter termed “the reserve,” to assist the enforcement officers in the performance of their duties under this chapter. The reserve shall consist of volunteers who are approved by the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources or his designee. The members of the reserve shall serve without pay. Reserve officers shall be in such numbers as determined by the enforcement needs, with the maximum strength of reserve officers limited to the same number as enforcement officers.

(b) To be eligible for membership in the reserve, an applicant must be twenty-one (21) years of age, be a high school graduate or its equivalent, be in good physical condition, have a Mississippi driver's license, be in good standing with the community, be available for training and duty, not be a member of any police, auxiliary police, civil defense, or private security agency, have never been convicted of a felony, and have one (1) of the following:

(i) An honorable discharge or honorable separation certificate from one (1) of the United States military services;

(ii) Three (3) years of responsible post-high school work experience that required the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups of persons;

(iii) Successful completion of sixty (60) semester hours at an accredited college or university; or

(iv) The qualifications as are outlined in this section for enforcement officers.

Members of the immediate family of enforcement officers shall not be eligible for the reserve unless a special waiver is granted.

Upon acceptance into the reserve, members shall receive a temporary appointment for one (1) year. During this year of temporary status, members must successfully complete the required training and must qualify on the same firearms course as enforcement officers.

(c) The reserve shall be under the leadership and direction of the executive director or his designee. The training of the reserve shall be conducted by an enforcement officer. The reserve shall meet at least once each month for the purpose of training and transacting any business as may come before it. The executive director shall be notified in writing of all meetings of the reserve and the time and place of the meetings shall be recorded with the executive director. The executive director shall prepare a reserve officer's manual with the advice and consent of the department. The manual shall include, but is not limited to, the following: activities and operations, training, administration and duties. During active service, the reserve shall be under the direction of the executive director or his designated representative. When a reserve officer is on active duty and assigned to a specific enforcement officer, he shall be under the direct supervision of that officer. Reserve officers serve at the discretion of the executive director and may be dismissed by him. Reserve officers shall furnish their own uniforms and other personal equipment if the executive director does not provide such items.

(d) The executive director may require members of the Enforcement Officers' Reserve Unit to attend officer reserve training programs conducted by county or municipal agencies.

(e) The executive director may issue uniforms to such reserve officers and may authorize the issuance of any state equipment necessary for the reserve officers to adequately assist law enforcement officers. The executive director may develop a reserve officer identification system to accomplish the issuance of such items in accordance with the State Auditor guidelines.

(f) If the executive director determines that a member of the Enforcement Officers' Reserve Unit may attend a training program as authorized under this section, it shall require that reserve officer to sign an agreement, prior to attending a training program, which shall stipulate that if the reserve officer accepts employment from any other public or private law enforcement agency within three (3) years after completion of his training program, the reserve officer or the respective hiring law enforcement agency shall reimburse the department for the total cost of his training program. By October 1 of each year, the department shall provide the Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Ports and Marine Resources Committee of the Mississippi Senate a listing which contains each name and the respective cost of training each reserve officer received during the previous year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 8-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-11
Status: in_force

The department shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To issue or deny permits required by law or regulation;

(b) To inspect and determine if the facilities, conditions and standards prescribed by law and regulation are sufficient for the safety of the public;

(c) To place conditions on a permit to ensure compliance; and

(d) To seize any wild animal possessed in violation of this chapter or regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-119 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-119
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(5) Monies remaining in the revolving fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on the revolving fund shall be deposited to the credit of the revolving fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-37
Status: in_force

(1) Bioenergy produced from biomass is considered renewable and carbon neutral. When the bioenergy produced from biomass is paired with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, the bioenergy is carbon negative.

(2) Bioenergy produced from agricultural harvesting is considered renewable and carbon neutral. When the bioenergy produced from agricultural harvesting is paired with bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, the bioenergy is carbon negative.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-755 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-755
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-755
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(11) The county authority has the discretion to advance or borrow funds needed to satisfy any short-term cash flow demands or deficiencies or to cover start-up costs until such time as sufficient bonds, assets and revenues have been secured to satisfy the needs of the county authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 27-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-45
Status: in_force

If, upon hearing such appeal, it appears to the court that any testimony has been improperly excluded by the commission or that the facts disclosed by the record are insufficient for the equitable disposition of the appeal, it shall refer the case back to the commission to take such evidence as it may direct and report the same to the court with the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-63 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-63
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions of this chapter or any ordinance duly adopted by the department, unless otherwise specifically provided for herein, shall, on conviction, be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), for the first offense, unless the first offense is committed during a closed season, in which case the fine shall be not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00); and not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), for the second offense when such offense is committed within a period of three (3) years from the first offense; and not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00), or imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days for any third or subsequent offense when such offense is committed within a period of three (3) years from the first offense.

