Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-71
Status: in_force

The governor, on behalf of this state, is hereby authorized to execute a compact, in substantially the following form, with any one or more of the States of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and the legislature hereby signifies in advance its approval and ratification of such compact:

Article I

The purpose of this compact is to promote effective control and reduction of pollution in the waters of the Tennessee River Basin through increased co-operation of the states of the basin, co-ordination of pollution control activities and programs in the basin, and the establishment of a joint interstate commission to assist in these efforts.

Article II

The party states hereby create the “Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control Commission,” hereinafter referred to as the “commission,” which shall be an agency of each party state with the powers and duties set forth herein, and such others as shall be conferred upon it by the party states or by the Congress of the United States concurred in by the party states.

Article III

A. The party states hereby create the “Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control District,” hereinafter called the “district,” which consists of the area drained by the Tennessee River and its tributaries.

B. From time to time the commission may conduct surveys of the basin, study the pollution problems of the basin, and make comprehensive reports concerning the prevention or reduction of water pollution therein. The commission may draft and recommend to the parties hereto suggested legislation dealing with the pollution of waters within the basin or any portion thereof. Upon request of a state water pollution control agency, and in a manner agreed upon by such agency and the commission, the commission shall render advice concerning the various governments, communities, municipalities, persons, corporations or other entities with regard to particular problems connected with the pollution of waters. The commission shall present to the appropriate officials of any government or agency thereof its recommendations relating to enactments to be made by any legislature in furthering the intents and purposes of this article. The commission, upon request of a member state or upon its own instance may, after proper study, and after conducting public hearings, recommend minimum standards of water quality to be followed in the several areas of the district.

Article IV

The commission shall consist of three (3) commissioners from each state, each of whom shall be a resident voter of such state. The commissioners shall be chosen in the manner and for the terms provided by the laws of the state from which they are appointed, and each commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he is appointed.

Article V

A. The commission shall elect annually from its members a chairman and a vice-chairman to serve at its pleasure. It shall adopt a seal and suitable by-laws for its management and control. The commission is hereby authorized to adopt, prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations for administering and enforcing all provisions of this compact. It may maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business. Meetings shall be held at least once each year. It may determine duties, qualifications and compensation for and appoint such employees and consultants as may be necessary and remove or replace them.

B. The commission shall not compensate the commissioners for their services but shall pay their actual expenses incurred in and incidental to the performance of their duties.

C. The commission may acquire, by gift or otherwise, and may hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be appropriate to the performance of its functions. In the event of sale of real property, proceeds may be distributed among the several party states, each state's share being computed in a ratio to its contributions; and in the event of dissolution of the commission, the property and assets shall be disposed of and proceeds distributed in a like manner.

D. Each commissioner shall have one vote. One or more commissioners from a majority of the party states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but no action of the commission imposing any obligation on any party state or any municipality, person, corporation or other entity therein shall be binding unless a majority of all of the members from such party state shall have voted in favor thereof. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements, and shall submit to the governor and the legislature of each party state an annual report concerning its activities, and shall make recommendations for any legislative, executive or administrative action deemed advisable.

E. The commission shall at the proper time submit to the governor of each party state for his approval an estimate of its proposed expenditures. The commission shall subsequently adopt a budget and submit appropriation requests to the party states in accordance with the laws and procedures of such states.

F. The commission shall not pledge the credit of any of the party states. The Commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it, from gifts, grants, appropriations or otherwise, provided that the commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to the incurring of any obligation to be met in whole or in part in this manner. Except where the commission makes use of funds already available to it, the commission shall not incur any obligations prior to the making of appropriations adequate to meet the same.

G. The accounts of the commission shall be open at any reasonable time to the inspection of such representatives of the respective party states as may be duly constituted for that purpose. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become a part of the annual report of the commission. The commission shall appoint an executive director. The commission shall also appoint a treasurer who may be a member of the commission. The executive director shall be custodian of the records of the commission with authority to attest to and certify such records and copies thereof under the seal of the commission. The commission shall require bonds of its executive director and treasurer in the amount of at least twenty-five per cent (25%) of the annual budget of the commission.

Article VI

Each of the commission's budgets of estimated expenditures shall contain specific recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated by each of the party states. In determining these amounts, the commission shall prorate one half ( 1 / 2 ) of its budget among the several states in proportion to their land area within the district, and shall prorate the other half among the several states in proportion to their population within the district at the last preceding federal census.

Article VII

A. It is recognized, owing to such variable factors as location, size, character and flow and the many varied uses of the waters subject to the terms of this compact, that no single standard of sewage and waste treatment and no single standard of quality of receiving waters is practical and that the degree of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes should take into account the classification of the receiving waters according to present and proposed highest use, such as for drinking water supply, industrial and agricultural uses, bathing and other recreational purposes, maintenance and propagation of fish life, navigation and disposal of wastes.

B. The commission may establish reasonable physical, chemical and bacteriological standards of water quality satisfactory for various classifications of use. It is agreed that each of the signatory states through appropriate agencies will prepare a classification of its interstate waters in the district in entirety or by portions according to present and proposed highest use, and for this purpose technical experts employed by appropriate state water pollution control agencies are authorized to confer on questions relating to classification of interstate waters affecting two or more states. Each signatory state agrees to submit its classification of its interstate waters to the commission for approval. It is agreed that after such approval, all signatory states through their appropriate state water pollution control agencies will work to establish programs of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes which will meet standards established by the commission for classified waters. The commission may from time to time make such changes in definitions of classifications and in standards as may be required by changed conditions or as may be necessary for uniformity and in a manner similar to that in which these standards and classifications were originally established.

Article VIII

A. A state pollution control agency of any party state may certify to the commission an alleged violation of the commission's standards of quality of water entering said state. Upon such certification the commission may call a hearing at which the appropriate state pollution agencies shall be represented. If the commission finds a violation has occurred, is occurring or is likely to recur, it shall make recommendations as to the manner of abatement of the pollution to the appropriate water pollution control agency of the party state within which the violation has occurred, is occurring or is likely to recur. In the event that commission recommendations made pursuant to the preceding provisions of this article do not result in compliance within a reasonable time, the commission may, after such further investigation if any as is deemed necessary and proper and after a hearing held in the state where a violation occurs or has occurred, issue an order or orders upon any municipality, person, corporation or other entity within said party state violating provisions of this compact by discharging sewage or industrial wastes into the waters of the district which flow through, into or border upon any party state. Such order or orders may prescribe the date on or before which such discharge shall be wholly or partially discontinued, modified or treated or otherwise disposed of. The commission shall give reasonable and proper notice in writing of the time and place of the hearing to the municipality, person, corporation or other entity against which such order is proposed except that when the commission shall find that a public health emergency exists, it may issue such an order pending hearing. In all such instances, the hearing shall be promptly held and the order shall be withdrawn, modified or made permanent within thirty (30) days after hearing. No order prescribing the date on or before which such discharge shall be wholly or partially discontinued, modified or treated or otherwise disposed of shall go into effect upon a municipality, person, corporation or other entity in any state unless and until it receives the approval of a majority of the commissioners from each of not less than a majority of the party states, provided that such order receives the assent of not less than a majority of the commissioners from such state.

B. It shall be the duty of the municipality, person, corporation or other entity within a party state to comply with any such order against it or him by the commission, and any court of competent jurisdiction in any of the party states shall have jurisdiction, by mandamus, injunction, specific performance or other form of remedy, to enforce any such order against any municipality, person, corporation or other entity domiciled, located or doing business within such state; provided, however, such court may review the order and affirm, reverse or modify the same in any appropriate proceeding brought and upon any of the grounds customarily applicable in proceedings for court review of administrative decisions. The commission or, at its request, the attorney general or other law enforcing official of the appropriate state shall have power to institute in such court any action for the enforcement of such order.

Article IX

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of any party state, or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation, or the enforcement of any requirement by any party state, imposing any additional conditions and restrictions to further reduce or prevent the pollution of waters within its jurisdiction.

Article X

A. Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any provision of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact or to impose obligations on any party state inconsistent with those which it has undertaken or may undertake by virtue of its membership in said compact; provided that nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to limit the commission's power to set higher standards for the waters of the Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control District or any portion thereof than those required for the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation District.

B. Nothing contained in this compact shall be deemed to give the commission any power or jurisdiction over any aspect of pollution abatement or control within the district unless existing or future pollution of such waters does or is likely to affect adversely the quality of water flowing among, between, into or through the territory of more than one party state.

Article XI

Any two (2) or more of the party states by legislative action may enter into supplementary agreements for further regulation and abatement of water pollution in other areas within the party states and for the establishment of common or joint services or facilities for such purpose and designate the commission to act as their joint agency in regard thereto. Except in those cases where all member states join in such supplementary agreement and designation, the representatives in the commission of any group of such designating states shall constitute a separate section of the commission for the performance of the function or functions so designated and with such voting rights for these purposes as may be stipulated in such agreement; provided that, if any additional expense is involved, the member states so acting shall appropriate the necessary funds for this purpose. No supplementary agreement shall be valid to the extent that it conflicts with the purposes of this compact and the creation of such a section as a joint agency shall not affect the privileges, powers, responsibilities or duties of the member states participating therein as embodied in the other articles of this compact.

Article XII

This compact shall enter into force and become effective and binding when it has been enacted by the legislature of Tennessee and by the legislatures of any one or more of the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia and upon approval by the Congress of the United States and thereafter shall enter into force and become effective and binding as to any other of said states when enacted by the legislature thereof.

Article XIII

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party state until renounced by act of the legislature of such state, in such form and manner as it may choose; provided that such renunciation shall not become effective until six (6) months after the effective date of the action taken by the legislature. Notice of such renunciation shall be given to the other party states by the secretary of state of the party state so renouncing upon passage of the act.

