Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-171 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-23-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-7
Status: in_force

The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to promulgate regulations governing the issuance of permits for the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising coming within the exceptions contained in subsections (a), (d) and (e) of Section 49-23-5 , consistent with the safety and welfare of the traveling public, and as may be necessary to carry out the policy of the state declared in Section 49-23-1 , and consistent with the national standards promulgated by the secretary of commerce pursuant to Title 23, United States Code, provided that such regulations shall not contain any definition more restrictive than those set forth in Section 49-23-3 ; nor shall they be more restrictive than the provisions set forth in Section 49-23-9 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-18 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-18
Status: in_force

The executive director of the department shall publish an abstract copy of this chapter and all subsequent amendments to this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated by the department under this chapter. The department may distribute the publication to all persons requesting a copy and to each licensee at the time of issuance of the license. New regulations and amendments to this chapter may be supplied to each licensee within a reasonable time after their promulgation or passage. The department may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed actual cost for its publications.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-17
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Transportation Commission is authorized to acquire by purchase, gift or condemnation, all advertising devices and any property rights pertaining thereto, when such advertising devices are required to be removed under the provisions of Section 49-23-15 . Just compensation shall be paid for the acquisition and for the removal of any outdoor advertising lawfully erected as defined in Section 131 of Title 23, United States Code , as amended, that is required to be removed under the provisions of Section 49-23-15 . The use of amortization for whatever period shall not constitute just compensation.

(2) If any political subdivision or other governmental agency requires the removal of any outdoor advertising sign lawfully erected, just compensation shall be paid to the owner of the sign for the cost of removal plus the fair market value of the sign removed. The use of amortization for whatever period shall not constitute just compensation.

(3) Damages resulting from any taking in eminent domain shall be ascertained in the manner presently provided by law, or in such manner as the Legislature may hereafter provide, and shall be limited to:

(a) The taking from the owner of such sign, display or device of all right, title, leasehold and interest in such sign, display or device; and

(b) The taking from the owner of the real property on which the sign, display or device is located, of the right to erect and maintain such signs, displays and devices thereon, less enhancement of the property remaining by reason of removal of such sign, display or device and special benefits resulting therefrom.

(4) This section shall not apply to any on-premises sign ordinance adopted by a political subdivision or other governmental agency before May 15, 1992.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-49 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-49
Status: in_force

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources' oyster check station located at the Pass Christian Harbor, Pass Christian, Mississippi, shall be named the Colonel George J. Wright, Sr., building. The Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare or have prepared a distinctive plaque to be placed in a prominent place within the Colonel George J. Wright, Sr., building, which states the background, accomplishments and public health service to the state and nation of Colonel George J. Wright, Sr.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-101
Status: in_force

Whenever used in Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 , unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context, the following terms, whether used in the singular or plural, shall be given the following meanings:

(1) “Bonds” shall include notes, bonds and other obligations authorized to be issued under Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 .

(2) “Governing board” shall mean the governing bodies of the several counties and incorporated municipalities of the state as now or hereafter constituted; and in the event that any pollution control facilities shall be located in more than one (1) county, the term “governing board” shall also relate to the governing bodies of the several counties wherein such pollution control facilities shall be located.

(3) “Municipality” shall mean a county or incorporated municipality of this state.

(4) “Pollution control facilities” shall mean any facilities to be located in the municipality which are designed and used for the elimination, mitigation or prevention of air or water pollution, and shall include all facilities and equipment designed and used to collect, treat and thereafter dispose of all effluents and waste of any sort originating in or about or resulting from conduct of any industrial enterprise. Pollution control facilities may include facilities designed both for water and air pollution. Pollution control facilities may be constructed as part of, and may include facilities also designed for the recovery of chemicals or to serve some other purpose, but which also contribute to the elimination, mitigation or prevention of air or water pollution. Pollution control facilities financed pursuant to Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 by a county or an incorporated municipality shall not be a part of such county's or municipality's municipal water or sewer system.

(5) “Industry” shall mean any person, firm or corporation operating any enterprise or facility for the manufacturing, processing, generation, assembling, distributing, shipping or rendering of any type of energy, product, or public utility services from which operation conditions result which would, unless eliminated, mitigated or prevented, result in pollution of the atmosphere or waters situated in or abutting this state.

(6) “Pollution authority” shall mean the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission as established by Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , as the same may be amended from time to time.

(7) “Lease/sale” shall mean any agreement without limitation whereby a county or incorporated municipality shall lease and/or convey title to pollution control facilities to an industry, made by and between the governing board and such industry by which such industry agrees to pay to (and to secure if so required) the county or the incorporated municipality, as the case may be, or to any assignee thereof, the sums required to meet the payment of the principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, on any bonds, and/or the expenses, if any, of operation by such municipality or county.

(8) “Board” shall mean the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-5
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

(1) Water.

(a) “Pollution” means such contamination, or other alteration of the physical, chemical or biological properties, of any waters of the state, including change in temperature, taste, color, turbidity, or odor of the waters, or such discharge of any liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive, or other substance or leak into any waters of the state unless in compliance with a valid permit issued therefor by the Permit Board.

(b) “Wastes” means sewage, industrial wastes, oil field wastes, and all other liquid, gaseous, solid, radioactive, or other substances which may pollute or tend to pollute any waters of the state.

(c) “Sewerage system” means pipelines or conduits, pumping stations, and force mains, and other structures, devices, appurtenances and facilities used for collecting or conducting wastes to an ultimate point for treatment or disposal.

(d) “Treatment works” means any plant or other works, used for the purpose of treating, stabilizing or holding wastes.

(e) “Disposal system” means a system for disposing of wastes, either by surface or underground methods, and includes sewerage systems, treatment works, disposal wells and other systems.

(f) “Waters of the state” means all waters within the jurisdiction of this state, including all streams, lakes, ponds, impounding reservoirs, marshes, watercourses, waterways, wells, springs, irrigation systems, drainage systems, and all other bodies or accumulations of water, surface and underground, natural or artificial, situated wholly or partly within or bordering upon the state, and such coastal waters as are within the jurisdiction of the state, except lakes, ponds or other surface waters which are wholly landlocked and privately owned, and which are not regulated under the Federal Clean Water Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. ).

(g) “Underground water” means an underground source of drinking water as defined within the regulations of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

(2) Air.

(a) “Air contaminant” means particulate matter, dust, fumes, gas, mist, smoke or vapor, or any combination thereof, produced by processes other than natural.

(b) “Air pollution” means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants in quantities, of characteristic, and of a duration which are materially injurious or can be reasonably expected to become materially injurious to human, plant or animal life or to property, or which unreasonably interfere with enjoyment of life or use of property throughout the state or throughout such area of the state as shall be affected thereby.

(c) “Air contamination” means the presence in the outdoor atmosphere of one or more air contaminants which contribute to a condition of air pollution.

(d) “Air contamination source” means any source at, from, or by reason of which there is emitted into the atmosphere any air contaminant, regardless of who the person may be who owns or operates the building, premises or other property in, at, or on which such source is located, or the facility, equipment or other property by which the emission is caused or from which the emission comes.

(e) “Air-cleaning device” means any method, process or equipment, the primary function of which is to remove, reduce or render less noxious air contaminants discharged into the atmosphere.

(f) “Area of the state” means any city or county or portion thereof, or other substantial geographical area of the state as may be designated by the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.

(g) “Federal Clean Air Act” means the Federal Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq., as amended.

(3) General.

(a) “Commission” means the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality acting through the Office of Pollution Control of the Department of Environmental Quality.

(b) “Person” means the state or other agency or institution thereof, any municipality, political subdivision, public or private corporation, individual, partnership, association or other entity, and includes any officer or governing or managing body of any municipality, political subdivision, or public or private corporation, or the United States or any officer or employee thereof.

(c) “Pollution Emergency Fund” means the fund established under Section 49-17-68 .

(d) “General permit” means a permit for categories of sources that involve similar wastes and have similar monitoring requirements and restrictions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-30 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-30
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(5) All fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the “Air Operating Permit Program Fee Trust Fund” established in Section 49-17-14 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-715 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-715
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-715
Status: repealed

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

(2) [Repealed]

(3) If the county authority is dissolved, the board of supervisors may reestablish the county authority by a resolution duly adopted and entered on its minutes stating the necessity for the county authority. The board shall file a certified copy of the resolution with the Secretary of State, the Public Service Commission and the utility board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-601 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-601
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-601
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature to make unlawful the generation of wastes occurring in the illegal manufacture or attempted illegal manufacture of controlled substances through the mixing, combining, processing or cooking of listed precursor chemicals.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 31-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Multimedia Pollution Prevention Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-30 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-30
Status: in_force

(1) The department may promulgate rules and regulations for nonresident permits in order to promote reciprocal agreements with other states.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in Section 49-15-46 , the department shall provide that residents of other states bordering on the Gulf of Mexico who are applicants for a commercial fishing license of any type as provided for in this chapter shall pay the same fee or fees that a resident of this state pays in this state for that license if the respective applicant's domicile state does not charge a greater fee or fees for a Mississippi resident than for a resident of any other state to engage in a like activity in the other state. If the applicant's domicile state does charge a greater fee or fees for residents of Mississippi than for a resident of the applicant's domicile state, then that applicant shall pay the same fee or fees that the applicant's domicile state charges residents of Mississippi.

