Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(5) It is the purpose of this section to authorize and empower the state forestry commission to control disease or insect infections or infestations in timber and timber products within this state. It is not the purpose of this section to transfer any powers from the state plant board to the state forestry commission. Use of the word “timber” shall be deemed to refer to such trees as are normally used in the manufacture of lumber and the term “timber products” shall be deemed to refer to products manufactured from such trees normally used in the manufacture of lumber.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-743 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-743
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-743
Status: in_force

From and after April 18, 2006, each and every county authority shall have, in addition to any other powers granted under any other provision of law, including, but not limited to, the following:

(a) To acquire, construct, improve, enlarge, extend, repair, operate and maintain one or more of its systems used for the collection, transportation, treatment and disposal of water, wastewater and storm water;

(b) To make contracts with any person in furtherance thereof; and to make contracts with any person, under the terms of which the county authority will collect, transport, treat or dispose of water, wastewater and storm water for such person;

(c) To make contracts with any person to design and construct any water, wastewater and storm water systems or facilities, and thereafter to purchase, lease or sell, by installments over such terms as may be deemed desirable, reasonable and necessary, or otherwise, any such system or systems;

(d) To enter into operating agreements with any person, for such terms and upon such conditions as may be deemed desirable, for the operation of any water, wastewater and storm water systems; and the county authority may lease to or from any person, for such term and upon such conditions as may be deemed desirable, any water, wastewater and storm water collection, transportation, treatment or its other facilities or systems. Any such contract may contain provisions requiring any public agency or other person to regulate the quality and strength of materials to be handled by the respective system or systems and also may provide that the county authority shall have the right to use any streets, alleys and public ways and places within the jurisdiction of a public agency or other person during the term of the contract;

(e) To enter into contracts with any person or any public agency, including, but not limited to, contracts authorized by this act, in furtherance of any of the purposes authorized under this act upon such consideration as the board of directors and such person may agree. Any such contract may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary; may be upon such terms and for such consideration, nominal or otherwise, as the parties thereto shall agree; and may provide that it shall continue in effect until bonds specified therein, refunding bonds issued in lieu of such bonds, and all other obligations specified therein are paid or terminated. Any such contract shall be binding upon the parties thereto according to its terms;

(f) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;

(g) To sue and be sued, in its own name, and to enjoy all of the protections, immunities and benefits provided by the Mississippi Tort Claims Act, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time;

(h) To maintain office space at such place or places within the county authority boundaries as it may determine;

(i) To invest money of the county authority, including proceeds from the sale of any bonds subject to any agreements with bondholders, on such terms and in such manner as the county authority deems proper;

(j) To require the necessary relocation or rerouting of roads and highways, railroad, telephone and telegraph lines, and properties, electric power lines, gas pipelines and related facilities, or to require the anchoring or other protection of any of these, provided fair compensation is first paid to the owners or an agreement with such owners regarding the payment of the cost of such relocation, and to acquire easements or rights-of-way for such relocation or rerouting and to convey the same to the owners of the property being relocated or rerouted in connection with the purposes of this act;

(k) To acquire, construct, improve or modify, to operate or cause to be operated and maintained, either as owner of all or of any part in common with others, any water, wastewater or storm water system within the county authority's service area. The county authority may pay all or part of the cost of any system from any contribution by persons, firms, public agencies or corporations. The county authority may receive, accept and use all funds, public or private, and pay all costs of the development, implementation and maintenance as may be determined as necessary for any project;

(l) To acquire, in its own name, by purchase on any terms and conditions and in any manner as it may deem proper, including by eminent domain, property for public use, or by gift, grant, lease, or otherwise, real property or easements therein, franchises and personal property necessary or convenient for its corporate purposes;

(m) To acquire insurance for the county authority's systems, facilities, buildings, treatment plants and all property, real or personal, to insure against all risks as any insurance may, from time to time, be available;

(n) To use any property and rent or lease any property to or from others, including public agencies, or make contracts for the use of the property. The county authority may sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, mortgage or grant a security interest for any property. The powers to acquire, use and dispose of property as set forth in this paragraph shall include the power to acquire, use and dispose of any interest in that property, whether divided or undivided. Title to any property of the county authority shall be held by the county authority exclusively for the benefit of the public;

(o) To apply, contract for, accept, receive and administer gifts, grants, appropriations and donations of money, materials and property of any kind, including loans and grants from the United States, the state, a unit of local government, or any agency, department, district or instrumentality of any of the foregoing, upon any terms and conditions as the United States, the state, a unit of local government, or any agency, department, district or instrumentality shall impose. The county authority may administer trusts. The county authority may sell, lease, transfer, convey, appropriate and pledge any and all of its property and assets;

(p) To make and enforce, and from time to time amend and repeal, bylaws, rules, ordinances and regulations for the management of its business and affairs and for the construction, use, maintenance and operation of any of the systems under its management and control;