Article XIV

The provisions of this compact or of agreements thereunder shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact, or such agreement, is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any state, agency, person or circumstances is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of this compact or of any agreement thereunder and the applicability thereof to any state, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby, provided further that if this compact or any agreement thereunder shall be held contrary to the Constitution of the United States or of any state participating therein, the compact or any agreement thereunder shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters. It is the legislative intent that the provisions of this compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-35-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 35 / Section 35-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-25
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(11) Nothing in this section affects any existing program at the department or affects any authority of the commission or department to take any action authorized by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(5) It is the purpose of this section to authorize and empower the state forestry commission to control disease or insect infections or infestations in timber and timber products within this state. It is not the purpose of this section to transfer any powers from the state plant board to the state forestry commission. Use of the word “timber” shall be deemed to refer to such trees as are normally used in the manufacture of lumber and the term “timber products” shall be deemed to refer to products manufactured from such trees normally used in the manufacture of lumber.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-407 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-407
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-407
Status: in_force

The Executive Directors of the Mississippi Forestry Commission, the Mississippi Development Authority, the MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center, and the Cooperative Extension Service shall establish a procedure and guidelines for the coordination of outreach and education programs. It shall be the duty of each agency to cooperate and to promote a coordinated outreach and education program to increase the utilization of private nonindustrial forest landowner forest resources and increase profitability for such resources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / 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. § 49-17-525 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-525
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-525
Status: in_force

(1)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a fund to be designated as the Lead-Based Paint Program Operations Fund, referred to in this section as “fund,” to be administered by the executive director and expended by appropriation approved by the Legislature.

(b) Monies in the fund shall be utilized to pay reasonable direct and indirect costs associated with the administration, educational outreach and enforcement of the lead-based paint activity accreditation and certification program.

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

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

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

(f) Monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall be retained in the fund for use in the next succeeding fiscal year to be expended by appropriation approved by the Legislature.

(2)(a) The commission shall set by order a schedule of fees for the accreditation of training programs, issuance and reissuance of certificates and lead-based paint abatement and renovation projects. The commission shall graduate fee levels to reflect the type of certificate and the size of the project, as the case may be.

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

(c) The commission may delegate to the department responsibility for the collection of fees under this section.

(d) Any person required to pay a fee under this section who disagrees with the calculation or applicability of the fee may petition the commission for a hearing in accordance with Section 49-17-35, Mississippi Code of 1972 . Any hearing shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 49-17-33, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(e) Fees collected under this section shall not supplant or reduce in any way the general fund appropriation to the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 26-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Channel Maintenance Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 35-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-7
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Any brownfield party shall provide the department, in an application as prescribed by the commission, information necessary to demonstrate that:

(i) As a result of the proposed remediation, the brownfield property will be suitable for the use or uses specified in the application while fully protecting public health and the environment;

(ii) The brownfield party has or can obtain the financial, managerial, and technical resources to implement fully and complete the proposed remediation and assure the safe use of the brownfield property;

(iii) The current owner of the brownfield property that is the subject of the application is an applicant or has given written approval for submission of the application; and

(iv) The brownfield party will comply with all applicable procedural requirements.

(b) The commission or the department may require the brownfield party to provide other information that is reasonably related to the application or to the brownfield party.

(2) Within thirty (30) days after submission of the application, the commission shall establish, by order, a written schedule, including time for the identification of other brownfield property (i) for which the source of contamination is environmental contamination or activities on or under the brownfield property that is the subject of the application, and (ii) concerning which the commission determines that remediation is necessary, for the processing of the application by the department.

(3) If brownfield property other than that property which is the subject of the original application is identified, the applicant shall obtain written approval from that brownfield property owner for inclusion of that brownfield property in the brownfield agreement site.

(4) Following the review of the application and any other information available to the department, the department shall prepare a proposed brownfield agreement. In preparation of the agreement, the department shall consult with the applicant brownfield party.

(5) A brownfield agreement shall contain a description of the brownfield agreement site sufficient to serve as a legal description of that site and, as applicable, a statement providing:

(a) A description of all remediation to be conducted on or under the brownfield agreement site, including:

(i) A description of specific areas where remediation is to be conducted;

(ii) The remediation method or methods to be employed;

(iii) The financial, technical and managerial resources that the brownfield party will make available;

(iv) A schedule of remediation activities;

(v) Remediation requirements that are based on public health and environmental risks specific to the brownfield agreement site as established under subsection (6) of this section;

(vi) A schedule for implementation and completion of the remediation; and

(vii) Any land-use restrictions or engineering controls constituting any part of the remediation required by the commission in the brownfield agreement.

(b) The proposed uses of the brownfield agreement site after all remediation required by the commission is completed.

(c) A schedule for administration of the brownfield agreement by the department.

(d) Requirements, as deemed appropriate by the commission, for reporting on the progress of remediation conducted on or under the brownfield agreement site.

(e) Any other provisions necessary to implement the brownfield agreement.

(6) A brownfield agreement shall establish remediation requirements that are based on public health and environmental risks specific to the brownfield agreement site. In establishing the risk-based remediation requirements in a brownfield agreement, the commission shall consider the use of appropriate land-use restrictions or engineering controls or both proposed by the brownfield party. The commission may determine that permanent engineering controls in conjunction with appropriate land-use restrictions satisfy the remediation required by the commission in the brownfield agreement. These risk-based remediation requirements may include contaminant-specific, state-specific, site-specific and/or likelihood of risk methodologies for the implementation of these risk-based remediation requirements. Any party to a brownfield agreement who complies with the requirements of a brownfield agreement may rely on these risk-based remediation requirements, land-use restrictions and engineering controls as governing the extent of remediation required to be performed by the brownfield party on or under the brownfield agreement site for all purposes of this article, including liability protection, subject to the limitations in Section 49-35-15(5) . Any risk-based remediation requirements, land-use restrictions and engineering controls implemented under a brownfield agreement shall be conducted in a cost-effective manner, consistent with projected future uses of the brownfield agreement site.

(7) During the remediation process, the commission may modify a brownfield agreement after appropriate public participation, if the commission receives new information demonstrating that a contaminant on or under the brownfield agreement site poses less risk than the risk that formed a basis for the remediation requirements.

(8) The applicant brownfield party and the commission may agree to remediation of a brownfield property which is not the subject of the application to a risk level of unrestricted use.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-17-747 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-747
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-747
Status: in_force

(1) Any public agency or person, pursuant to a duly adopted resolution of the governing body of such public agency or person, may enter into contracts with the county authority or county authorities under the terms of which the county authority will manage, operate and contract for usage of its systems and facilities, or other services, for such person or public agency.

(2) Any public agency or person may enter into contracts with the county authority for the county authority to purchase or sell, by installments over such terms as may be deemed desirable, or otherwise, to any person or any systems. Any public agency may sell, donate, convey, or otherwise dispose of water, wastewater and storm water facilities or systems; or any equipment, personal property or any other things, deemed necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance to the county authority without the necessity of appraisal, advertising, or bidding. This section creates an alternative method of disposal of public property.

(3) Any public agency is authorized to enter into operating agreements with the county authority, for such terms and upon such conditions as may be deemed desirable, for the operation of any of its systems of any person by the county authority or by any person contracting with the county authority to operate such systems.

(4) Any public agency may lease to or from the county authority, for such term and upon such conditions as may be deemed desirable, any of its systems.

(5) Any municipality or county may donate office space, equipment, supplies, and materials to the authority.

(6) Any such contract may contain provisions requiring any public agency or other person to regulate the quality and strength of the material to be handled by the wastewater or storm water systems and may also provide that the county authority shall have the right to use any streets, alleys and public ways and places within the jurisdiction of a public agency or other person during the term of the contract. Such contracts may obligate the public agency to make payments to the county authority or to a trustee in amounts which shall be sufficient to enable the county authority to defray the expenses of administering, operating and maintaining its respective systems, to pay interest and principal (whether at maturity upon redemption or otherwise) on bonds of the county authority, issued under this act and to fund reserves for debt service, for operation and maintenance and for renewals and replacements, to fulfill the requirements of any rate covenant with respect to debt service coverage contained in any resolution, trust indenture or other security agreement relating to the bonds of the county authority issued under this act or to fulfill any other requirement relating to bonds issued pursuant to this act.

(7) Any public agency shall have the power to enter into such contracts with the county authority as in the discretion of the governing body of the public agency would be in the best interest of the public agency. Such contracts may include a pledge of the full faith and credit of such public agency and/or the avails of any special assessments made by such public agency against property receiving benefits, as now or hereafter are provided by law. Any such contract may provide for the sale, or lease to, or use of by the county authority, of the systems or any part thereof, of the public agency; and may provide that the county authority shall operate its systems or any part thereof of the public agency; and may provide that any public agency shall have the right to continued use and/or priority use of the systems or any part thereof during the useful life thereof upon payment of reasonable charges therefor; and may contain provisions to assure equitable treatment of persons or public agencies who contract with the county authority under this act; and may contain such other provisions and requirements as the parties thereto may determine to be appropriate or necessary. Such contracts may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, and may extend beyond the life of the respective systems or any part thereof or the term of the bonds sold with respect to such facilities or improvements thereto.

(8) The obligations of a public agency arising under the terms of any contract referred to in this act, whether or not payable solely from a pledge of revenues, shall not be included within the indebtedness limitations of the public agency for purposes of any constitutional or statutory limitation or provision. To the extent provided in such contract and to the extent such obligations of the public agency are payable wholly or in part from the revenues and other monies derived by the public agency from the operation of its systems or of its combined systems, or any part thereof, such obligations shall be treated as expenses of operating such systems.

(9) Contracts referred to in this section may also provide for payments in the form of contributions to defray the cost of any purpose set forth in the contracts and as advances for the respective systems or any part thereof subject to repayment by the county authority. A public agency may make such contributions or advances from its general fund or surplus fund or from special assessments or from any monies legally available therefor.

(10) Payments made, or to be made, to the county authority by a public agency or other person under a contract for any of its treatment systems, or any part thereof, shall not be subject to approval or review by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

(11) Subject to the terms of a contract or contracts referred to in this act, the county authority is hereby authorized to do and perform any and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable to carry out the purposes of such contracts, including the fixing, charging, collecting, maintaining and revising of rates, fees and other charges for the services rendered to any user of any of the systems operated or maintained by the county authority, whether or not such systems are owned by the county authority.