(3) The department shall require a nonresident to purchase the same type and number of licenses and pay the same fees that are required of Mississippi residents to engage in like activity in the nonresident's state.

(4)(a) If an applicant applies for a nonresident commercial fishing license to engage in a certain activity and the applicant's state does not issue a nonresident commercial fishing license for that activity, then the department shall not issue such license to the applicant.

(b) If the applicant's domicile state has additional mandatory licensing requirements, the applicant must meet those requirements before receiving a nonresident commercial fishing license.

(5) Any nonresident who engages in the commercial taking of seafood within the territorial waters of Mississippi without having the required nonresident commercial license is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) and shall forfeit any equipment, gear or nets used in the offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-77 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-77
Status: in_force

The three (3) commissioners from the State of Mississippi 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 49-17-71 through 49-17-77 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of the aforesaid compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-65 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-65
Status: in_force

(1) Any political subdivision desiring to construct a waste disposal plant approved by the Office of Pollution Control of the Department of Environmental Quality, and which receives a loan from the state for that purpose, shall pledge for the repayment of such loan that part of the sales tax reimbursement to which it is entitled under Section 27-65-75 as may be required to meet a repayment schedule adopted by the State Tax Commission. The repayment schedule shall provide for monthly payments, the largest of which shall not exceed the average monthly payment for the term of years of the contract by more than fifteen percent (15%). The repayment schedule shall provide for the repayment of all funds received within not more than twenty (20) years from the date said loan is actually received by the political subdivision; however, the repayment schedule and the time for repayment of all funds received on loans renegotiated under subsection (6) of this section shall be modified by the State Tax Commission to conform with the terms of the renegotiated loan. The State Tax Commission shall withhold monthly from the amount to be remitted to a political subdivision, a sum equal to the next monthly payment.

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

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

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

(5) Funds on deposit in the loan fund may be used to make loans in aid of construction for water pollution abatement upon appropriation by the Legislature.

(6) The Department of Environmental Quality may, on a case-by-case basis, renegotiate the payment of principal on loans made under Sections 49-17-61 through 49-17-70 to political subdivisions located in 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; however, the maturity of the loans shall not be extended for a period of more than forty-eight (48) months.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-2-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 2-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-2-101
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 49-2-101 and 49-2-103 :

(a) “ Electronics ” means a personal computer, computer component, audio player, videocassette player, facsimile machine, copy machine, cellular telephone, wireless paging device, or any electronic item containing an intact or broken cathode-ray tube. An electronic item containing a cathode-ray tube includes a television, computer monitor, or any other cathode-ray tube monitor or display device.

(b) “ Recycler ” means a person who uses, reuses or reclaims obsolete electronic equipment and associated materials.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-69
Status: in_force

All fees and other sums received by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited to the credit of the “Seafood Fund”.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-70 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-70
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-70
Status: in_force

Before any political subdivision shall receive any loan, it shall have executed with the state tax commission a repayment agreement, a copy of which must also be filed with the bureau of pollution control of the department of natural resources, after which the bureau shall enter upon its minutes a certificate certifying that the waste disposal plant has been approved; a copy of which certificate shall be delivered to and filed with the Mississippi State Tax Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-76 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-76
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-76
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person to sell, barter or trade or to offer for sale, barter or trade any game fish enumerated in this chapter.

(2) Cobia may be sold in this state if the cobia is purchased from a state in which it may lawfully be caught and sold. Any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity which sells cobia in this state shall maintain documentation showing the state of purchase and date of purchase of cobia for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of purchase of the cobia. The Department of Marine Resources or any other law enforcement agency with which the department has a cooperating agreement may require any seller of cobia to document the date and state of purchase.

(3) Any person who cultivates a game fish as permitted under the Mississippi Aquaculture Act of 1988 may sell the game fish in accordance with the marine aquaculture program.

(4) A person who violates this section shall be punished as provided in Section 49-15-63 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-83 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-83
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 49-17-81 through 49-17-89 , the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed in this section:

(a) “Administrator” means the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

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

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

(d) “Emergency fund” means the “Water Pollution Control Emergency Loan Fund” created under Section 49-17-86 .

(e) “Loan agreement” means an agreement by and among the commission, a political subdivision and the State Tax Commission to evidence the terms and provisions of a loan under Sections 49-17-81 through 49-17-89 .

(f) “Loan fund” means the Water Pollution Abatement Loan Fund created pursuant to Section 49-17-61 .

(g) “Municipal security” means a bond, note or other evidence of indebtedness issued by a political subdivision to evidence a loan pursuant to the provisions of Sections 49-17-81 through 49-17-89 .

(h) “Political subdivision” means any county, municipality, utility, district, political subdivision, or other governmental unit created under state law.

(i) “Project” means a publicly owned wastewater collection, treatment or disposal system including sludge disposal, renovation, repair and upgrading of existing systems, nonpoint source pollution control management programs and estuary conservation and management programs, and otherwise qualified under rules of the commission pursuant to the federal Water Quality Act of 1987.

(j) “Revolving fund” means the Mississippi Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund created under Section 49-17-85 .

(k) “State” means the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-137 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-137
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Finance and Administration may lease for hunting, fishing and conservation purposes to the Quitman County Conservation League, Incorporated, a nonprofit domestic corporation, all wood lands owned by the State of Mississippi in Quitman County, Mississippi, and being a part of Camp “B” at the O'Keefe Farm of the Mississippi State Penitentiary.

(2) Any such lease shall be for a period and term of not more than one (1) year, but the same may continue from year to year until terminated by one (1) of the parties thereto.

(3) Any such lease shall be upon such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Department of Finance and Administration and the Board of Commissioners of the Mississippi State Penitentiary and the same shall have no force and effect until approved in writing by said board of commissioners and may be terminated at the pleasure of the board of commissioners, or the Department of Finance and Administration.

(4) Such lease shall provide that the use of such wood lands by the Quitman County Conservation League, Incorporated, shall be under the supervision of the commission. Any lease on this land shall provide that any citizen of this state shall be entitled to hunt and fish on these lands providing they shall comply with all laws and regulations pertaining to fishing and hunting and provided such person meets the membership qualifications and pays the membership fee in the amount of Three Dollars ($3.00) as set by the Quitman County Conservation League.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-141 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-141
Status: in_force

Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Natural Heritage Law of 1978.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the term:

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

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

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

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

(e) “ Illegal oysters ” means:

(i) All untagged shell stock;

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) “ Seafood ” means all oysters, saltwater fish, saltwater shrimp, diamondback terrapin, sea turtle, crabs and all other species of marine or saltwater animal life existing or living in the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-12 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-12
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-12
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Marine Resources and the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall comply with Sections 5-11-1 through 5-11-5 in the transfer of the marine law enforcement division.

(2)(a) All personnel actions initiated as a result of the transfer of law enforcement officers shall be subject to the State Personnel Board rules, regulations and procedures. The executive director shall implement a merit promotion system for all law enforcement officers. The merit promotion system shall be based on an individual's merit and length of service.

(b) The transfer of personnel shall be commensurate with the number and classification of positions (PINS) allocated to the Division of Marine Law Enforcement on January 1, 1999. The transfer shall also include direct support, clerical, data processing, communications and boating safety pins and resources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-27-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / Section 27-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-45
Status: in_force

If, upon hearing such appeal, it appears to the court that any testimony has been improperly excluded by the commission or that the facts disclosed by the record are insufficient for the equitable disposition of the appeal, it shall refer the case back to the commission to take such evidence as it may direct and report the same to the court with the commission's findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-81
Status: in_force

The commission may enter into agreements with the department for the purpose of providing camping and other recreational facilities on any such land acquired under Section 49-5-71 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-43
Status: in_force

(1) Any person found by the commission violating any of the provisions of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , or any rule or regulation or written order of the commission in pursuance thereof or any condition or limitation of a permit, except a permit required under the Solid Wastes Disposal Law of 1974 ( Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 ), shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), for each violation, such penalty to be assessed and levied by the commission after a hearing as provided hereinabove. Appeals from the imposition of the civil penalty may be taken to the chancery court in the same manner as appeals from orders of the commission. If the appellant desires to stay the execution of a civil penalty assessed by the commission, he shall give bond with sufficient resident sureties of one or more guaranty or surety companies authorized to do business in this state, payable to the State of Mississippi, in an amount equal to double the amount of any civil penalty assessed by the commission, as to which the stay of execution is desired, conditioned, if the judgment shall be affirmed, to pay all costs of the assessment entered against the appellant. Each day upon which a violation occurs shall be deemed a separate and additional violation.