(q) To employ and terminate staff and other personnel, including attorneys, engineers and consultants as may be necessary to the functioning of the county authority. The board of directors, in its discretion, may employ an executive director having the authority to employ and fire employees and other duties as determined by the board;

(r) To establish and maintain rates, fees and any other charges for services and the use of systems and facilities within the control of the county authority, and from time to time, to adjust such rates, fees and any other charges to the end that the revenues therefrom will be sufficient at all times to pay the expenses of operating and maintaining of the facilities and treatment systems and all of the persons' obligations under any contract or bonds resolution with respect thereto or any obligation of any person under any agreement, contract, indenture or bonds resolution with respect thereto. Such rates, fees, assessments and any other charges shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Public Service Commission;

(s) To adopt rules and regulations necessary to accomplish the purposes of the county authority and to assure the payment of each participating person or public agency of its proportionate share of the costs for use of any of the systems and facilities of the county authority and for the county authority's proportionate share of the costs of the utility board;

(t) To enter on public or private lands, waters or premises for the purpose of making surveys, borings or soundings, or conducting tests, examinations or inspections for the purposes of the authority, subject to responsibility for any damage done to property entered;

(u) To accept industrial wastewater from within the boundaries of the county authority for treatment and to require the pretreatment of same when, in the opinion of the county authority, such pretreatment is necessary;

(v) To control and operate local retail water, wastewater and storm water services, and may provide or be responsible for direct servicing of those services to residences, businesses and individuals; however, the county authority shall not provide the same services in an area provided by a public utility or person holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Mississippi Public Service Commission for the provision of such services in the certificated area. Any rates, fees, assessments or other charges shall not be under the control or regulation of the Mississippi Public Service Commission;

(w) To assume control and administer, within the county authority's jurisdiction, any water, wastewater or storm water system or systems by agreement or contract with any person if the person providing such services requests to be relieved of that responsibility. However, the person may maintain control over connections in their service areas and may charge rates, fees and any other charges in addition to the rates, fees and any charges of the county authority;

(x) The county authority shall have the power of eminent domain for the particular purpose of the acquisition of property designated by plan to sufficiently accommodate the location of water, wastewater or storm water systems and such requirements related directly thereto pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 27, Title 11, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The county authority may acquire by eminent domain property necessary for any system and the exercise of the powers, rights and duties conferred upon the county authority by this act. No person owning the drilling rights or the right to share in production shall be prevented from exploring, developing or producing oil or gas with necessary rights-of-way for ingress and egress, pipelines and other means of transporting such interests on any lands or interest of the county authority held or used for the purposes of this act, but any such activities shall be subject to reasonable regulations by the board of directors that will adequately protect the systems or projects of the county authority;

(y) To use any legally available funds to acquire, rebuild, operate and maintain any existing water, wastewater or storm water systems owned or operated by any person;

(z) To refuse to receive water, wastewater or storm water from any public agency or person; and

(aa) So long as any indebtedness on the systems of the county authority remains outstanding, to require by contract with a member public agency, or other person, that all water, wastewater and storm water within the boundaries of the respective county authority be disposed of through the appropriate treatment system to the extent that the same may be available, but no public agency shall be precluded from constructing, operating and maintaining its own such system after the current indebtedness owing on the system as of April 18, 2006, is paid in full.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 33-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5
Status: in_force

It is declared the policy of the State of Mississippi to conserve, protect and encourage the continued use, development and improvement of forest and agricultural land within the state for the production of agricultural products and timber, wood and forest products including nongame species. The vital and significant contributions of forestry and agricultural activities to the economy of the State of Mississippi and the use of land in the state as forest and agricultural lands are essential factors in providing for the favorable quality of life in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-422 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-422
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-422
Status: in_force

(1) An Underground Storage Tank (UST) Advisory Council is created to consult with the commission on all matters relating to the UST program, to conduct an independent study of the development and administration costs of the program and to conduct an annual review of administering such program. The costs to be included in the study for the program shall be those costs as provided in Section 49-17-421 . The council shall include in the study the type and quantity of underground storage tanks in the state that are covered by the program. After completing a study of the needs and costs of the program, the council shall recommend an equitable fee system for the program that is based on the type and quantity of underground storage tanks. The annual review for the program shall determine if the fee system is collecting sufficient funds to meet program needs and include any recommendation by the council regarding changes to the fee system. Each annual review report shall be due January 1 of each year to the commission and the executive director of the department.

(2) The UST Advisory Council shall be comprised of the following five (5) members:

(a) The President of the Mississippi Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (MPMCSA) or his or her designee;

(b) A member of the MPMCSA appointed by the Board of Directors of the MPMCSA for a term of four (4) years;

(c) A representative appointed by the President of the Mississippi Engineering Society, experienced in the assessment and remediation of petroleum contamination, for a term of four (4) years;

(d) A representative appointed by the Governor, of any company doing business in Mississippi in the installation, closure and/or testing of underground storage tanks; and

(e) A representative appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, of any company doing business in Mississippi in the installation, closure and/or testing of underground storage tanks.