(12) No provision of this act shall be construed to prohibit any public agency, otherwise permitted by law to issue bonds, from issuing bonds in the manner provided by law for the construction, renovation, repair or development of any of the county authority's systems, or any part thereof, owned or operated by such public agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 49-27-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 27-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-71
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(iii) Is abandoned;

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

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

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

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

(A) The steering system;

(B) The propulsion system; or

(C) The exterior hull integrity.

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

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

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

(vii) Is endangering life or property;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(f) The department or any party with standing does not incur liability for any resulting damage to the vessel or any damage the vessel may cause to any property or person during the time frame between posting notice and vessel removal. If any damages occur during the period of time between notice and removal of the vessel, the registered vessel owner, according to MDWFP records, is presumed liable for all damages.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-409
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-409
Status: in_force

The department shall have jurisdiction over all persons and property necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this article and the authorities outlined in Section 49-15-401 . The department may adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 28-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-13
Status: in_force

Any party having an interest in the subject matter and aggrieved or prejudiced by the findings and adjudication of the board of supervisors may appeal to the circuit court of the county in the manner provided by law for appeals from orders of the board of supervisors. However, if no appeal is taken within fifteen (15) days after the date of the adoption of the resolution creating the district, the creation of the district shall be final and shall not be subject to attack in any court after that time.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-747 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-747
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-747
Status: in_force

(1) Any public agency or person, pursuant to a duly adopted resolution of the governing body of such public agency or person, may enter into contracts with the county authority or county authorities under the terms of which the county authority will manage, operate and contract for usage of its systems and facilities, or other services, for such person or public agency.

(2) Any public agency or person may enter into contracts with the county authority for the county authority to purchase or sell, by installments over such terms as may be deemed desirable, or otherwise, to any person or any systems. Any public agency may sell, donate, convey, or otherwise dispose of water, wastewater and storm water facilities or systems; or any equipment, personal property or any other things, deemed necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance to the county authority without the necessity of appraisal, advertising, or bidding. This section creates an alternative method of disposal of public property.

(3) Any public agency is authorized to enter into operating agreements with the county authority, for such terms and upon such conditions as may be deemed desirable, for the operation of any of its systems of any person by the county authority or by any person contracting with the county authority to operate such systems.

(4) Any public agency may lease to or from the county authority, for such term and upon such conditions as may be deemed desirable, any of its systems.

(5) Any municipality or county may donate office space, equipment, supplies, and materials to the authority.

(6) Any such contract may contain provisions requiring any public agency or other person to regulate the quality and strength of the material to be handled by the wastewater or storm water systems and may also provide that the county authority shall have the right to use any streets, alleys and public ways and places within the jurisdiction of a public agency or other person during the term of the contract. Such contracts may obligate the public agency to make payments to the county authority or to a trustee in amounts which shall be sufficient to enable the county authority to defray the expenses of administering, operating and maintaining its respective systems, to pay interest and principal (whether at maturity upon redemption or otherwise) on bonds of the county authority, issued under this act and to fund reserves for debt service, for operation and maintenance and for renewals and replacements, to fulfill the requirements of any rate covenant with respect to debt service coverage contained in any resolution, trust indenture or other security agreement relating to the bonds of the county authority issued under this act or to fulfill any other requirement relating to bonds issued pursuant to this act.

(7) Any public agency shall have the power to enter into such contracts with the county authority as in the discretion of the governing body of the public agency would be in the best interest of the public agency. Such contracts may include a pledge of the full faith and credit of such public agency and/or the avails of any special assessments made by such public agency against property receiving benefits, as now or hereafter are provided by law. Any such contract may provide for the sale, or lease to, or use of by the county authority, of the systems or any part thereof, of the public agency; and may provide that the county authority shall operate its systems or any part thereof of the public agency; and may provide that any public agency shall have the right to continued use and/or priority use of the systems or any part thereof during the useful life thereof upon payment of reasonable charges therefor; and may contain provisions to assure equitable treatment of persons or public agencies who contract with the county authority under this act; and may contain such other provisions and requirements as the parties thereto may determine to be appropriate or necessary. Such contracts may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any provisions of law to the contrary, and may extend beyond the life of the respective systems or any part thereof or the term of the bonds sold with respect to such facilities or improvements thereto.

(8) The obligations of a public agency arising under the terms of any contract referred to in this act, whether or not payable solely from a pledge of revenues, shall not be included within the indebtedness limitations of the public agency for purposes of any constitutional or statutory limitation or provision. To the extent provided in such contract and to the extent such obligations of the public agency are payable wholly or in part from the revenues and other monies derived by the public agency from the operation of its systems or of its combined systems, or any part thereof, such obligations shall be treated as expenses of operating such systems.

(9) Contracts referred to in this section may also provide for payments in the form of contributions to defray the cost of any purpose set forth in the contracts and as advances for the respective systems or any part thereof subject to repayment by the county authority. A public agency may make such contributions or advances from its general fund or surplus fund or from special assessments or from any monies legally available therefor.

(10) Payments made, or to be made, to the county authority by a public agency or other person under a contract for any of its treatment systems, or any part thereof, shall not be subject to approval or review by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

(11) Subject to the terms of a contract or contracts referred to in this act, the county authority is hereby authorized to do and perform any and all acts or things necessary, convenient or desirable to carry out the purposes of such contracts, including the fixing, charging, collecting, maintaining and revising of rates, fees and other charges for the services rendered to any user of any of the systems operated or maintained by the county authority, whether or not such systems are owned by the county authority.

(12) No provision of this act shall be construed to prohibit any public agency, otherwise permitted by law to issue bonds, from issuing bonds in the manner provided by law for the construction, renovation, repair or development of any of the county authority's systems, or any part thereof, owned or operated by such public agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 49-25-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 25-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-21
Status: in_force

The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Secretary of Commerce as provided by Title 23, United States Code, relating to the control of junkyards in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary systems, and to take action in the name of the state to comply with the terms of such agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-86 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-86
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-86
Status: in_force

(1)(a) There is created a fund in the State Treasury to be designated as the “Water Pollution Control Emergency Loan Fund” hereinafter referred to as “emergency fund.”

(b) The emergency fund may receive appropriations, bond proceeds, grants, gifts, donations or funds from any source, public or private. The emergency fund shall be credited with all repayments of principal and interest derived from loans made from the emergency fund.

(c) The monies in the emergency fund may be expended only in amounts appropriated by the Legislature.

(d) The emergency fund shall be maintained in perpetuity for the purposes established in Sections 49-17-81 through 49-17-89 . Unexpended amounts remaining in the emergency fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund. Any interest earned on amounts in the emergency fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(2) The commission shall establish a loan program to assist political subdivisions in making emergency improvements such as repairs to or replacement of machinery, equipment, materials, structures or devices in existing water pollution abatement projects or such other emergency water pollution abatement projects as the commission deems necessary. Loans from the emergency fund may be made to political subdivisions as set forth in a loan agreement in amounts not exceeding one hundred percent (100%) of eligible project costs as established by the commission. The commission may require local participation or funding from other sources, or otherwise limit the percentage of costs covered by loans from the emergency fund. The commission may establish a maximum amount for any loan not to exceed Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00).

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the emergency fund may be used only:

(a) To make loans on the condition that:

(i) Loans are made at or below market interest rates, at terms not to exceed ten (10) years after project completion; the interest rate may vary from time to time and from loan to loan at the discretion of the commission.

(ii) Periodic principal and interest payments will commence when required by the commission but not later than one (1) year after project completion and all loans will be fully amortized when required by the commission but not later than ten (10) years after project completion.

(iii) The recipient of a loan shall establish a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of loans. In addition, the commission may require any loan recipient to impose a per connection surcharge on each customer for repayment of any loan funds provided under this section.

(iv) The recipient of the loan is not in arrears in repayments to the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, the Water Pollution Control Emergency Loan Fund or under the Water Pollution Abatement Loan Program.

(b) To provide financial assistance to political subdivisions in making emergency improvements such as repairs to or replacement of machinery, equipment, materials, structures or devices in existing water pollution abatement projects or such other emergency water pollution abatement projects as the commission deems necessary.

(c) To defray the reasonable costs of administering the emergency fund and conducting activities under this section, subject to annual appropriation by the Legislature.

(4) The commission shall establish a system of evaluating the eligibility of projects, including a determination of the emergency nature of a situation for which funding is sought.

(5) The fund will be credited with all payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (3) of this section. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all or any portion of payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (3) of this section may be designated or pledged for repayment of a loan as provided for in Section 31-25-28 in connection with a loan from the Mississippi Development Bank.

(6) In addition to any amounts allowed under subsection (3) (c), the commission may establish and collect fees to further defray the reasonable costs of administering the emergency fund. Any administrative fees may be included in loan amounts to political subdivisions for the purpose of facilitating payment to the commission; fees may not exceed five percent (5%) of the loan amount. The commission may also use administrative fees collected pursuant to Section 49-17-85 to defray the reasonable costs of administering the emergency fund.

(7) The board may, on a case-by-case basis, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to the six (6) most southern counties of the state covered by the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, and to political subdivisions located in such counties; however, the interest on the loans shall not be forgiven for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months and the maturity of the loans shall not be extended for a period of more than forty-eight (48) months.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-64.5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.5
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Each freight boat, ice boat and catching boat used in catching or transporting saltwater shrimp taken from the waters of the State of Mississippi for sale in their fresh state, or for canning, packing, freezing or drying, shall first obtain from the commission an annual privilege license and pay a license fee at the following rates:

(i) Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for resident boats or vessels under thirty (30) feet in length in overall measurements and One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for nonresident boats or vessels under thirty (30) feet in length in overall measurements;

(ii) Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) for resident boats or vessels between thirty (30) and forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements and One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for nonresident boats or vessels between thirty (30) and forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements;

(iii) One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for resident boats or vessels greater than forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements and Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for nonresident boats or vessels greater than forty-five (45) feet in length in overall measurements.

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

(2) Each recreational vessel engaging in shrimping with a net having a corkline length of sixteen (16) feet or less shall pay an annual resident license fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) or an annual nonresident license fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00).