Any person violating any provision of the Solid Wastes Disposal Law of 1974 ( Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 ), any rule or regulation made pursuant to that law, or any order issued by the commission under the authority of that law shall be subject to the penalties provided in Section 17-17-29 .

(2) In lieu of, or in addition to, the penalty provided in subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall have power to institute and maintain in the name of the state any and all proceedings necessary or appropriate to enforce the provisions of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , rules and regulations in force pursuant thereto, and orders and permits made and issued under those sections, in the appropriate circuit, chancery, county or justice court of the county in which venue may lie. The commission may obtain mandatory or prohibitory injunctive relief, either temporary or permanent, and in cases of imminent and substantial hazard or endangerment as set forth in Section 49-17-27 , it shall not be necessary in such cases that the state plead or prove: (a) that irreparable damage would result if the injunction did not issue; (b) that there is no adequate remedy at law; or (c) that a written complaint or commission order has first been issued for the alleged violation.

(3) Any person who violates any of the provisions of, or fails to perform any duty imposed by, Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 or any rule or regulation issued hereunder, or who violates any order or determination of the commission promulgated pursuant to such sections, and causes the death of fish or other wildlife shall be liable, in addition to the penalties provided in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, to pay to the state an additional amount equal to the sum of money reasonably necessary to restock such waters or replenish such wildlife as determined by the commission after consultation with the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Such amount may be recovered by the commission on behalf of the state in a civil action brought in the appropriate county or circuit court of the county in which venue may lie.

(4) Any person who owns or operates facilities which, through misadventure, happenstance or otherwise, cause pollution necessitating immediate remedial or clean-up action shall be liable for the cost of such remedial or clean-up action and the commission may recover the cost of same by a civil action brought in the circuit court of the county in which venue may lie. This penalty may be recovered in lieu of or in addition to the penalties provided in subsections (1), (2) and (3) of this section.

In the event of the necessity for immediate remedial or clean-up action, the commission may contract for same and advance funds from the Pollution Emergency Fund to pay the costs thereof, such advancements to be repaid to the Pollution Emergency Fund upon recovery by the commission as provided above.

(5) It is unlawful for any person to: (a) discharge pollutants in violation of Section 49-17-29 or in violation of any condition or limitation included in a permit issued under Section 49-17-29 or (b) introduce pollutants into publicly owned treatment works in violation of pretreatment standards or in violation of toxic effluent standards; and, upon conviction thereof, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) nor more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) per day of violation.

(6) All fines, penalties and other sums recovered or collected by the commission for and in behalf of the state under this section shall be deposited in the Pollution Emergency Fund established under this chapter, and the commission is authorized to receive and accept, from any funds and all available sources whatsoever, additional funds to be deposited in such fund and expended for the purpose of remedial, clean-up or abatement actions involving pollution of the land, air or waters of the state in violation of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , any rule or regulation or written order of the commission in pursuance thereof, or any condition or limitation of a permit.

(7) In determining the amount of any penalty under this chapter, the commission shall consider at a minimum:

(a) The willfulness of the violation;

(b) Any damage to air, water, land or other natural resources of the state or their uses;

(c) Costs of restoration and abatement;

(d) Economic benefit as a result of noncompliance;

(e) The seriousness of the violation, including any harm to the environment and any hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the public;

(f) Past performance history; and

(g) Whether the noncompliance was discovered and reported as the result of a voluntary self-evaluation. If a person discovers as a result of a voluntary self-evaluation, information related to noncompliance with an environmental law and voluntarily discloses that information to the department, commission or any employee thereof, the commission shall, to the greatest extent possible, reduce a penalty, if any, determined by the commission, except for economic benefit as a result of noncompliance, to a de minimis amount if all of the following are true:

(i) The disclosure is made promptly after knowledge of the information disclosed is obtained by the person;

(ii) The person making the disclosure initiates the appropriate corrective actions and pursues those corrective actions with due diligence;

(iii) The person making the disclosure cooperates with the commission and the department regarding investigation of the issues identified in the disclosure;

(iv) The person is not otherwise required by an environmental law to make the disclosure to the commission or the department;

(v) The information was not obtained through any source independent of the voluntary self-evaluation or by the department through observation, sampling or monitoring;

(vi) The noncompliance did not result in a substantial endangerment threatening the public health, safety or welfare or the environment; and

(vii) The noncompliance is not a repeat violation occurring at the same facility within a period of three (3) years. “ Repeat violation ” in this subparagraph means a second or subsequent violation, after the first violation has ceased, of the same statutory provision, regulation, permit condition, or condition in an order of the commission.

(8) Any provisions of this section and chapter regarding liability for the costs of cleanup, removal, remediation or abatement of any pollution, hazardous waste or solid waste shall be limited as provided in Section 49-17-42 and rules adopted thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 27-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-5
Status: in_force

(a) “ Coastal wetlands ” means all publicly-owned lands subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; which are below the ordinary high water mark; all publicly-owned accretions above the ordinary high water mark and all publicly-owned submerged water-bottoms below the ordinary high water mark and includes the flora and fauna on the wetlands and in the wetlands.

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

(c) “ Regulated activity ” means any of the following activities:

(i) The dredging, excavating or removing of soil, mud, sand, gravel, flora, fauna or aggregate of any kind from any coastal wetland;

(ii) The dumping, filling or depositing of any soil, stones, sand, gravel, mud, aggregate of any kind or garbage, either directly or indirectly, on or in any coastal wetlands;

(iii) Killing or materially damaging any flora or fauna on or in any coastal wetland;

(iv) The erection on coastal wetlands of structures which materially affect the ebb and flow of the tide; and

(v) The erection of any structure or structures on suitable sites for water dependent industry.

(d) “ Dredging ” means the removal or displacement by any means of soil, sand, gravel, shells or other material, whether of intrinsic value or not, from coastal wetlands.

(e) “ Executive director ” means the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources.

(f) “ Filling ” means either the displacement of waters by the deposition into coastal wetlands of soil, sand, gravel, shells or other material; or the artificial alteration of water levels or water currents by physical structures, drainage ditches or otherwise.

(g) “ Person ” means any natural person, partnership, joint stock company, corporation, unincorporated association or society, or the state and any agency thereof, or any county, municipality or political subdivision, or any other corporation of any character whatsoever.

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

(i) “ Water dependent industry ” means those commercial, industrial or manufacturing activities which, for purposes basic to their existence must occur or locate on or adjacent to the estuaries, sounds, channels, shores or marshlands of the coast. “ Suitable sites for water dependent industry ” means those areas of land which are suitable for the development of water dependent industry because of their proximity to waters of navigable depth, size and configuration, topography, soil conditions and access to other means of transportation. After consultation with local governments, port authorities, development commissions, port and harbor commissions and other interested parties, and after full consideration of zoning ordinances duly adopted by local governments, the department shall designate those sites it deems suitable for water dependent industry. The definition of “suitable sites for water dependent industry” shall be limited to, but not necessarily inclusive of, waterfront sites owned by county port authorities, development commissions and port and harbor commissions, and to areas that are now or are later made to be within one thousand (1,000) feet of the centerline of any natural or maintained channel having a depth of seven (7) feet or greater at mean low water. However, additional sites may be included in the definition of suitable sites for water dependent industry with the concurrence of the board of supervisors in the county affected.

(j) “ Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) ” means a mark on the shore determined by the department staff, established by fluctuations in water level and indicated by physical and biological characteristics including, but not limited to, water stains, changes in the character of the soil, scour lines, presence of debris lines, changes in plant communities and other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding area. The determination of OHWM shall not be made by the department staff during high tide where the above referenced characteristics are not observable. OHWM is not the same as mean high water and shall not be used for determination of the boundary between private property and public trust tidelands or for any purpose other than regulated activity as defined in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-205 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-205
Status: in_force

For purposes of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , the following words shall have the meaning ascribed herein unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Commission” shall mean the state forestry commission.

(b) “State forester” shall mean the forester appointed by the commission.

(c) “Eligible owner” shall mean either (i) a private individual, group or association, or (ii) an agency of state, local or municipal government, but the term shall not mean or include private corporations manufacturing products or providing public utility services of any type or any subsidiary of such corporations; provided, however, only one (1) owner of land owned in joint tenancy or tenancy in common and only one (1) member or officer of any group or association shall be eligible to apply for or receive cost-share assistance to be expended for development of any or all lands owned by such owners or group or association.

(d) “Eligible lands” shall mean (i) non-industrial private lands owned by a private individual, group or association, and (ii) lands owned by the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof, but shall not include lands owned by private corporations which manufacture products or provide public utility services of any type or any subsidiary of such corporations.