(b) In addition, upon conviction of such third or subsequent offense, it shall be the duty of the court to revoke the license of the convicted party and of the boat or vessel used in such offense, and no further license shall be issued to such person and for said boat to engage in catching or taking of any seafoods from the waters of the State of Mississippi for a period of one (1) year following such conviction. Forfeiture of any equipment or nets used in a second or subsequent offense may be instituted pursuant to Sections 49-15-201 through 49-15-207 . If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated. Equipment as used in this section shall not mean boats or vessels.

(c) Any person convicted and sentenced under this section for a second or subsequent offense shall not be considered for reduction of sentence.

(d) Except as provided under subsection (5) of Section 49-15-45 , any fines collected under this section shall be paid into the Seafood Fund.

(e) In addition to any other penalties, the department may suspend the license of any person convicted of a violation of this chapter and may suspend the license of any vessel used in the violation for a period not to exceed five (5) days for the first offense. For a second offense, the department may suspend the license of such person and vessel for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

(f) Upon conviction of five (5) seafood violations within a five-year period, the department may revoke the license of the convicted party and the boat or vessel used in the offenses, and may prohibit indefinitely the issuance of a license to the person and boat or vessel to engage in catching or taking of any seafood from the waters of the State of Mississippi. The department shall exercise this authority in accordance with the administrative procedures in Section 49-15-401 et seq.

(2) For any violation of this chapter, the individual registered as the captain shall be subject to the penalties provided in this chapter, if that individual is aboard the vessel. If that individual is not aboard the vessel, the individual designated as the alternate captain under Section 49-15-46 or substitute captain under Section 49-15-64.5 shall be subject to the penalties provided in this chapter. If no individual is designated under Section 49-15-46 or Section 49-15-64.5 , the person, firm or corporation owning the vessel shall be subject to the penalties provided for boat captains.

(3) All citations issued to boat operators for not possessing the boat's registration card shall be dismissed, along with all related court costs, upon the presentment of the boat's proper registration card to the court or magistrate holding the trial or hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 28-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-39
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of any district created under this chapter shall have the authority to enter into cooperative agreements with the state or federal government, or both, to obtain financial assistance in the form of loans or grants as may be available from the state or federal government, or both. The board of commissioners may execute and deliver at private sale notes or bonds as evidence of the indebtedness in the form and subject to the terms and conditions as may be imposed by the state or federal government, or both. The board of commissioners may pledge the income and revenues of the district, or the income and revenues from any part of the area embraced in the district, in payment thereof. The district may do all things necessary to secure the financial aid or cooperation of the state or federal government, or both, in the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance or improvement of projects of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 49-3-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-3-5
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and directed to establish a fisheries and wildlife laboratory at Mississippi State University under the direction of the president and such other administrative authorities within the university as such board of trustees may determine.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-15-207 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-207
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-207
Status: in_force

(1) When any property the value of which does not exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), is seized pursuant to Section 49-15-21 or 59-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972 , the property may be forfeited by the administrative forfeiture procedures provided for in this section.

(2) The attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall provide notice of intention to forfeit the seized property administratively, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to all persons who are required to be notified pursuant to Section 49-15-201(2) .

(3) If the notice of intention to forfeit the seized property administratively cannot be given as provided in subsection (2) of this section because of refusal, failure to claim, insufficient address or any other reason, the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall provide notice by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the seizure occurred for once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks.

(4) Notice pursuant to subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall include the following information:

(a) A description of the property;

(b) The approximate value of the property;

(c) The date and place of the seizure;

(d) The connection between the property and the violation of the laws under the jurisdiction of the Department of Marine Resources;

(e) The instructions for filing a request for judicial review; and

(f) A statement that the property will be forfeited to the seizing law enforcement agency if a request for judicial review is not timely filed.

(5) Persons claiming an interest in the seized property may initiate judicial review of the seizure and proposed forfeiture by filing a request for judicial review with the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency, within thirty (30) days after receipt of the certified letter or within thirty (30) days after the first publication of notice, whichever is applicable.

(6) If no request for judicial review is timely filed, the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall prepare a written declaration of forfeiture of the subject property and the forfeited property shall be used, distributed or disposed of in accordance with the provisions of Section 49-15-205 .