(3) During open seasons and in open areas, saltwater shrimp may be taken only with shrimp trawls, trawls, butterfly nets, skimmer nets, push trawls, beach seines and cast nets.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 27-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-19
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who files a written objection pursuant to Section 49-27-15 may appear at the public hearing and be heard.

(b) The burden of proof shall be on the applicant, whether a hearing is held or not; provided, however, no application shall be denied without giving the applicant a right to a hearing according to the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-8 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-8
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-8
Status: in_force

(1) No nonresident sixteen (16) years of age or older may hunt, fish, kill, take or trap any game animal, bird or fish without having acquired and having in his immediate possession a valid license issued by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(2) The commission shall have the following duties and powers:

(a) To prescribe the forms and types of nonresident licenses that a nonresident must obtain;

(b) To determine the total number of each type of nonresident license to be issued annually;

(c) To establish fees for nonresident licenses and the collection fees for the agent issuing such licenses; provided, however, that the fee for a nonresident all game hunting license shall not be less than Sixty Dollars ($60.00);

(d) To exercise all incidental powers necessary to develop a nonresident licensing program.

(3) A nonresident who violates this section or any licensing regulation of the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-21(3) .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 28-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-23
Status: in_force

(1) The district may issue negotiable special improvement bonds to provide funds for the purpose of planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance or improvement of any project of the district, including acquisition of land. The bonds shall be payable primarily from special assessments authorized in Section 49-28-29 and, if provided in the proceedings authorizing the bonds, the avails of the ad valorem tax levy authorized in Section 49-28-27 . In addition, if provided in the proceedings authorizing the bonds and agreed to by resolution of the board of supervisors authorizing the board of commissioners to make that pledge, the bonds shall also be payable from the avails of the ad valorem tax levy provided for in subsection (2) of this section, or from any combination of monies from those special assessments and tax levies. The bonds may be issued without an election being held upon the question of their issuance and without the publication of any notice of intention to issue the bonds. The board of commissioners of the district shall issue bonds of the district by resolution spread upon the minutes of the board. The bonds shall contain covenants and provisions, be executed, bear interest at the rate or rates not to exceed fourteen percent (14%) per annum, be in denomination or denominations, be payable, both as to principal and interest, at the place or places, mature at the time or times not exceeding twenty-five (25) years from their date of issuance, as shall be determined by the board of commissioners and set forth in the resolution under which the bonds are issued. However, any bonds which are secured by a pledge of special assessments shall mature at the time or times not exceeding the time period over which the special assessments are payable, as determined by the board of commissioners under Section 49-28-29 . Notwithstanding any provision of general law to the contrary, any bonds and interest coupons issued under this chapter shall possess all of the qualities of negotiable instruments, and the bonds, premium, if any, and interest thereon shall be exempt from all state, county, municipal and other taxation under the laws of the State of Mississippi. Any bonds issued under the authority of this chapter may be refunded in the manner provided in this chapter upon a finding by the board of commissioners that the refunding is in the public interest. Bonds for the improvement or extension of any structures or facilities of the district may be included with any refunding bonds. The bonds may be sold without the necessity of advertising for bids and may be sold by negotiated private sale and on any terms, conditions and covenants as may be agreed to by and between the issuing authority and the purchasers of the bonds. The total amount of bonds issued under this chapter shall not exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(2) If provided in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds and agreed to by resolution of the board of supervisors authorizing the board of commissioners of the district to make a pledge, then when there are insufficient revenues received from special assessments authorized under Section 49-28-29 and the avails of the ad valorem tax levy authorized under Section 49-28-27 , or from both together, according to the provisions made in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds, to meet the interest or principal payments, or both, when due on any bonds issued under this chapter (excluding for this purpose any amounts in a reserve fund for those bonds), then, upon certification of that fact by the board of commissioners of the district to the board of supervisors, the board of supervisors shall levy an ad valorem tax on all taxable property within the geographical limits of the district. The avails of the tax, together with any other monies available for that purpose, shall be sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds as the principal and interest falls due. If provided in the proceedings for the issuance of the bonds, the avails of the tax may also be used to replenish any reserve fund established for the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-59 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-59
Status: in_force

The commission shall adopt, promulgate and publish rules and regulations for the implementation of this chapter. Before becoming effective, such rules and regulations, and any changes, must be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper having general circulation throughout the State of Mississippi. Such rules and regulations shall provide procedure whereby an individual or organization may receive at their own expense copies of the applications provided for in Section 49-27-13 of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 27-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-11
Status: in_force

(1) A complete application shall include the following:

(a) The name and address of the applicant;

(b) The names and addresses of the present owners of record of adjacent land, as determined by current tax assessment rolls and of known claimants of riparian or water rights in or immediately adjacent to the coastal wetland, or a certification that after diligent search and inquiry the names and addresses could not be found;

(c) A detailed description of the proposed activity and a map, drawn to an appropriate and uniform scale showing by section, township and range, or by latitudinal and longitudinal coordinator, the location and area of the coastal wetlands to be affected, indicating the location and area of existing and proposed fill, excavation or other regulated activities; showing the location, width, depth and length of any proposed channel and dredge spoil disposal site; showing all existing and proposed structures, sewage collection and treatment facilities, utility installations, roadways and related appurtenances or facilities, including those on adjacent uplands; describing the type of equipment to be used and the means of equipment access to the activity site;

(d) An estimate of the cost of the activity;

(e) The primary and secondary purposes of the project, including contemplated future projects;

(f) A description of any public benefit to be derived from the proposed project dependent upon the proposed activity;

(g) A complete description of measures to be taken to reduce detrimental off-site effects to the coastal wetlands during and after the proposed activity;

(h) The completion date of the proposed activity and of the project dependent upon the activity;

(i) An appropriate written report or statement of the environmental impact of the proposed regulated activity and of the final project dependent on it upon the affected coastal wetlands and the life dependent upon them, provided that an environmental impact statement treating the same activity in the same area and supplied to another federal or state agency for considering a permit shall satisfy this requirement if submitted by the applicant; and

(j) A certification that a permit from the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality has been applied for or that such permit is not required; that a permit from the United States Corps of Engineers has been applied for or that such permit is not required; that permits or other certificates of compliance with applicable municipal or county building codes and zoning ordinances have been applied for or are not required.

(2) If the applicant alters or amends the information provided in compliance with paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section, the review periods provided for in Sections 49-27-15 and 49-27-37 shall begin on the date that the new information is provided to the department. The date of receipt for a completed application begins on the date of the last amendment made in accordance to paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of this section.

(3) Any person filing an application to dredge an existing channel for navigational purposes shall complete an application for such activities in accordance with application procedures required in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-97 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-97
Status: in_force

The funds which are transferred from the sale of bonds under Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 to the special fund in the State Treasury known as the “Wildlife Heritage Committee Land Purchase Fund” may be withdrawn only in the following manner: The funds shall be paid by the State Treasurer upon warrants issued by the Department of Finance and Administration, which warrants shall be issued upon requisition by the chairman of the commission pursuant to a resolution adopted by the commission authorizing the requisition.

All expenditures ordered by the commission shall be entered upon its minutes, and the commission shall submit a full report of its work and all the transactions carried on by it and a complete statement of all its expenditures at the next regular session of the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 28-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-41
Status: in_force

This chapter, without reference to any statute, is full and complete authority for the creation of the district and for the issuance of bonds. No proceedings shall be required for the creation of the district or for the issuance of bonds other than those provided for and required in this chapter. All necessary powers to be exercised by the board of supervisors and by the board of commissioners of the district in order to carry out this chapter are conferred under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-7
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality shall be the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission, and shall exercise the duties and responsibilities of the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission through the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

(2) The words “ Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission ” wherever they may appear in the laws of the State of Mississippi shall be construed to mean the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-401 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-401
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-401
Status: in_force

Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 shall be known as the Mississippi Underground Storage Tank Act of 1988.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-255 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-255
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-255
Status: in_force

(1) All other property which is forfeited under Sections 49-7-251 through 49-7-257 , and except as provided in subsections (2), (5) and (6) of this section, shall be liquidated and, after deduction of court costs and the expenses of liquidation, the proceeds shall be divided and deposited as follows:

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

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

(2) All money which is forfeited under Sections 49-7-251 through 49-7-257 shall be divided, deposited and credited in the same manner as set forth in subsection (1) of this section.

(3) All property forfeited, deposited and credited to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks under Sections 49-7-251 through 49-7-257 shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer and deposited in a special fund for use by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks upon appropriation by the Legislature.

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The State Tax Commission shall issue a certificate of title to any person who purchases property under the provisions of this section when a certificate of title is required under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-317 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-317
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-317
Status: in_force

Any charter or recreational fishing boat in the Gulf of Mexico over twenty-four (24) hours before returning to land may fillet any fish caught by its charter or recreational fishermen. The commission shall not adopt any rule or ordinance prohibiting or unduly restricting the filleting of fish by such charter or recreational fishing boats.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the term:

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

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

(c) “ Pen-raised quail ” means a quail that has been hatched from an egg laid by a quail confined in a pen or coop and has itself been wholly raised in a pen or coop by a duly licensed quail breeder holding a permit as provided by law from the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(d) “Quail” means all species of quail native to North America and coturnix quail.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-23
Status: in_force

All moneys paid to the State of Mississippi by the United States, on account of national forest lands in Mississippi, established under the provisions of the Weeks Law, so-called, being an Act of Congress, approved March 1, 1911, and amendments thereto, shall be apportioned by the state treasurer to the several counties in which such national forest lands are or may be, in proportion to the area of such national forest lands in each, as determined by the forest service of the United States Department of Agriculture.

The several sums so apportioned to each county shall be paid over by the state treasurer to the county depository within sixty (60) days after receipt thereof, and fifty percent (50%) of such funds received by the county shall be expended for the benefit of the public schools, and the remaining fifty percent (50%) of such funds shall, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, be expended for the benefit of the public roads or of the public schools of the school districts within which national forest lands may be located.

In any area affected not having a school located therein, all of such funds may be expended on roads.