(e) “Cost-share assistance” shall mean the partial financial assistance in such amounts as the commission, in its discretion, shall determine, subject to the limitations of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 .

(f) “Approved practice” shall mean and include planting, seeding, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, site preparation, systematic planting of hardwood trees for game preservation and development, or such other forest resource development practice as the commission shall approve or determine proper generally or with regard to any particular applicant.

(g) “Forest development fund” shall mean the special fund established in the State Treasury, designated as the Forest Resource Development Fund, created by Section 49-19-227 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-323 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-323
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-323
Status: in_force

If any violation of any marine resources law or regulation is alleged to have been committed in the Gulf of Mexico outside of the state's territorial waters where the state has jurisdiction over the recreational or commercial fishing vessel, under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 USCS Section 1856 , or any other provision of federal law, the Department of Marine Resources shall have jurisdiction of the offense and may commence administrative enforcement action against alleged violators in accordance with the administrative procedures provisions of Section 49-15-401 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 27-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-15
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The department may schedule a hearing on any application; however, the department shall schedule a hearing on each application if, during the time period in which written objections are required to be filed, (i) a written request for a hearing is submitted by the applicant, or (ii) a hearing is requested or written objections are submitted to the application by a political subdivision, an agency, or five (5) or more persons affected by the application. At such hearing, any person may present oral or written comments on the application. Not later than sixty (60) days from the receipt of a complete application, the commission shall publish notice of the time period in which written objections to any application must be filed.

(b) The hearing must be held within twenty (20) days after the time period in which objections are required to be filed ends, unless a later date for the hearing is agreed to by all parties. Notice of the date on or before which objections must be filed shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the affected wetlands are located. The last publication of such notice shall be made not more than seven (7) days prior to such date. The published notice shall describe the site of the proposed activity and shall give a general description of the proposed regulated activity. Further, notice shall be given describing the date, time and place for the hearing by United States mail, postage prepaid, to each of the objectors and to the applicant at the address furnished to the commission by the parties, and by causing a copy of such notice to be published at least one time in one (1) newspaper having a general circulation in the county in which the affected wetlands are located.

(2) An applicant shall pay the publication fees and the costs of providing notice to the public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 39-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The Department of Finance and Administration shall provide the office space, staff and other support necessary for the board to perform its duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-15-64.4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-64.4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.4
Status: in_force

(1) Each live bait catcher boat engaged in taking live bait shrimp shall pay an annual privilege tax of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each boat engaged in those operations. The operations shall not exceed two (2) boats per license.

(2) Each “live bait dealer” engaging in selling or otherwise dispensing live bait to sport fishermen shall pay an annual privilege tax of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and must make written application to the commission providing the name of the applicant's “live bait catcher boat,” the name of the captain of that “live bait catcher boat,” the dealer's Mississippi state sales tax number and a sworn statement that dead shrimp will not be sold in containers having a volume in excess of sixteen (16) ounces. Licensed live bait catcher boats and licensed live bait dealers shall not operate as commercial shrimpers or commercial shrimp dealers or otherwise engage in commercial shrimping operations. Live bait dealers shall only sell or otherwise dispose of bait shrimp when alive or dead with heads attached solely as bait to recreational fishermen or other licensed live bait dealers as regulated by the commission. Only licensed commercial shrimpers may transport shrimp across the state line for the purpose of selling or delivering live bait to another state. Any person, firm or corporation found guilty of purchasing shrimp from a live bait camp or live bait catcher boat, other than for the purpose described in this section, shall be fined Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the first offense and shall be fined Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and forfeit all seafood licenses for a second or subsequent offense. In addition, each application for a “live bait dealer” license shall contain a statement of the operating hours, at least eight (8) per twenty-four-hour period, and the location of the camp which must be accessible to the general public by public road or waters located within the three (3) coastal counties. Applications for a live bait camp may be submitted anytime. Live bait camps may be inspected within thirty (30) days after receipt of the completed application. Any “live bait dealer” desiring to engage in the catching of live shrimp in one (1) location and then transporting them to the dealer's licensed live bait camp by truck shall first make written application to the commission providing the make and model of the truck, a Mississippi license tag number and shall be responsible for its adherence to all regulations duly adopted by the commission for the transportation of live bait shrimp. Upon receipt of the application, the commission shall verify that the applicant is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and after that verification the commission shall issue a permit authorizing the transportation of live shrimp.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-1
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Mississippi Commercial Quail Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-739 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-739
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-739
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 is to confer certain powers on the county authorities for the purpose of cooperating with federal, state and local public agencies for the further development of local and regional water, wastewater and storm water services within the Gulf Coast Region. In addition to the powers over water, wastewater and storm water, the Harrison County Utility Authority is granted power over solid waste within its jurisdiction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-59 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-15-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-3
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the term:

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

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

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

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

(e) “ Illegal oysters ” means:

(i) All untagged shell stock;

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) “ Seafood ” means all oysters, saltwater fish, saltwater shrimp, diamondback terrapin, sea turtle, crabs and all other species of marine or saltwater animal life existing or living in the waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 27-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-69
Status: in_force

All fees and other sums received by the commission pursuant to this chapter shall be deposited to the credit of the “Seafood Fund”.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 35-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23
Status: in_force

This article shall not:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Create or convey any real or personal property rights, tangible or intangible, to any person.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 26-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds that channel maintenance is necessary to preserve and enhance the economic stability and recreational potential of the coastal region. The Legislature declares it to be a governmental responsibility to provide for proper channel maintenance. The Legislature further declares that channel maintenance projects are in the public interest. Those projects should be funded to promote the use of cost-efficient strategies, encourage coordination among federal, state and local governments and the private sector, provide for long-term solutions and minimize the impact of the environment to the extent possible.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-9
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Each resident of the State of Mississippi, as defined in Section 49-7-3 , fishing in the public fresh waters of the state, including lakes and reservoirs, but not including privately owned ponds and streams, shall purchase a combination small game hunting and fishing license as provided in Section 49-7-5 for Ten Dollars ($10.00). Any resident purchasing a license as prescribed in this subsection shall be entitled to fish, in accordance with the regulations and ordinances of the commission, in all public fresh waters within the territory of the State of Mississippi.

(b) A resident may purchase a resident fishing license valid for a period of three (3) days for the sum of Three Dollars ($3.00).

(c) No license shall be required of any resident citizen of the State of Mississippi who has not reached the age of sixteen (16) years or who has reached the age of sixty-five (65) years or who is blind, paraplegic, a multiple amputee or has been adjudged by the Veterans Administration as having a total service-connected disability, or has been adjudged totally disabled by the Social Security Administration. Such person shall not be required to purchase or have in his possession a hunting or fishing license while engaged in such activities.

(d) A person exempt by reason of age, total service-connected disability as adjudged by the Veterans Administration or total disability as adjudged by the Social Security Administration or who is blind, paraplegic or a multiple amputee, shall have in their possession and on their person proof of their age, residency, disability status or other respective physical impairment while engaged in the activities of hunting or fishing.

(e) Any resident who is a member of the Armed Forces, including the Reserves and National Guard, and on active duty outside the State of Mississippi is not required to purchase or have in his possession a hunting or fishing license while engaged in such activities on leave from active duty. Such resident shall have in his possession and on his person such proof as may be required by the commission.

(f) The requirement for purchasing and/or having a hunting or fishing license authorized in this subsection (1) may be waived for any resident or nonresident who is an honorably discharged veteran with a combat-related disability and who will be participating in a special hunt, fishing trip or other outdoor recreational event that is available only to such persons as determined by the entity sponsoring the event. The commission is authorized to establish such criteria and/or procedures for an organization to be recognized as a sanctioned entity that provides unique outdoor recreational opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans. Any events sponsored by a recognized organization, and the persons participating in such event, shall be entitled to the waiver set forth above without further action on the part of the commission or the sponsoring organization.

(2)(a) All persons fishing in privately owned lakes or ponds shall have specific permission to do so from the owner of such lake or pond.

(b) Residents do not need a fishing license to fish in those waters, except when the owner of the lake or pond charges a fee for fishing, then a resident must have a fishing license to fish in those waters unless exempted under subsection (1) of this section.

(3) The first weekend of “National Fishing and Boating Week” in June of each year is designated as “Free Fishing Weekend.” July 4 is designated as “Free Fishing Day.” Any person may sport fish without a license on “Free Fishing Weekend,” and on “Free Fishing Day.”

(4) Any person authorized to issue any license under this section may collect and retain for issuing each license the additional fee authorized under Section 49-7-17 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-29
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Forest Improvement Revolving Fund. Money in the revolving fund shall be used by the State Forestry Commission, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to assist in the reforestation and growth improvement of the forests, woodlands, and publicly owned lands of the state, including sixteenth section lands, Camp Shelby, Columbia Training School and colleges and universities.