(7) Upon receipt of a timely request for judicial review, the attorney for the seizing law enforcement agency shall promptly file a petition for forfeiture and proceed as provided in Section 49-15-201 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-58
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58
Status: in_force

(1)(a) In addition to the ban on importing white-tailed deer under Section 49-7-54 , there is hereby imposed a temporary moratorium on the importation of elk, red deer, mule deer, black-tailed deer and other cervids designated as susceptible to chronic wasting disease by the State Veterinarian and crosses of any such animals into the State of Mississippi. The moratorium on importing such animals shall end upon the adoption of chronic wasting disease regulations by the United States Department of Agriculture.

(b) Any person who possesses, buys, imports or transports any cervid that has been imported in the state in violation of the moratorium shall be subject to a Class I penalty under Section 49-7-141 . Any person that imports any exotic animal into the state in violation of entry requirements or regulations of the Board of Animal Health or the Department of Wildlife shall be subject to a Class I penalty under Section 49-7-141 . A second or subsequent violation under this section shall be punished by the maximum fine under Section 49-7-141 . The agency issuing a permit for cervids or exotic animals within an enclosure shall revoke the permit of any person found in violation of the moratorium. If any cervid in an enclosure tests positive for chronic wasting disease or if any cervids within the enclosure have been imported from an area diagnosed with chronic wasting disease, then all cervids in the enclosure shall be deemed a threat to native wildlife and to public health and may be killed and disposed of by the state.

(2) It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, the Board of Animal Health, the State Veterinarian, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to consult and coordinate efforts on matters related to chronic wasting disease, the prevention of the introduction of chronic wasting disease in the state and to ensure the health and safety of the public and wildlife.

(3) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall have plenary authority in matters related to the importation of white-tailed deer, white-tailed deer in enclosures, and prevention of the introduction of chronic wasting disease into the native wildlife population.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-14 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-14
Status: in_force

(1) “ Title V program ” means, as used in Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-45 , the air operating permit program mandated in Title V of the 1990 amendments to the federal Clean Air Act, codified in 42 USCS Section 7661, et seq.

(2) There is created in the State Treasury a fund to be designated as the “Air Operating Permit Program Fee Trust Fund,” referred to hereinafter as the “fund.”

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

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

(5) To facilitate the proper administration of the fund, the commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of the fund.

(6) The commission shall expend or utilize monies in the fund by an annual appropriation approved by the Legislature to pay all reasonable direct and indirect costs associated with the development and administration of the Title V program including, but not limited to, the reasonable costs of the following activities as they relate to the Title V program:

(a) Preparing generally applicable regulations or guidance regarding the permit program or its implementation or enforcement;

(b) Reviewing and acting on any application for a permit, permit modification or permit renewal, including the development of an applicable requirement as part of the processing of a permit, or permit modification or renewal;

(c) Administering the permit program, including the supporting and tracking of permit applications, compliance certification, and related data entry;

(d) Implementing and enforcing the terms of any Title V permit (not including any court costs or other costs associated with an enforcement action), including adequate resources to determine which sources are subject to the program;

(e) Emissions and ambient monitoring;

(f) Modeling, analyses, or demonstrations;

(g) Preparing inventories and tracking emissions;

(h) Providing direct and indirect support to sources under the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program under Section 507 of the federal Clean Air Act in determining and meeting their obligations under this section; and

(i) Providing funding to the Advisory Council created in Section 49-17-16 in an amount reasonably sufficient to meet the Advisory Council's obligations under Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-45 .

(7) 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. If the fund balance at the end of the fiscal year exceeds thirty-three percent (33%) of the projected annual costs of administering the program, the assessment rates may be adjusted to reduce the future projected fund balance. If necessary, the assessment rates shall be adjusted during the setting of the next fee schedule.

(8) At no time shall a fee be assessed that results in a projected ending fund balance of more than the current annual cost of administering the Title V program.

(9) No such fees shall be utilized by the Department of Environmental Quality or any other person for any purpose or purposes other than those purposes required by Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-45 , as they relate to the Title V program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-49 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 27-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-49
Status: in_force

Appeals may be taken from the chancery court to the Supreme Court in the manner as now required by law, except that if a supersedeas is desired by the party appealing from the chancery court, he may apply therefor to the chancellor thereof, who shall award a writ of supersedeas without additional bond if, in his judgment, material damage is not likely to result thereby, but otherwise he shall require such supersedeas bond as he deems proper which shall be liable to the state or applicant for such damage.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-27-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 27-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-43
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of an appeal, the clerk of the chancery court shall serve notice thereof upon the commission, whereupon the commission shall within sixty (60) days, or within such additional time as the court may for cause allow, from the service of such notice certify to the chancery court the record in the case, which record shall include a transcript of all testimony, all objections, all exhibits or copies thereof, all pleadings, proceedings, orders, findings and opinions entered in the case; provided, however, that the parties and the commission may stipulate that only a specified portion of the record shall be certified to the court as the record on appeal.