In counties containing one hundred sixty thousand, two hundred fifty-three (160,253) acres of national forest lands located solely within three (3) supervisors districts, if the board of supervisors elects to apportion fifty percent (50%) of the funds so received to public roads, the funds shall be expended upon the public roads within the supervisors district or districts within which the national forest lands are located.

In counties containing one hundred sixty thousand, two hundred fifty-three (160,253) acres of national forest lands located solely within three (3) supervisors districts, that portion of the funds allocated to public schools may, within the discretion of the county school board, be expended for the public schools within the county wherein the national forest lands are located.

In any county wherein there is located a national forest traversed by the Chickasawhay River and in which U. S. Highways 84 and 45 intersect, all such funds so received shall be expended in such manner as the board of supervisors shall determine in the public interest for the maintenance of public roads and support of the public schools.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-41
Status: in_force

Section 99-1-5, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall apply to all violations of the laws or regulations relating to wild animals, birds, or fish.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23
Status: in_force

The commission may grant, issue, reissue, modify, deny, suspend or revoke permits and may prescribe limitations and conditions on permits. When taking such action on any permit, the commission shall consider the effect of the proposed activity with reference to the public policy expressed in Section 49-27-3 of this chapter. A permittee under this chapter must obtain a permit from the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality if required by that commission under Sections 49-17-29 through 49-17-43 , and nothing in this chapter is intended to waive the requirements and standards of such commission. A Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality permit granted to an applicant under this chapter shall be proof of the applicant's meeting any water quality standard considered by the commission under this chapter. Any conflict under this chapter between the commission and the Commission on Environmental Quality shall be resolved in favor of the Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission may undertake studies regarding water quality and submit the results of such studies to the Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-177 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-177
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-177
Status: in_force

The compact administrator, with the assistance of the advisory committee, shall be authorized to do any and all things necessary in order to effectuate the terms and provisions of the compact contained herein and Sections 49-19-171 through 49-19-179 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of interstate cooperation in fire control for the mutual benefit of the states participating therein. Among the powers conferred upon the compact administrator, but not limiting his powers thereto, shall be that of formulating and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revising a regional forest fire plan for the member states. It shall be the duty of the compact administrator of Mississippi in cooperation with those compact administrators in the member states to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for Mississippi and take such measures as may be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 35-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19
Status: in_force

(1) Any land-use restriction or engineering control in a brownfield agreement and in a notice of brownfield agreement site filed under this section may be enforced by:

(a) Any current owner of the brownfield agreement site;

(b) The commission, by initiating an administrative proceeding or by filing a civil action, without first having exhausted all available administrative remedies;

(c) Any local government having jurisdiction over any part of the brownfield agreement site by filing a civil action, without the local government having first exhausted all available administrative remedies; or

(d) Any person provided liability protection under this article who will lose liability protection if the land-use restriction or engineering control is violated.

(2) Adjacent property owners may enforce any land-use restriction contained in a brownfield agreement or in a notice of brownfield agreement site filed under this section.

(3) A land-use restriction or engineering control shall not be declared unenforceable due to lack of privity of estate or contract, due to lack of benefit to particular land, or due to lack of any property interest in particular brownfield property within the brownfield agreement site. Any person who owns or leases brownfield property within the brownfield agreement site subject to a land-use restriction or engineering control under this section shall abide by the land-use restriction or engineering control.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-13
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein, unless the context determines otherwise:

(a) “ Raw fur ” means the skin that has not been removed from the carcass of a fur-bearing animal or nuisance animal.

(b) “ Green pelt ” means the skin, with hair or fur attached, that has been removed from a fur-bearing animal or nuisance animal, but has not been tanned or fleshed, stretched and dried.

(c) “ Dried pelt ” means the skin of a fur-bearing animal or nuisance animal that has been fleshed, stretched and dried.

(2) Any resident of the state sixteen (16) years of age or older, upon application, is entitled to receive a state trapper's license with tag for the sum of Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), plus the fee provided in Section 49-7-17 . This license shall be required of each helper or assistant sixteen (16) years of age or older employed or used by a trapper. No license shall be required of a resident who traps on lands in which the record title is vested in that person.

(3)(a) No person shall trap on the lands of another unless he has the permission of the landowner.

(b) No person shall use, on any public lands, a conibear-type or body-gripping trap with an inside jaw spread exceeding seven (7) inches, unless it is partially submerged in water. The designated legal authority of any public lands and its agents shall be exempt from the requirement of this subsection for the purpose of nuisance control.

(4)(a) Each licensed trapper shall have an identification number issued by the department. The licensed trapper shall have the identification number permanently inscribed on the trap or attached to the trap by a metal tag.

(b) A person exempt from purchasing a trapping license must tag or permanently inscribe any trap with his name, phone number and address.

(c) The conservation officer may take up any traps not properly marked.

(d) Every trapper shall visit his traps at least every thirty-six (36) hours.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall place or set a trap on or within one hundred (100) feet of any street or public road. Public roads shall not be construed to mean public waterways.

(6)(a) A licensed trapper or resident under sixteen (16) years of age shall be allowed to trap fur-bearing animals during trapping season, and sell or consign the raw fur, green pelts and dried pelts of fur-bearing and nuisance animals during the trapping season and for thirty (30) days after the close of the season. Only a licensed trapper or resident under sixteen (16) years of age may sell or consign the raw fur, green pelts and dried pelts of fur-bearing nuisance animals.

(b) A trapper may not transport the raw fur or green pelts of fur-bearing animals within the state from eleven (11) days after the close of trapping season until the opening day of the following trapping season, unless each raw fur or green pelt is tagged or documented with the name, address and trapping identification number of the person who harvested the raw fur or green pelt and the date and place of harvest. An official possession tag that has been issued by another state shall be considered legally documented.

(c) A licensed trapper may possess and maintain in storage the raw fur, green pelts and dried pelts of fur-bearing and nuisance animals at any time.

(d) The meat of legally acquired raccoons, opossums and muskrats may also be bought and sold during trapping season, and for thirty (30) days after the close of the season.

(7)(a) A municipality or county, or any person who has contracted with a municipality or county for the purpose authorized in this subsection, may place or set only snare traps within one hundred (100) feet of any road or street located within such municipality or county. Before the action authorized by this section is taken, the governing authority of the municipality or the board of supervisors of the county shall make a finding that such placement of snare traps is reasonable and necessary to protect the public safety by removing fur-bearing and nuisance animals that threaten the safety of public roads and bridges. Snares shall be submerged at least fifty percent (50%).

(b) Landowners and their designated agents may place or set snare traps, conibear-type or body-gripping traps, live cage traps and foothold traps on property owned by the landowner within one hundred (100) feet of any road or street, but not within the maintained public road or street right-of-way.

(c) Snare traps, conibear-type or body-gripping traps shall be submerged in water at least fifty percent (50%) and foothold traps shall be completely submerged in water.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 19-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141
Status: in_force

The governor on behalf of this state is hereby authorized to execute a compact, in substantially the following form, with any one or more of the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas, and the legislature hereby signifies in advance its approval and ratification of such compact:

SOUTH CENTRAL INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE PROTECTION COMPACT

Article I.

The purpose of this compact is to promote effective prevention and control of forest fires in the south central region of the United States by the development of integrated forest fire plans, by the maintenance of adequate forest fire fighting services by the member states, by providing for mutual aid in fighting forest fires among the compacting states of the region and with states which are party to other regional forest fire protection compacts or agreements, and for more adequate forest development.

Article II.

This compact shall become operative immediately as to those states ratifying it whenever any two (2) or more of the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas which are contiguous have ratified it and Congress has given consent thereto. Any state not mentioned in this article which is contiguous with any member state may become a party to this compact, subject to approval by the legislature of each of the member states.

Article III.

In each state, the state forester or officer holding the equivalent position who is responsible for forest fire control shall act as compact administrator for that state and shall consult with like officials of the other member states and shall implement cooperation between such states in forest fire prevention and control.

The compact administrators of the member states shall organize to coordinate the services of the member states and provide administrative integration in carrying out the purposes of this compact.

There shall be established an advisory committee of legislators, forestry commission representatives, and forestry or forest products industries representatives which shall meet from time to time with the compact administrators. Each member state shall name one member of the senate and one member of the house of representatives, and the governor of each member state shall appoint one representative who shall be the chairman of the state forestry commission or comparable official and one representative who shall be associated with forestry or forest products industries to comprise the membership of the advisory committee. Action shall be taken by a majority of the compacting states, and each state shall be entitled to one vote.

The compact administrators shall formulate and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revise a regional forest fire plan for the member states.

It shall be the duty of each member state to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for that state and take such measures as may be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the regional forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.

Article IV.

Whenever the state forest fire control agency of a member state requests aid from the state forest fire control agency of any other member state in combating, controlling or preventing forest fires, it shall be the duty of the state forest fire control agency of that state to render all possible aid to the requesting agency which is consonant with the maintenance of protection at home.

Article V.

Whenever the forces of any member state are rendering outside aid pursuant to the request of another member state under this compact, the employees of such state shall, under the direction of the officers of the state to which they are rendering aid, have the same powers (except the power of arrest), duties, rights, privileges and immunities as comparable employees of the state to which they are rendering aid.

No member state or its officers or employees rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be liable on account of any act or omission on the part of such forces while so engaged, or on account of the maintenance or use of any equipment or supplies in connection therewith: Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as relieving any person from liability for his own negligent act or omission, or as imposing liability for such negligent act or omission upon any state.

All liability, except as otherwise provided hereinafter, that may arise either under the laws of the requesting state or under the laws of the aiding state or under the laws of a third state on account of or in connection with a request for aid, shall be assumed and borne by the requesting state.

Any member state rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be reimbursed by the member state receiving such aid for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any equipment answering a request for aid, and for the cost of all materials, transportation, wages, salaries, and maintenance of employees and equipment incurred in connection with such request: Provided, that nothing herein contained shall prevent any assisting member state from assuming such loss, damage, expense or other cost or from loaning such equipment or from donating such service to the receiving member state without charge or cost.

Each member state shall provide for the payment of compensation and death benefits to injured employees and the representatives of deceased employees in case employees sustain injuries or are killed while rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact, in the same manner and on the same terms as if the injury or death were sustained within such state.