(2) Landowners who contract with the commission for such work shall pay to the commission its actual cost for conducting such work. Money received for this work by the commission shall be paid into the State Treasury for deposit into the revolving fund.

(3) Monies remaining in the revolving fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on the revolving fund shall be deposited to the credit of the revolving fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-81
Status: in_force

Sections 49-17-81 through 49-17-89 shall be known and cited as the “Mississippi Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and Emergency Loan Fund Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) To adopt, modify, repeal, and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and, where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the commission under Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 , and as the commission may deem necessary to prevent, control and abate existing or potential pollution;

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to grant to the commission any jurisdiction or authority to make any rule or regulation, recommendation or determination or to enter any order with respect to air conditions existing solely within the property boundaries of commercial and industrial plants, works, or shops or to affect the relations between employers and employees with respect to or arising out of any air condition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-13
Status: in_force

The boards of supervisors of the several counties are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to appropriate and pay to the state forestry commission from the general fund of the county each year a sum of money not exceeding twenty-five per cent of the forest severance tax received by the county the preceding year. Such money so appropriated shall be used by the state forestry commission for forestry work and protection in such county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 8-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-17
Status: in_force

Counties and municipalities may enact ordinances regulating or prohibiting the possession of wild animals if the ordinances are more stringent than this chapter or the regulations promulgated by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-15-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-31
Status: in_force

(1) The department may construct, maintain and operate all patrol stations, camps and related facilities as may be deemed necessary by the department.

(2) If a regulatory agency of a foreign state establishes a station or checkpoint through which Mississippi residents must pass for license, permit or catch inspection, or otherwise, the department shall establish similar stations or checkpoints through which residents of the foreign states shall be required to pass.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-80 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-80
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-80
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(3) Each boat or vessel engaging in the catching, taking or transporting menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi, the sum of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) and shall pay Fifty Dollars ($50.00) on each net, seine, trawl or purse net used in catching or taking menhaden in the waters of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 18-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-5
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person is not liable for removal costs or damages which result from actions taken or omitted to be taken in the course of rendering care, assistance or advice consistent with the National Contingency Plan or as otherwise directed by the federal on-scene coordinator or by the state official with responsibility for oil spill response.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply:

(a) To a responsible party;

(b) To personal injury or wrongful death; or

(c) If the person is grossly negligent or engages in willful misconduct.

(3) A responsible party is liable for any removal costs and damages that another person is relieved of under subsection (1).

(4) Nothing in this section affects the liability of a responsible party for oil spill response under state law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-22 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-22
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-22
Status: in_force

The Commission on Marine Resources is hereby authorized to cooperate with the Commission on Environmental Quality for the enforcement of the provisions of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 in and on the salt waters of the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-111 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-111
Status: in_force

Prior to undertaking the financing of any pollution control facility, the governing board shall obtain a finding of the pollution authority that the pollution control facilities are necessary and that the design thereof will result in the elimination, mitigation and/or prevention of air or water pollution.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 23-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-21
Status: in_force

In addition to the remedies provided in Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and which may otherwise exist under the laws of this state, the State Highway Commission is authorized to petition the chancery court of any county where any unlawful or unauthorized outdoor advertising sign, device or display may exist for injunctive or other appropriate relief. The owner or owners of each and every outdoor advertising sign, device or display shall be deemed to be doing business within this state in each and every county in which such owner or owners shall have erected, or cause to be erected, or maintained, and there shall continue to exist, an outdoor advertising sign, device or display. Once jurisdiction over the parties is obtained, such chancery court shall have such jurisdiction over the parties as is necessary in order to determine if any of said owner or owners' outdoor advertising is in violation of the provisions of this chapter, and to enforce the provisions of this chapter, as to each and every outdoor advertising sign, device or display of such owner or owners within this state, wheresoever located. However, any such action shall be res adjudicata only as to the outdoor advertising signs, devices or displays specifically made a part of such action; and the State Highway Commission shall be authorized and empowered to maintain any and all other actions as to other outdoor advertising of such owner or owners wheresoever located, but not specifically made a part of a previous action. The court may award costs of any action brought under this section, including court costs, expenses and reasonable attorney's fees, to the prevailing party.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / Section 39-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The Department of Finance and Administration shall provide the office space, staff and other support necessary for the board to perform its duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 35-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-27
Status: in_force

(1) Before January 1 of each year, the department shall report to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Senate Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee and the Chairman of the House Conservation and Water Resources Committee on the status of the implementation of the Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Program. The report shall include a list of all brownfield parties and brownfield agreement sites participating in the program, a map showing the location of sites, a brief description of the brownfield agreement for each site, including the location of the site, the agreement implementation status of each site and to the extent practicable, information on the redevelopment or reuse of each site. The report annually shall highlight those sites included in the program since the last annual report. If determined more practicable, the department may include the contents of this report in its annual report.

(2) Before January 1, 1999, the department shall conduct a survey of incentive programs in other states for cleanup of contaminated sites. Based on the survey, the department shall make recommendations regarding programs which it believes would be beneficial to encourage the cleanup of uncontrolled sites in this state. The department shall include the results of its survey and its recommendations in the report required under subsection (1) of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 18-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-5
Status: in_force

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person is not liable for removal costs or damages which result from actions taken or omitted to be taken in the course of rendering care, assistance or advice consistent with the National Contingency Plan or as otherwise directed by the federal on-scene coordinator or by the state official with responsibility for oil spill response.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply:

(a) To a responsible party;

(b) To personal injury or wrongful death; or

(c) If the person is grossly negligent or engages in willful misconduct.

(3) A responsible party is liable for any removal costs and damages that another person is relieved of under subsection (1).

(4) Nothing in this section affects the liability of a responsible party for oil spill response under state law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 25-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-23
Status: in_force

Federal funds appropriated to carry out the provisions of this chapter are to be apportioned to the commissioners' districts in the same manner as such federal funds are apportioned to the state, and matching state funds are to be apportioned to the commissioners' districts proportionately.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-14 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-14
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(e) Emissions and ambient monitoring;

(f) Modeling, analyses, or demonstrations;

(g) Preparing inventories and tracking emissions;

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

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

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

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

(9) No such fees shall be utilized by the Department of Environmental Quality or any other person for any purpose or purposes other than those purposes required by Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-45 , as they relate to the Title V program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-421 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-421
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-421
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monies collected under this section shall be deposited in a special fund which is created in the State Treasury. Unexpended amounts remaining in the special fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the General Fund and any interest earned on amounts in the special fund shall be credited to the special fund by the Treasurer. The fund may receive monies from any available public or private source, including, but not limited to, the fund, collection of fees, interest, grants, taxes, public or private donations and judicial actions. Monies in this special fund shall be expended by annual appropriation approved by the Legislature to administer Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 31-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-19
Status: in_force

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

(2) In order to orient students and their families to the minimization of waste and to encourage the participation of schools, communities and families in waste minimization programs, the school board of each school district in the state shall provide a program of student instruction in the minimization of waste materials. The instruction shall be provided at both the elementary and secondary levels of education.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 37-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Statewide Scientific Information Management Act of 1999.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-25
Status: in_force

The State of Mississippi hereby assents to the provisions of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (Public Law No. 415, 75th Congress, 1st Session), and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 (Public Laws 681, 81st Congress), and the commission may perform any acts as may be necessary to ensure the conservation of fish and wildlife. Revenue from hunting and fishing license sales shall be under the exclusive control of the state fish and wildlife agency for the sole use of the administration of the state fish and wildlife agency, which includes only the functions required to manage the agency and the fish and wildlife-related resources for which the agency has authority under state law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-719 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-719
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-719
Status: in_force

There is hereby created and established a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi to be known as the “Pearl River County Utility Authority.” The authority is composed of the geographic area of Pearl River County as defined in Section 19-1-109, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water, wastewater and storm water systems in order to ensure the delivery of water, wastewater and storm water services to citizens residing within the boundaries of Pearl River County. The Pearl River County Utility Authority shall be deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential public functions, and the Pearl River County Utility Authority shall be empowered in accordance with the provisions of this act to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-11
Status: in_force

The executive director shall keep a record of all applications and licenses issued by him and on the first day of each month shall deposit all monies collected under this chapter into the Game and Fish Protection fund. All monies thus collected and deposited shall be used to administer the mussel program by the department and the executive director for the enforcement of this chapter, and the game and fish laws of this state, for propagation and for biological investigation, and such other investigations as may be necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 35-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(2) The department may conduct a public hearing on the proposed brownfield agreement in the county in which the majority of the proposed brownfield agreement site is located, or in any other location in the local area of the proposed brownfield agreement site that is convenient to the members of the public who may have an interest in the proposed brownfield agreement. The department shall publish a notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties in which the proposed brownfield agreement site is located. The department shall provide to the commission for review before its consideration of the proposed brownfield agreement all public comments and the transcript of any public hearing on the proposed brownfield agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 23-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices in areas adjacent to state controlled routes should be controlled in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty. Any advertising device subject to Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 , and found to be in violation thereof, is subject to removal under the state's police power where not contrary to provisions provided herein. It is the intention of the Legislature in such sections to provide a statutory basis for regulation of outdoor advertising consistent with the public policy declared by Congress in areas adjacent to state controlled routes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-145 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 19-145
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-145
Status: in_force