For the purposes of this compact the term employee shall include any volunteer or auxiliary legally included within the forest fighting forces of the aiding state under the laws thereof.

The compact administrators shall formulate procedures for claims and reimbursement under the provisions of this article, in accordance with the laws of the member states.

Article VI.

Ratification of this compact shall not be construed to affect any existing statute so as to authorize or permit curtailment or diminution of the forest fighting forces, equipment, services or facilities of any member state.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or restrict the powers of any state ratifying the same to provide for the prevention, control and extinguishment of forest fires, or to prohibit the enactment or enforcement of state laws, rules or regulations intended to aid in such prevention, control and extinguishment in such state.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to affect any existing or future cooperative relationship or arrangement between the United States Forest Service and a member state or states.

Article VII.

The compact administrators may request the United States Forest Service to act as the primary research and coordinating agency of the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact in cooperation with the appropriate agencies in each state, and the United States Forest Service may accept the initial responsibility in preparing and presenting to the compact administrators its recommendations with respect to the regional fire plan. Representatives of the United States Forest Service may attend meetings of the compact administrators.

Article VIII.

The provisions of article IV and V of this compact which relate to mutual aid in combating, controlling or preventing forest fires shall be operative as between any state party to this compact and any other state which is party to a regional forest fire protection compact in another region: Provided, that the legislature of such other state shall have given its assent to such mutual aid provisions of this compact.

Article IX.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each state ratifying it until the legislature or the governor of such state takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until six (6) months after notice thereof has been sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-409
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-409
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized to establish requirements for the written reporting of motor fuel contamination incidents from underground storage tanks. All sites involving incidents of motor fuel contamination from underground storage tanks, where the owner of such tanks is in substantial compliance and files a written report with the commission of such incident, shall be qualified sites for the expenditure of funds from the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund created by Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 . Any funds so expended shall be absorbed at the expense of the fund, without recourse to reimbursement or recovery from any underground storage tank owner, subject to the following exceptions:

(a) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any site where the department has initiated any cleanup or civil enforcement action prior to the passage of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 .

(b) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any site where the department has been denied site access to implement the provisions of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 .

(c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to authorize or require reimbursement from the fund for costs expended prior to the passage of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 .

(d) The commission may determine, in its discretion, that the owner of an underground storage tank is not in substantial compliance for the purposes of this section and Section 49-17-405 , if such owner of an underground storage tank has been delinquent in the payment of tank regulatory fees for more than three (3) months after such fee is due and payable.

(e) Any provisions of this section and chapter regarding liability for the costs of clean-up, removal, remediation or abatement of any pollution, hazardous waste or solid waste shall be limited as provided in Section 49-17-42 and rules adopted thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-71
Status: in_force

The governor, on behalf of this state, is hereby authorized to execute a compact, in substantially the following form, with any one or more of the States of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, and the legislature hereby signifies in advance its approval and ratification of such compact:

Article I

The purpose of this compact is to promote effective control and reduction of pollution in the waters of the Tennessee River Basin through increased co-operation of the states of the basin, co-ordination of pollution control activities and programs in the basin, and the establishment of a joint interstate commission to assist in these efforts.

Article II

The party states hereby create the “Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control Commission,” hereinafter referred to as the “commission,” which shall be an agency of each party state with the powers and duties set forth herein, and such others as shall be conferred upon it by the party states or by the Congress of the United States concurred in by the party states.

Article III

A. The party states hereby create the “Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control District,” hereinafter called the “district,” which consists of the area drained by the Tennessee River and its tributaries.

B. From time to time the commission may conduct surveys of the basin, study the pollution problems of the basin, and make comprehensive reports concerning the prevention or reduction of water pollution therein. The commission may draft and recommend to the parties hereto suggested legislation dealing with the pollution of waters within the basin or any portion thereof. Upon request of a state water pollution control agency, and in a manner agreed upon by such agency and the commission, the commission shall render advice concerning the various governments, communities, municipalities, persons, corporations or other entities with regard to particular problems connected with the pollution of waters. The commission shall present to the appropriate officials of any government or agency thereof its recommendations relating to enactments to be made by any legislature in furthering the intents and purposes of this article. The commission, upon request of a member state or upon its own instance may, after proper study, and after conducting public hearings, recommend minimum standards of water quality to be followed in the several areas of the district.

Article IV

The commission shall consist of three (3) commissioners from each state, each of whom shall be a resident voter of such state. The commissioners shall be chosen in the manner and for the terms provided by the laws of the state from which they are appointed, and each commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he is appointed.

Article V

A. The commission shall elect annually from its members a chairman and a vice-chairman to serve at its pleasure. It shall adopt a seal and suitable by-laws for its management and control. The commission is hereby authorized to adopt, prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations for administering and enforcing all provisions of this compact. It may maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business. Meetings shall be held at least once each year. It may determine duties, qualifications and compensation for and appoint such employees and consultants as may be necessary and remove or replace them.

B. The commission shall not compensate the commissioners for their services but shall pay their actual expenses incurred in and incidental to the performance of their duties.

C. The commission may acquire, by gift or otherwise, and may hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be appropriate to the performance of its functions. In the event of sale of real property, proceeds may be distributed among the several party states, each state's share being computed in a ratio to its contributions; and in the event of dissolution of the commission, the property and assets shall be disposed of and proceeds distributed in a like manner.

D. Each commissioner shall have one vote. One or more commissioners from a majority of the party states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but no action of the commission imposing any obligation on any party state or any municipality, person, corporation or other entity therein shall be binding unless a majority of all of the members from such party state shall have voted in favor thereof. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements, and shall submit to the governor and the legislature of each party state an annual report concerning its activities, and shall make recommendations for any legislative, executive or administrative action deemed advisable.

E. The commission shall at the proper time submit to the governor of each party state for his approval an estimate of its proposed expenditures. The commission shall subsequently adopt a budget and submit appropriation requests to the party states in accordance with the laws and procedures of such states.

F. The commission shall not pledge the credit of any of the party states. The Commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it, from gifts, grants, appropriations or otherwise, provided that the commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to the incurring of any obligation to be met in whole or in part in this manner. Except where the commission makes use of funds already available to it, the commission shall not incur any obligations prior to the making of appropriations adequate to meet the same.

G. The accounts of the commission shall be open at any reasonable time to the inspection of such representatives of the respective party states as may be duly constituted for that purpose. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become a part of the annual report of the commission. The commission shall appoint an executive director. The commission shall also appoint a treasurer who may be a member of the commission. The executive director shall be custodian of the records of the commission with authority to attest to and certify such records and copies thereof under the seal of the commission. The commission shall require bonds of its executive director and treasurer in the amount of at least twenty-five per cent (25%) of the annual budget of the commission.

Article VI

Each of the commission's budgets of estimated expenditures shall contain specific recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated by each of the party states. In determining these amounts, the commission shall prorate one half ( 1 / 2 ) of its budget among the several states in proportion to their land area within the district, and shall prorate the other half among the several states in proportion to their population within the district at the last preceding federal census.

Article VII

A. It is recognized, owing to such variable factors as location, size, character and flow and the many varied uses of the waters subject to the terms of this compact, that no single standard of sewage and waste treatment and no single standard of quality of receiving waters is practical and that the degree of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes should take into account the classification of the receiving waters according to present and proposed highest use, such as for drinking water supply, industrial and agricultural uses, bathing and other recreational purposes, maintenance and propagation of fish life, navigation and disposal of wastes.

B. The commission may establish reasonable physical, chemical and bacteriological standards of water quality satisfactory for various classifications of use. It is agreed that each of the signatory states through appropriate agencies will prepare a classification of its interstate waters in the district in entirety or by portions according to present and proposed highest use, and for this purpose technical experts employed by appropriate state water pollution control agencies are authorized to confer on questions relating to classification of interstate waters affecting two or more states. Each signatory state agrees to submit its classification of its interstate waters to the commission for approval. It is agreed that after such approval, all signatory states through their appropriate state water pollution control agencies will work to establish programs of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes which will meet standards established by the commission for classified waters. The commission may from time to time make such changes in definitions of classifications and in standards as may be required by changed conditions or as may be necessary for uniformity and in a manner similar to that in which these standards and classifications were originally established.

Article VIII

A. A state pollution control agency of any party state may certify to the commission an alleged violation of the commission's standards of quality of water entering said state. Upon such certification the commission may call a hearing at which the appropriate state pollution agencies shall be represented. If the commission finds a violation has occurred, is occurring or is likely to recur, it shall make recommendations as to the manner of abatement of the pollution to the appropriate water pollution control agency of the party state within which the violation has occurred, is occurring or is likely to recur. In the event that commission recommendations made pursuant to the preceding provisions of this article do not result in compliance within a reasonable time, the commission may, after such further investigation if any as is deemed necessary and proper and after a hearing held in the state where a violation occurs or has occurred, issue an order or orders upon any municipality, person, corporation or other entity within said party state violating provisions of this compact by discharging sewage or industrial wastes into the waters of the district which flow through, into or border upon any party state. Such order or orders may prescribe the date on or before which such discharge shall be wholly or partially discontinued, modified or treated or otherwise disposed of. The commission shall give reasonable and proper notice in writing of the time and place of the hearing to the municipality, person, corporation or other entity against which such order is proposed except that when the commission shall find that a public health emergency exists, it may issue such an order pending hearing. In all such instances, the hearing shall be promptly held and the order shall be withdrawn, modified or made permanent within thirty (30) days after hearing. No order prescribing the date on or before which such discharge shall be wholly or partially discontinued, modified or treated or otherwise disposed of shall go into effect upon a municipality, person, corporation or other entity in any state unless and until it receives the approval of a majority of the commissioners from each of not less than a majority of the party states, provided that such order receives the assent of not less than a majority of the commissioners from such state.

B. It shall be the duty of the municipality, person, corporation or other entity within a party state to comply with any such order against it or him by the commission, and any court of competent jurisdiction in any of the party states shall have jurisdiction, by mandamus, injunction, specific performance or other form of remedy, to enforce any such order against any municipality, person, corporation or other entity domiciled, located or doing business within such state; provided, however, such court may review the order and affirm, reverse or modify the same in any appropriate proceeding brought and upon any of the grounds customarily applicable in proceedings for court review of administrative decisions. The commission or, at its request, the attorney general or other law enforcing official of the appropriate state shall have power to institute in such court any action for the enforcement of such order.

Article IX

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of any party state, or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation, or the enforcement of any requirement by any party state, imposing any additional conditions and restrictions to further reduce or prevent the pollution of waters within its jurisdiction.

Article X

A. Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any provision of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact or to impose obligations on any party state inconsistent with those which it has undertaken or may undertake by virtue of its membership in said compact; provided that nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to limit the commission's power to set higher standards for the waters of the Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control District or any portion thereof than those required for the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation District.

B. Nothing contained in this compact shall be deemed to give the commission any power or jurisdiction over any aspect of pollution abatement or control within the district unless existing or future pollution of such waters does or is likely to affect adversely the quality of water flowing among, between, into or through the territory of more than one party state.

Article XI

Any two (2) or more of the party states by legislative action may enter into supplementary agreements for further regulation and abatement of water pollution in other areas within the party states and for the establishment of common or joint services or facilities for such purpose and designate the commission to act as their joint agency in regard thereto. Except in those cases where all member states join in such supplementary agreement and designation, the representatives in the commission of any group of such designating states shall constitute a separate section of the commission for the performance of the function or functions so designated and with such voting rights for these purposes as may be stipulated in such agreement; provided that, if any additional expense is involved, the member states so acting shall appropriate the necessary funds for this purpose. No supplementary agreement shall be valid to the extent that it conflicts with the purposes of this compact and the creation of such a section as a joint agency shall not affect the privileges, powers, responsibilities or duties of the member states participating therein as embodied in the other articles of this compact.

Article XII

This compact shall enter into force and become effective and binding when it has been enacted by the legislature of Tennessee and by the legislatures of any one or more of the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia and upon approval by the Congress of the United States and thereafter shall enter into force and become effective and binding as to any other of said states when enacted by the legislature thereof.

Article XIII

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party state until renounced by act of the legislature of such state, in such form and manner as it may choose; provided that such renunciation shall not become effective until six (6) months after the effective date of the action taken by the legislature. Notice of such renunciation shall be given to the other party states by the secretary of state of the party state so renouncing upon passage of the act.

Article XIV

The provisions of this compact or of agreements thereunder shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact, or such agreement, is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any state, agency, person or circumstances is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of this compact or of any agreement thereunder and the applicability thereof to any state, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby, provided further that if this compact or any agreement thereunder shall be held contrary to the Constitution of the United States or of any state participating therein, the compact or any agreement thereunder shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters. It is the legislative intent that the provisions of this compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-69
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person in the taking or killing of fur-bearing animals or fish to use poison, explosives or chemicals of any description.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 25-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-3
Status: in_force

For the purpose of promoting the public safety, health, welfare, convenience and enjoyment of public travel, to protect the public investment in public highways, and to preserve and enhance the scenic beauty of lands bordering public highways, it is hereby declared to be in the public interest to regulate and restrict the establishment, operation, and maintenance of junkyards in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems within this state. The legislature hereby finds and declares that junkyards which do not conform to the requirements of this chapter are public nuisances.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-38 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-38
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-38
Status: in_force

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

(2) When hunting during any gun season on deer, the hunter must comply with Section 49-7-31.1 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / 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. § 49-15-64.3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-64.3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.3
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to take, catch or have in their possession within territorial waters of the State of Mississippi shrimp of a size weighing in the raw state less than one (1) pound to each sixty-eight (68) shrimp, except as provided under Section 49-15-64.1 , except when a valid permit or affidavit of another state identifies the catch as having been taken in non-Mississippi waters, or except in case of live bait shrimp.

(2) It is unlawful to take, catch or have in possession live bait shrimp of a size weighing in the raw state less than one (1) pound to each one hundred (100) shrimp. This provision may be changed by a two-thirds ( 2 / 3 ) vote of the commission. The commission may adopt rules, regulations, guidelines and other operation criteria in conjunction with licensing live bait dealers and live bait catcher boats as it deems appropriate to ensure that only bona fide operations will be licensed.

(3) If a live bait dealer or live bait catcher boat is convicted of a violation of this chapter or a duly adopted ordinance of the commission, the commission may, in addition to punishment duly adjudicated, revoke the license of the vessel or dealer to whom it is issued for a period not exceeding two (2) weeks following conviction of the first offense, not exceeding six (6) months following conviction of the second offense, and up to one (1) year following conviction of the third and subsequent offenses, if the subsequent offenses are committed within three (3) years of the first offense. Upon the revocation of the license, the commission may require the posting of a cash performance bond not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) before the reissuance of that revoked license. The commission may require the forfeiture of that bond upon the subsequent conviction of any violation of this chapter or a duly adopted ordinance of the commission. If a person who posts bond under this section desires to no longer engage in the live bait business, that person shall certify that fact to the commission who shall return the bond. If that person desires to again engage in the live bait business, a cash performance bond may be required before the issuance of a license.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-94 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-17-705 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 49-9-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-9
Status: in_force

The director shall, upon receipt of the proper application provided for in Section 49-9-7 , and the proper fee, issue a license to catch, take or kill mussels. All licenses issued shall be good from the date of issuance to the first day of July following such issuance. Licenses shall be consecutively numbered as issued and a record shall be kept thereof in the office of the department. Such license shall state whether it is a resident or a nonresident license, the address of the licensee, and the amount paid for the license. The license shall also state what waters have been closed to the capture of mussels by the commission. Every person while taking, catching or killing mussels shall have such license in his possession and shall exhibit the same when requested to do so by an authorized officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 31 / 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. § 49-17-603 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-603
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-603
Status: in_force

(1) The definitions used in this section are expressly limited to this section only, and the inclusion of indoor air in the definition of “ waste ” does not expand the jurisdiction of the Commission on Environmental Quality or the Department of Environmental Quality to include the regulation of indoor air:

(a) “ By-product ” means a substance produced without a separate intent during the manufacture, processing, use or disposal of another substance or mixture; and

(b) “ Waste ” means all liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive or other substances that may pollute or tend to pollute any waters of the state or soil within the state, and any particulate matter, dust, fumes, gas, mist, smoke or vapor, or any combination thereof, that may pollute or tend to pollute air in the state, including indoor air.

(2) The generation of waste in any quantity by any person caused by the mixing, combining, processing or cooking together of two (2) or more precursor drugs or chemicals listed in Section 41-29-313 is unlawful unless:

(a) The person has first obtained a generator identification number pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 USCS Section 6901 et seq., and the regulations promulgated thereunder; or

(b) The person has first obtained a treatment, storage or disposal permit pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 USCS Section 6901 et seq., and the regulations promulgated thereunder; or

(c) The process that generated the waste also, as part of the same process:

(i) Created a product that is not illegal to possess pursuant to Section 41-29-139(c) ;

(ii) Created a by-product that is not illegal to possess pursuant to Section 41-29-139(c) , while not at the same time producing a controlled substance; or

(iii) Was a process of servicing, maintaining or cleaning an item or product that is not illegal to possess pursuant to Section 41-29-139(c) .

(3) Any person who violates this section, upon conviction, is guilty of a felony and may be imprisoned for a period not to exceed thirty (30) years and shall be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) nor more than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), or may be both fined and imprisoned.

(4) Nothing in this section shall preclude any farmer or manufacturer from storing or using any of the listed precursor drugs or chemicals listed in Section 41-29-313 in the normal pursuit of farming or manufacturing operations.

(5) Nothing in this section shall preclude any wholesaler, retailer or pharmacist from possessing or selling precursor drugs or chemicals listed in Section 41-29-313 in the normal pursuit of business.

(6) Except as may be otherwise provided, a property owner or occupant of land shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the generation of waste caused by the criminal acts of persons other than the property owner or occupant of such land if the property owner or occupant did not have prior knowledge of the criminal activity.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-27
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a fund designated as the Tree Seedling Revolving Fund. The State Forestry Commission shall use the fund to contract for the production or purchase of tree seedlings, for resale to Mississippi landowners for reforestation.

(2) The Tree Seedling Revolving Fund shall be funded by monies received from the sale of contract seedlings to Mississippi landowners. Monies collected from the sales shall be deposited into the Tree Seedling Revolving Fund. The State Treasurer shall make disbursements for payment of production or purchase of seedlings upon requisition by the Forestry Commission and upon the issuance of warrants by the Department of Finance and Administration.

(3) The Tree Seedling Revolving Fund is created to supplement the State Forestry Commission's seedling production capacity and not for its replacement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Activity Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-19-301 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-301
Status: in_force

Sections 49-19-301 through 49-19-307 may be cited as the “Mississippi Prescribed Burning Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 28-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-15
Status: in_force

Beginning on the date of the adoption of the resolution creating a district, the district shall be a public corporation in perpetuity under its corporate name and shall, in that name, be a body politic and corporate with power of perpetual succession.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-58.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58.1
Status: in_force

(1) The owner of any enclosure containing white-tailed deer that prevents the free egress of white-tailed deer from the enclosed area shall notify and register with the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The person shall give his name, the location of the enclosure, the acreage within the enclosure, and whether any deer have been imported into the state and placed in the enclosure, and any other information required by the Commissioner on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(2) Persons who constructed an enclosure prior to July 1, 2003, shall have until January 1, 2004, to notify and provide the information required under this section. The person shall use acceptable hunting and wildlife management practices as may be determined by the department.

(3) The owner of such an enclosure shall comply with all rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for the testing of white-tailed deer harvested within an enclosure, or whose death was due to causes other than hunting activity, as required by Section 49-7-58.6 . If chronic wasting disease is diagnosed within five (5) miles of the enclosure, the owner of such enclosure shall allow department personnel to enter the enclosure to utilize the best collection methods possible to obtain tissue samples for testing. If chronic wasting disease is diagnosed within the enclosure, the owner shall work with the commission to determine a solution for containing the disease within the enclosure; however, the commission shall not declare surrounding or adjoining properties within a five (5) mile radius of the enclosure a CWD Management Zone, until chronic wasting disease is positively detected within such radius on these surrounding or adjoining properties.