The state forester of Mississippi shall act as “compact administrator” for the State of Mississippi and represent Mississippi in the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact. The “advisory committee” shall be composed of four (4) members as follows: (1) One member of the senate, (2) one member of the house of representatives, each of whom shall be appointed by the Mississippi Commission on Interstate Cooperation, (3) the state forester or his successor, or a comparable official, in the event of amendment to the present law, who shall be appointed by the governor and shall serve as chairman of the advisory committee, and (4) one member who shall be associated with forestry or forest products industries, to be appointed by the governor; each member shall serve for a term of four (4) years and be eligible to immediately succeed himself.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-717 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-717
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-717
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-64.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(4) The redesignation of beacon numbers by the United States Coast Guard shall not alter the description of the boundary described in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 25-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-23
Status: in_force

Federal funds appropriated to carry out the provisions of this chapter are to be apportioned to the commissioners' districts in the same manner as such federal funds are apportioned to the state, and matching state funds are to be apportioned to the commissioners' districts proportionately.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-41
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to fish, catch or take oysters from the waters of Mississippi during the hours between sunset and sunrise of each day.

Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisonment not to exceed one (1) year in the county jail, or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-69
Status: in_force

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

(2) The commission is hereby directed to promulgate and publish rules and regulations to implement the policy set forth in subsection (1) of this section. Such rules shall provide that persons exempted under subsection (1) of this section shall apply to the department for certification as to age or disability and shall be required to carry a certification card issued by the commission while engaged in taking above-mentioned marine life.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-507
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507
Status: in_force

In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the commission shall have the following powers and duties regarding lead-based paint activities:

(a) To adopt, modify, repeal and promulgate, after due notice and hearing, and where not otherwise prohibited by federal or state law, to make exceptions to and grant exemptions and variances from, and to enforce rules and regulations implementing or effectuating the powers and duties of the commission under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ;

(b) To issue, reissue, suspend, revoke or deny the issuance or reissuance of accreditation for lead-based paint activity training programs and to require the modification of those training programs;

(c) To issue, reissue, suspend, revoke or deny the issuance or reissuance of certificates for risk assessors, project designers, supervisors, renovators, dust sampling technicians, inspectors and workers involved in lead-based paint activities;

(d) To develop and require the use of work practice standards for lead-based paint activities and to monitor compliance with those work practice standards;

(e) To establish pre-renovation information distribution requirements and monitor compliance with those requirements;

(f) To enforce and assess penalties for violations of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ;

(g) To assess and collect fees for the accreditation of training programs, issuance and reissuance of certificates, and lead-based paint abatement and renovation projects;

(h) To develop an examination and grading system for testing applicants to be administered by accredited training programs;

(i) To establish requirements and procedures for the administration of a third-party certification examination;

(j) To enter into reciprocal agreements for accreditation of training programs and certification of risk assessors, project designers, supervisors, renovators, dust sampling technicians, inspectors and workers with other states that have established accreditation and certification programs that meet or exceed the accreditation and certification requirements adopted under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ;

(k) To apply for, receive and expend any contributions, gifts, devises, bequests or funds from any source relating to Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ;

( l ) To enter into, and to authorize the executive director to execute with the approval of the commission, contracts, grants and cooperative agreements, except as limited under Section 49-2-9 , with any federal or state agency or subdivision thereof, any public or private institution, or any other person in connection with carrying out Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ; and

(m) To discharge other duties, responsibilities and powers necessary to implement Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-501 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-501
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-501
Status: in_force

Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 shall be known as and may be cited as the “Lead-Based Paint Activity Accreditation and Certification Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-423 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-423
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-423
Status: in_force

The commission shall administer the expenditure of any funds made available from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund established by the Federal Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Public Law No. 99-499 , October 17, 1986, Public Law No. 99-563 , October 27, 1986, 42 USC Sections 9671 - 9675 , and shall have authority to promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to administer this program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-161 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-161
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-161
Status: in_force

For purposes of Sections 49-7-161 through 49-7-173 , unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meaning described herein:

(a) “ Migratory waterfowl ” means any wild goose, brant or wild duck.

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

(c) “ Stamp ” means the state migratory waterfowl stamp or the electronic equivalent furnished by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 23-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) The money received from the fees paid under this section to the department shall be deposited in the State Highway Maintenance Fund and may be expended, upon legislative appropriation, for any purpose for which other monies in such fund may be expended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-105 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-105
Status: in_force

All officers of the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized and directed to do all things falling within their respective provinces and jurisdiction necessary or incidental to the carrying out of said compact in every particular, it being hereby declared to be the policy of the State of Mississippi to perform and carry out the said compact and to accomplish the purposes thereof. All officers, bureaus, departments, and persons of and in the state government or administration of the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized and directed, at convenient times and upon request of the said commission, to furnish the said commission with information and data possessed by them or any of them and to aid said commission by loan of personnel or other means lying within their legal rights respectively.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-117 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 17-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-117
Status: in_force

The proceeds from the sale of any bonds issued under authority of Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 shall be applied only for the purpose for which the bonds were issued; provided, however, that any premium and accrued interest received in any such sale shall be applied to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the bonds sold; and provided, further, that if for any reason any portion of the proceeds shall not be needed for the purpose for which the bonds were issued, such unneeded portion of the proceeds shall be applied to the payment of the principal of or interest on the bonds. The cost of acquiring any pollution control facilities shall be deemed to include the following: the actual cost of the construction of any part of any pollution control facilities which may be constructed, including architect's, engineer's and legal fees; the purchase price of any land necessary therefor; the purchase price of any part of any pollution control facilities that may be acquired by purchase; all expenses in connection with the authorization, sale and issuance of the bonds to finance such acquisition; and the interest on the bonds for a reasonable time prior to construction, during construction, and for not exceeding one (1) year after completion of the construction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-201 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-35-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-25-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 25-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-9
Status: in_force

Any junkyard lawfully in existence on June 16, 1966, which is within one thousand (1,000) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of any highway on the interstate or primary system shall be screened, if feasible, by the state highway commission at locations on the highway right-of-way or in areas acquired for such purposes outside the right-of-way so as not to be visible from the main-traveled way of such highways.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-64.4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.4
Status: in_force

(1) Each live bait catcher boat engaged in taking live bait shrimp shall pay an annual privilege tax of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each boat engaged in those operations. The operations shall not exceed two (2) boats per license.

(2) Each “live bait dealer” engaging in selling or otherwise dispensing live bait to sport fishermen shall pay an annual privilege tax of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and must make written application to the commission providing the name of the applicant's “live bait catcher boat,” the name of the captain of that “live bait catcher boat,” the dealer's Mississippi state sales tax number and a sworn statement that dead shrimp will not be sold in containers having a volume in excess of sixteen (16) ounces. Licensed live bait catcher boats and licensed live bait dealers shall not operate as commercial shrimpers or commercial shrimp dealers or otherwise engage in commercial shrimping operations. Live bait dealers shall only sell or otherwise dispose of bait shrimp when alive or dead with heads attached solely as bait to recreational fishermen or other licensed live bait dealers as regulated by the commission. Only licensed commercial shrimpers may transport shrimp across the state line for the purpose of selling or delivering live bait to another state. Any person, firm or corporation found guilty of purchasing shrimp from a live bait camp or live bait catcher boat, other than for the purpose described in this section, shall be fined Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the first offense and shall be fined Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) and forfeit all seafood licenses for a second or subsequent offense. In addition, each application for a “live bait dealer” license shall contain a statement of the operating hours, at least eight (8) per twenty-four-hour period, and the location of the camp which must be accessible to the general public by public road or waters located within the three (3) coastal counties. Applications for a live bait camp may be submitted anytime. Live bait camps may be inspected within thirty (30) days after receipt of the completed application. Any “live bait dealer” desiring to engage in the catching of live shrimp in one (1) location and then transporting them to the dealer's licensed live bait camp by truck shall first make written application to the commission providing the make and model of the truck, a Mississippi license tag number and shall be responsible for its adherence to all regulations duly adopted by the commission for the transportation of live bait shrimp. Upon receipt of the application, the commission shall verify that the applicant is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and after that verification the commission shall issue a permit authorizing the transportation of live shrimp.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-59 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-31-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 31-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-7
Status: in_force

The purposes of this chapter are:

(a) To establish state policy with regard to the role of pollution prevention and recycling in waste management;

(b) To promote pollution prevention, reuse and recycling of waste in lieu of treatment or disposal of waste;