(4) Violations of this section shall be punishable as provided in Section 49-7-58.6 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-28-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-28-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 28-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-35
Status: in_force

The resolution declaring the intent of the board of commissioners to proceed with the special improvement projects of the district may direct that all of the expenses of the property, structures or facilities of the district, or the part of the expenses that the board of commissioners shall charge upon the property in the district shall be assessed according to the frontage rule or area rule, as outlined in this section. Bonds may be issued for one or more projects, and the area and method of assessment for each project shall be specified in the resolution declaring the intent of the board of commissioners of the district to proceed with that project. The resolution declaring the intent of the board of commissioners to proceed with any special improvement shall:

(a) Define the properties in the area to be benefited by each improvement, with each improvement being designated as a project;

(b) Fix the amount or percentage of the charge to be levied upon the property benefited;

(c) Designate the minimum and maximum number of years between the date of issuance of the bonds and the maturity of those bonds;

(d) Delineate the method of determining the amount of special assessments to be levied on each lot or parcel of land in the benefited area; and

(e) Designate the minimum and maximum number of equal approximately equal annual installments that the board of commissioners may later allow for the payment of assessments with interest on those assessments.

If the board of commissioners determines that the front foot rule is the most equitable method of distributing the cost among the properties, then the resolution shall direct that the cost to be assessed against each lot or parcel of land shall be determined by dividing the entire cost to be assessed by the total number of front feet of real property abutting upon the shoreline on which the project is located and which will be subject to the special assessment, and multiplying the quotient by the total number of front feet in any particular lot or parcel of land fronting in the beach on which the project is located. The result of this formula shall be assessed against each lot or parcel of land for the owner's part of the cost of the entire improvement to be paid through special assessments.

If the board of commissioners determines that the area rule is the most equitable method of distributing the cost among the properties, then the resolution shall direct that the cost to be assessed against each lot or parcel of land shall be determined by dividing the entire cost to be assessed by the total number of acres or square feet in the area being benefited and that is subject to the special assessment, and multiplying the quotient by the total number of acres or square feet in any particular lot or parcel of land. The result of this formula shall be assessed against each lot or parcel of land for the owner's part of the cost of the entire improvement to be paid through special assessments.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 21-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1
Status: reserved

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

ARTICLE 1. Findings, Purposes and Reservations of Power.

(1) Findings.

Signatory states hereby find and declare:

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

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

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

(2) Purposes.

The purposes of the signatories in enacting this compact are:

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

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

(3) Powers of the United States.

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

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

(4) Powers of the States.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE 3. Intergovernmental Cooperation.

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

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

ARTICLE 4. Supplementary Agreements, Jurisdiction and Enforcement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Provided that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE 5. Construction, Amendment and Effective Date.

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

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

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

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

(5) Withdrawal from the Compact. A state may withdraw from this compact by authority of an act of its legislature one (1) year after it notifies all signatories in writing of an intention to withdraw from the compact. Provided, withdrawal from the compact affects obligations of a signatory imposed on it by supplementary agreements to which it may be a party only to the extent and in accordance with the terms of such supplementary agreements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / 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. § 49-31-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-15-201 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-19-171 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-171
Status: in_force

The governor on behalf of this state is hereby authorized to execute a compact, in substantially the following form, with any one or more of the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and the legislature hereby signifies in advance its approval and ratification of such compact:

SOUTHEASTERN INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE PROTECTION COMPACT

Article I.

The purpose of this compact is to promote effective prevention and control of forest fires in the southeastern region of the United States by the development of integrated forest fire plans, by the maintenance of adequate forest fire fighting services by the member states, by providing for mutual aid in fighting forest fires among the compacting states of the region and with states which are party to other regional forest fire protection compacts or agreements, and for more adequate forest protection.

Article II.

This compact shall become operative immediately as to those states ratifying it whenever any two (2) or more of the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, which are contiguous have ratified it and Congress has given consent thereto. Any state not mentioned in this article which is contiguous with any member state may become a party to this compact, subject to approval by the legislature of each of the member states.

Article III.

In each state, the state forester or officer holding the equivalent position who is responsible for forest fire control shall act as compact administrator for that state and shall consult with like officials of the other member states and shall implement cooperation between such states in forest fire prevention and control.

The compact administrator of the member states shall coordinate the services of the member states and provide administrative integration in carrying out the purposes of this compact.

There shall be established an advisory committee of legislators, forestry commission representatives, and forestry or forest products industries representatives which shall meet from time to time with the compact administrators. Each member state shall name one member of the senate and one member of the house of representatives who shall be designated by that state's commission on interstate cooperation, or if said commission cannot constitutionally designate the said members, they shall be designated in accordance with laws of that state; and the governor of each member state shall appoint two (2) representatives, one of whom shall be associated with forestry or forest products industries to comprise the membership of the advisory committee. Action shall be taken by a majority of the compacting states, and each state shall be entitled to one vote.

The compact administrators shall formulate and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revise a regional forest fire plan for the member states.

It shall be the duty of each member state to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for that state and take such measures as may be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the regional forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.

Article IV.

Whenever the state forest fire control agency of a member state requests aid from the state forest fire control agency of any other member state in combating, controlling or preventing forest fires, it shall be the duty of the state forest fire control agency of that state to render all possible aid to the requesting agency which is consonant with the maintenance of protection at home.

Article V.

Whenever the forces of any member state are rendering outside aid pursuant to the request of another member state under this compact, the employees of such state shall, under the direction of the officers of the state to which they are rendering aid, have the same powers (except the power of arrest), duties, rights, privileges, and immunities as comparable employees of the state to which they are rendering aid.

No member state or its officers or employees rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be liable on account of any act or omission on the part of such forces while so engaged, or on account of the maintenance, or use of any equipment or supplies in connection therewith: Provided, that nothing herein shall be construed as relieving any person from liability for his own negligent act or omission, or as imposing liability for such negligent act or omission upon any state.

All liability, except as otherwise provided hereinafter, that may arise either under the laws of the requesting state or under the laws of the aiding state or under the laws of a third state on account of or in connection with a request for aid, shall be assumed and borne by the requesting state.

Any member state rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact shall be reimbursed by the member state receiving such aid for any loss or damage to, or expense incurred in the operation of any equipment answering a request for aid, and for the cost of all materials, transportation, wages, salaries, and subsistence of employees and maintenance of equipment incurred in connection with such request: Provided, that nothing herein contained shall prevent any assisting member state from assuming such loss, damage, expense or other cost or from loaning such equipment or from donating such service to the receiving member state without charge or cost.

Each member state shall provide for the payment of compensation and death benefits to injured employees and the representatives of deceased employees in case employees sustain injuries or are killed while rendering outside aid pursuant to this compact, in the same manner and on the same terms as if the injury or death were sustained within such state.

For the purpose of this compact the term employee shall include any volunteer or auxiliary legally included within the forest fighting forces of the aiding state under the laws thereof.

The compact administrators shall formulate procedures for claims and reimbursement under the provisions of this article, in accordance with the laws of the member states.

Article VI.

Ratification of this compact shall not be construed to affect any existing statute so as to authorize or permit curtailment or diminution of the forest fighting forces, equipment, services or facilities of any member state.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit or restrict the powers of any state ratifying the same to provide for the prevention, control and extinguishment of forest fires, or to prohibit the enactment or enforcement of state laws, rules or regulations intended to aid in such prevention, control and extinguishment in such state.

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to affect any existing or future cooperative relationship or arrangement between any federal agency and a member state or states.

Article VII.

The compact administrators may request the United States Forest Service to act as a research and coordinating agency of the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact in cooperation with the appropriate agencies in each state, and the United States Forest Service may accept responsibility for preparing and presenting to the compact administrators its recommendations with respect to the regional fire plan. Representatives of any federal agency engaged in forest fire prevention and control may attend meetings of the compact administrators.

Article VIII.

The provisions of articles IV and V of this compact which relate to mutual aid in combating, controlling or preventing forest fires shall be operative as between any state party to this compact and any other state which is party to a regional forest fire protection compact in another region: Provided, that the legislature of such other state shall have given its assent to such mutual aid provisions of this compact.

Article IX.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each state ratifying it until the legislature or the governor of such state, as the laws of such state provide, takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until six (6) months after notice thereof has been sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-769 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-769
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-769
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of this act shall be legal investments for trustees, other fiduciaries, savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi; and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of the state and all municipalities and other political subdivisions thereof for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-41
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall regulate the feeding of wild animals and game birds outside of wildlife enclosures and shall have plenary authority in matters related to such feeding of wild animals and game birds.

(b) The authority to regulate feeding shall not apply to planted food plots and natural habitat management.

(c) The authority to regulate feeding under this section shall not apply to wildlife enclosures.

(2) The commission may take any action it deems necessary and may use its emergency powers to prevent, control or eradicate disease resulting from the feeding of wild animals and game birds.

(3) A violation of this section or any regulation of the commission promulgated to prevent, control or eradicate disease is a Class II violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-61 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 27-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-61
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The commission shall charge Fifty Cents (50¢) per cubic yard for any sand or gravel removed from wetlands and Twenty-five Cents (25¢) per cubic yard for any other materials removed from coastal wetlands by a permittee or his agent under the terms of any permit issued.

(b) There shall be no charge levied by the commission for the removal of one hundred (100) cubic yards or less of any material removed from wetlands by a permittee or his agent under the terms of any permit issued.

(c) The commission may waive these charges on any project of a governmental agency or any project wherein expenditures are made as the result of a governmental grant or governmental bond proceeds.

(d) Any party participating in the beneficial use of dredge materials programs under subsection (2) shall be exempt from these charges.

(2) The department shall require any party permitted to conduct dredging activities of over two thousand five hundred (2,500) cubic yards to participate in the department programs involving beneficial use of dredge materials, provided the material is suitable and a beneficial use site is available. If approved by the executive director, or his designee, a party may deposit acceptable dredge materials in a designated location for a fee not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the fair market cost to transport and dispose of the material in an approved upland site. The department shall consider in-kind services for offsetting depositional charges.