(c) To require all state agencies to aid and promote the development of recycling through the establishment of recycling programs;

(d) To require all state agencies to aid and promote the development of recycling through the establishment of policies for the procurement of goods containing recycled materials;

(e) To establish statewide pollution prevention and waste reduction goals;

(f) To provide for the creation and administration of the Mississippi Multimedia Pollution Prevention Program;

(g) To promote pollution prevention through the requirement of educational curricula for primary and secondary schools;

(h) To foster the education of the general public and the training of waste management professionals to reduce the production of waste, to prevent pollution and to encourage recycling;

(i) To establish and maintain a cooperative state program of planning and technical and financial assistance for the use of pollution prevention and recycling in waste management;

(j) To mandate waste minimization planning by certain generators and facility operators for the reduction of waste;

(k) To encourage the development of pollution prevention and recycling programs as a means of managing waste and conserving resources through planning, grants, technical assistance and other incentives;

(l) To encourage local governments to develop and implement recycling programs within their jurisdictions to return valuable materials to productive use and to protect capacity at waste management facilities;

(m) To further the development of the state's recycling industry by promoting the successful development of markets for recycled items; and

(n) To provide for the funding of the Mississippi Multimedia Pollution Prevention Program through the establishment of a pollution prevention fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-113 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-113
Status: in_force

In order to carry out further the program herein authorized, the state forestry commission be and it is hereby authorized to organize, divide or set up forest districts and areas throughout the state, which districts and areas shall be so organized, divided or set up in accordance with the distribution of forest land and the location of political boundaries as to best serve the interest of the state as a whole. The commission shall appoint a district forester and assistant district forester for each district and shall appoint an area forester for each forest area, all of whom shall be charged with the duty of directing forestry education, timber management, forest fire control and other necessary forestry conservation activities and practices as the commission shall deem necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 28-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-31
Status: in_force

Any bonds secured by a pledge of the special assessments shall mature at any time or times, not exceeding twenty-five (25) years from the date of the bonds, and may be in fully registered form or in bearer form, as determined by the board of commissioners.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-201 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-18-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 18-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-1
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the Mississippi Liability of Persons Responding to Oil Spills Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / 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. § 49-19-209 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-209
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-209
Status: in_force

The state forester is authorized to employ such professional and clerical assistance as is needed to implement the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , and to compensate such individuals from funds appropriated for such purpose.

The state forester is authorized to purchase equipment, supplies and materials and to maintain and transport equipment as is needed to implement the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , and to defray the expenses of such purchase and transportation from any funds appropriated for such purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-36 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-36
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-36
Status: in_force

(1) The Department of Marine Resources shall have full jurisdiction and control of all designated state-owned reefs and oyster bottoms of the State of Mississippi. In no event shall the department designate more than twenty percent (20%) of the permitted areas available as state-owned reefs.

(2) State-owned reefs may be opened for harvest of oysters during the season on a rotating basis. If the department determines that a particular reef has been overharvested or that a high percentage of sublegal size oysters exist on a particular reef and that harvest could damage future oyster crops, the department may close designated reef areas and keep them closed during the season.

(3) The department shall promulgate regulations regarding the closing of oyster reefs to protect the public health. When that testing indicates the oysters on the closed reef are suitable for consumption, the reef shall be opened for the taking of oysters as soon as notice of that opening may be made to interested parties. The authority to open or close oyster reefs under this chapter shall be solely within the discretion of the department. The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory or other certified laboratory shall cooperate with the department and shall conduct necessary tests to determine the condition of oyster reefs at the request of the department. The department may limit the sale of oysters for human consumption.

(4)(a) The department may issue special permits for the purpose of catching oysters outside the open season or in areas not normally open to harvest to those nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and which have on file with the Department of Revenue a tax exemption letter issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service.

(b) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the taking of oysters by the nonprofit organization and shall issue such regulations to all organizations upon request and at the issuance of the special permit.

(5) The department shall establish a reasonable period of time for depuration of oysters replanted from restricted waters. That period of time shall be consistent with the maintenance of the public health and may vary from time to time and from one reef to another in accordance with environmental conditions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-8-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 8-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-5
Status: in_force

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

(a) Order Primates:

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

(ii) Family Cercopithecidae:

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

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

C. Theropithecus Gelada (Gelada baboon);

(b) Order Carnivora:

(i) Family Canidae:

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

B. Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf);

C. Cuon alpinus (red dog);

D. Lycaon pictus (African hunting dog);

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

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

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

(v) Family Felidae:

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

B. Unica unica (snow leopard);

C. Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah);

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

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

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

(e) Order Artiodactyla:

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

(ii) Family Bovidae: Syncerus caffer (African buffalo).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-9-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-15
Status: in_force

The commission shall set hearings at such times and places, after having given thirty (30) days notice thereof by publication in some newspaper published in the State of Mississippi of general circulation within the state, at which hearings evidence shall be received in regard to the operation of boats and equipment in the taking of mussels in the fresh waters of this state. After such hearings, the commission shall issue reasonable rules and regulations in regard to same, and if the evidence so indicates, shall, in order to prevent the depletion of mussel beds and to insure the proper propagation of mussels, adopt such regulations as it deems necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-47 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 28-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-47
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be liberally construed for the purposes herein set out, the powers hereby granted being additional, cumulative and supplemental to any power granted to a board of supervisors by any general or local and private act of the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-25
Status: in_force

The department may appoint an advisory council of persons who may fairly be regarded as representative of all the various segments of the industry. This council shall aid the department in formulating policies and discussing problems related to the administration of this chapter and the advancement and protection of the industry.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-42
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) This section shall apply to all interests existing at the time of passage of this chapter and thereafter created, whether secured or unsecured.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-41
Status: in_force

(1) The commission may set the bag limits for game animals, birds and fish, unless the bag limits are established by the Legislature by statute.

(2) The commission shall have plenary authority to set the bag limits for white-tailed deer, and promulgate any regulations necessary to facilitate the exercise of that authority, consistent with best management practices, scientific data and subject to all existing applicable laws, rules and regulations of this state or the United States of America.

(3) The bag limit on antlerless deer set by the commission as authorized in this section shall not apply to private lands under the deer management assistance program or the fee-based antlerless program as approved by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-253 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-253
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-253
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 49-7-257 , an owner of property that has been seized pursuant to Section 49-7-103 , 49-15-21(2) or 59-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall file an answer within thirty (30) days after the completion of service of process. If an answer is not filed, the court shall hear evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture and forfeit the property to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks or the local law enforcement agency. If an answer is filed, a time for hearing on forfeiture shall be set within thirty (30) days of filing the answer or at the succeeding term of court, if court would not be in progress within thirty (30) days after filing the answer. Provided, however, that upon request by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the local law enforcement agency or the owner of the property, the court may postpone said forfeiture hearing to a date past the time any criminal action is pending against said owner.

(2) If the owner of the property has filed an answer denying that the property is subject to forfeiture, then the burden is on the petitioner to prove that the property is subject to forfeiture. However, if an answer has not been filed by the owner of the property, the petition for forfeiture may be introduced into evidence and is prima facie evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture. The standard of proof placed upon the petitioner in regard to property forfeited under the provisions of this article shall be by a preponderance of the evidence.

(3) At the hearing any claimant of any right, title or interest in the property may prove his lien, encumbrance, security interest or other interest in the nature of a security interest to be bona fide and created without knowledge or consent that the property was to be used so as to cause the property to be subject to forfeiture.

(4) If it is found that the property is subject to forfeiture, then the judge shall forfeit the property to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks or the local law enforcement agency. However, if proof at the hearing discloses that the interest of any bona fide lienholder, secured party, other person holding an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest is greater than or equal to the present value of the property, the court shall order the property released to him. If such interest is less than the present value of the property and if the proof shows that the property is subject to forfeiture, the court shall order the property forfeited to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks or the local law enforcement agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 28-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9
Status: in_force

If no petition requiring an election is filed or if three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of those voting in the election provided in Section 49-28-7 vote in favor of the creation of the district, the board of supervisors shall adopt a resolution creating the district as described in the resolution of intent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 33-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-7
Status: in_force

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

(a) “Act” shall mean the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Activity Act.

(b) “Forest or agricultural land” means any land in the state devoted to the growing of trees or the commercial production of agricultural products or timber, wood or forest products including nongame species where the land is classified by the county as forest, agricultural or open land and being used as forest or agricultural land in the performance of forestry or agricultural activities.

(c) “Forestry activities” means any activity on forest land associated with the reforesting, growing, managing, protecting and harvesting of timber, wood and forest products including nongame species.

(d) “Agricultural activities” means any activities included under Section 27-35-50(4) as agricultural purposes.

(e) “Inverse condemnation” means any action by the State of Mississippi that prohibits or severely limits the right of an owner to conduct forestry or agricultural activities on forest or agricultural land. Inverse condemnation shall not include an action by the state that is:

(i) A taking as defined in paragraph (l) of this section;

(ii) A result of police power to prohibit activities that are noxious in fact or are harmful to the public health and safety; or

(iii) An order issued as a result of a violation of state law; or

(iv) An action as prescribed by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks as set forth in Sections 49-7-1 through 49-7-257 or concerning the closing or shortening of open seasons as set forth in Section 49-1-29(a) .

(f) “Noxious in fact” means an activity that constitutes a public nuisance under common law.

(g) “Owner” means the holder of legal or equitable title to:

(i) Forest or agricultural land or timber, wood or forest products, including the management of nongame species thereon; or

(ii) Personal property rights associated with conducting forestry or agricultural activities on forest or agricultural land.

(h) “Prohibits or severely limits” means to reduce the fair market value of forest or agricultural land (or any part or parcel thereof) or timber, wood or forest products including nongame species (or any part or parcel thereof) or personal property rights associated with conducting forestry or agricultural activities on the forest or agricultural land by more than forty percent (40%) of their value before the action.

(i) “Public health and safety” means actions by the State of Mississippi based upon its police powers. Public health and safety actions prohibiting or severely restricting forestry or agricultural activities shall be:

(i) Taken only in response to real and substantial threats to public health and safety;

(ii) Designated to significantly advance the health and safety purpose; and

(iii) No greater than necessary to achieve the health and safety purpose.

(j) “State of Mississippi” or “state” means the State of Mississippi, any county, municipality or any political subdivision thereof.

(k) “State law” means any statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, resolution or similar action by the State of Mississippi validly existing and as interpreted on October 1, 1994. State law shall not include:

(i) Any judicial or executive interpretation of a state law after October 1, 1994, that prohibits or severely limits the conducting of forestry or agricultural activities that were not prohibited or severely limited before October 1, 1994; or

(ii) Any legislative amendment, interpretation or enactment by the state after October 1, 1994, that prohibits or severely limits the conducting of forestry or agricultural activities (except such actions that are the result of police power to prohibit activities that are noxious in fact or are harmful to the public health and safety).

(l) “Taking” means any action by the State of Mississippi under the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, or Article III, Section 17 of the Mississippi Constitution where the owner is entitled to compensation for the fair market value of the owner's property or some part thereof (or required to forfeit the property in accordance with state forfeiture laws). Taking shall include the formal exercise of the power of eminent domain, the seizure or forfeiture of property for violations of law or as evidence in criminal proceedings or the issuance of orders authorized by statute or issued by a state agency or court of law for violations of state law. Taking shall not include the repealing of any state action that lessens interference with the conduct of forestry or agricultural activities.

(m) “Personal property” means any interest acquired by deed, lease, contract or agreement in standing or severed timber, wood or forest products.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-32 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-32
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-32
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(5) It is the intent of the Legislature that fees collected pursuant to Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-45 shall not supplant or reduce in any way the General Fund appropriation to the Department of Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 26-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Recommend channel maintenance projects to the Legislature for funding which ensures the geographic coordination and sequencing of prioritized projects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-89 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-89
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) This section shall be deemed to provide an additional, alternate and complete method for the doing of the things authorized hereby and shall be deemed and construed to be supplemental to any provisions of any other laws and not in derogation of any such provisions. In connection with the issuance of municipal securities under this chapter, a political subdivision shall not be required to comply with the provisions of any other law except as provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-44 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-44
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-44
Status: in_force

(1) The permit board may require any applicant for a water pollution control permit for the discharge of effluent from any sewer system certificated or required to be certificated by the Public Service commission to provide a bond or other acceptable financial security instrument payable to the Commission on Environmental Quality and conditioned upon full and satisfactory performance of the requirements of the Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Law and any water pollution control permit issued under that law. Any bond shall be executed by the permittee and a corporate surety licensed to do business in the state. The commission shall establish by regulation the acceptable forms of financial security and the amount of financial security required for the various types and sizes of facilities. The purpose of the bond or other financial security shall be the protection of the public health, welfare and the environment.

(2) The commission may enter an order requiring forfeiture of the bond or other financial security, if the commission determines that:

(a) The continued operation or lack of operation and maintenance of the facility covered by this section represents an imminent threat to the public health, welfare and the environment because the permittee is unable or unwilling to adequately operate and maintain the facility or the facility has been actually or effectively abandoned by the permittee;

(b) Reasonable and practical efforts under the circumstances have been made to obtain corrective actions from the permittee; and

(c) It does not appear that corrective actions can or will be taken within an appropriate time as determined by the commission.

(3)(a) The proceeds of any forfeiture shall be deposited into a special fund created in subsection (5) of this section and shall be used by the commission or any receiver appointed by the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County to address or correct the noncompliance at the facility or to continue operation and maintenance of the facility. The proceeds shall be in addition to any other funds otherwise appropriated to the department and may be expended under the authority of this section without additional action of the Legislature.

(b) The commission shall file an annual report detailing the receipts and expenditure of the bond forfeiture fund with the Chairmen of the House and Senate Appropriation Committees.

(4) If the commission finds that a facility has been abandoned or that services of a facility have been terminated, the commission may enter any orders regarding continued operations of that facility as it deems necessary to protect the public health, welfare and the environment.

(5)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a fund to be designated as the “Water Pollution Control Bond Forfeiture Fund.” Monies in the fund shall be used by the commission or any receiver appointed by the court to address or correct the noncompliance at the facility or to continue operation and maintenance of the facility for which the bond or other financial security was forfeited.

(b) Expenditures may be made from the fund upon requisition by the executive director of the department.

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

(d) The fund may receive monies from any available public or private source, including, but not limited to, proceeds from bond or other financial security forfeitures, interest, and funds from other judicial actions.

(6) An appeal from any decision of the commission under this section may be taken as provided in Section 49-17-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(7) This section shall be applicable to new applications for water pollution control permits and to existing water pollution control permits upon application for reissuance or transfer of a permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-761 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-761
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-761
Status: in_force

Bonds issued under the provisions of this act shall not be deemed to constitute, within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation, an indebtedness of the county authority. Such bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues or assets of the county authority pledged therefor. Each bond issued under this act shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the effect that such county authority shall not be obligated to pay the same nor the interest thereon except from the revenues or assets pledged therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307
Status: in_force

The department shall have the following powers and duties:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) To discharge any other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-43
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of an appeal, the clerk of the chancery court shall serve notice thereof upon the commission, whereupon the commission shall within sixty (60) days, or within such additional time as the court may for cause allow, from the service of such notice certify to the chancery court the record in the case, which record shall include a transcript of all testimony, all objections, all exhibits or copies thereof, all pleadings, proceedings, orders, findings and opinions entered in the case; provided, however, that the parties and the commission may stipulate that only a specified portion of the record shall be certified to the court as the record on appeal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 23-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-15
Status: in_force

Any sign, display or device lawfully erected which does not conform to Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 shall be required to be removed before the end of the fifth year after it becomes nonconforming.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 33-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-13
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not affect any right or remedy granted an owner under the United States or Mississippi Constitutions or the laws of the United States and the State of Mississippi. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preclude an owner from bringing a legal challenge and seeking remedies at law or equity arising out of any action of the State of Mississippi regardless of whether the action constituted a taking, an inverse condemnation, or resulted in a diminution in value of forty percent (40%) or less.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-735 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-735
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-735
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) Upon consolidation, the following shall apply:

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

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

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

(d) All employees of the Southern Regional Wastewater Management District shall become employees of the authority. Nothing in this act shall affect the civil service status, if any, of those employees or their rights, privileges, obligations or status with respect to any pension or retirement system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-77 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-77
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful to hunt, trap, take, frighten, or kill game or fur-bearing animals forced out of their natural habitat by high water or fire until they have been permitted to return to such habitat by recession of such water, or the extinguishing of such fire.

All quail shall be protected from all hunting when the ground is covered by snow or when forced out of their natural habitat by high water or fire until they have been permitted to return to such habitat by the recession of such water or the extinguishing of such fire.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-209 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 19-209
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-209
Status: in_force

The state forester is authorized to employ such professional and clerical assistance as is needed to implement the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , and to compensate such individuals from funds appropriated for such purpose.

The state forester is authorized to purchase equipment, supplies and materials and to maintain and transport equipment as is needed to implement the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , and to defray the expenses of such purchase and transportation from any funds appropriated for such purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-77 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-77
Status: in_force

The three (3) commissioners from the State of Mississippi 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 49-17-71 through 49-17-77 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of the aforesaid compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that:

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

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

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

(2) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a statewide coordinated effort to provide for the management of scientific information to ensure the effective and efficient collection, management, dissemination and analysis of scientific information available to the state and to provide that information in a user-friendly format to governmental agencies, academic institutions, other public and private organizations and the general public for economic development, natural resources and environmental management and other purposes.