The council members who are appointed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall have terms that are concurrent with the term of the appointing official.

(3) Original appointments to the UST Advisory Council must be made no later than January 1, 2019, and vacancies on the council shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointments. The council shall convene within sixty (60) days following the date of the appointment of the members, and must select from their membership a chairperson to preside over meetings and a vice chairperson to preside in the absence of the chairperson or when the chairperson is excused. The council shall adopt procedures governing the manner of conducting its business. A majority of the members constitutes a quorum to do business.

(4) Members of the UST Advisory Council shall serve without salary, but shall be entitled to receive a reimbursement of their actual travel and expenses, as provided in Section 25-3-41 , that are incurred while performing in the scope of their duties as council members. These expenses are to be paid on an itemized statement that is approved by the State Fiscal Officer from fees collected under Section 49-17-421 .

(5) The executive director of the department shall provide technical, clerical and other support services, including service by contract, as the council requires in the performance of its functions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 11-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-1
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter:

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

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

(c) “Operator” means a person licensed to operate a shooting preserve or a commercial wildlife enclosure.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-38 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-38
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-38
Status: in_force

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

(2) When hunting during any gun season on deer, the hunter must comply with Section 49-7-31.1 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-22 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-22
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-22
Status: in_force

Each person employed as a marine patrol officer by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources who retires for superannuation or for reason of disability under the Public Employees' Retirement System may, upon his request, be allowed to retain, as his personal property, one (1) side arm which was issued to him during his service, if funds are available for this purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 25-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-13
Status: in_force

When the State Highway Commission determines that the topography of the land adjoining the highways will not permit adequate screening of junkyards, or the screening of such junkyards would not be economically feasible, the State Highway Commission shall have the authority to acquire by gift, purchase, exchange, or condemnation such interests in lands as may be necessary to secure the removal or disposal of the junkyards, and to pay just compensation for the costs of relocation, removal or disposal thereof. When the state highway commission determines that it is in the best interest of the state, it may acquire such lands, or interest in lands, outside highway rights-of-way as may be necessary to provide adequate screening of such junkyards.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 35-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) Upon completion of the brownfield agreement, the brownfield party may petition the commission to determine that the performance of the brownfield agreement has been completed. If the commission determines after conducting an inspection of the brownfield agreement site that the brownfield party has completed the brownfield agreement, the commission shall issue an order. Following issuance of an order by the commission, the executive director shall issue a “no further action” letter. The letter shall include the following statement: “Based upon the information provided by (brownfield agreement party) concerning property located at (location), it is the opinion of the Commission on Environmental Quality that (brownfield agreement party) has successfully and satisfactorily implemented and completed the approved brownfield agreement. No further action is required to assure that the remediation required under the brownfield agreement is protective of public health and the environment in accordance with the existing and proposed uses of this property.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-5
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person to take, catch or kill mussels by means of any kind of apparatus or in any manner whatsoever in any of the fresh waters of this state without first having secured a license or permit issued in accordance with this chapter.

(2) It is unlawful for any person to take from any of the fresh waters of this state any kind of mussels in any manner for the purpose of culture or scientific investigation, without first obtaining a permit from the commission.

(3) It is unlawful for any person to take mussels by means of dredges, drags or scoops, other than hand tongs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 25-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-7
Status: in_force

No person shall establish, operate, or maintain a junkyard, any portion of which is within one thousand (1,000) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way of any interstate or primary highway, except the following:

(a) Those which are screened by natural objects, plantings, fences, or other appropriate means so as not to be visible from the main-traveled way of the system, or otherwise removed from sight.

(b) Those located within areas which are zoned for industrial use under authority of law.

(c) Those located within unzoned industrial areas, which areas shall be determined from actual land uses and defined by regulations to be promulgated by the State Highway Commission.

(d) Those which are not visible from the main-traveled way of the system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-31
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created a Joint Study Committee on Forestry in Mississippi. The committee shall study and make recommendations, including recommended legislation regarding the Forestry Commission, coordination of forestry policy, the coordination of overlapping conservation practices by state agencies, the seedling shortage and other matters related to the forestry industry.

(2) The committee shall be composed of the following members:

(a) The Chairman of the Senate Forestry Committee, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and two (2) members of the forestry committee appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(b) The Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and three (3) members of the agriculture committee appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(c) The Chairman of the Senate Forestry Committee and the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee shall serve as co-chairs of the committee.

(3) The members of the joint committee shall be paid from the contingent expense funds of their respective houses in the same manner as provided for committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session and shall obtain the approval of their respective management committees for per diem and travel expense expenditures of the committee.

(4) The committee shall utilize clerical and legal staff employed by the Legislature and may utilize any assistance made available to it by any state agency.

(5) Upon presentation of its final report the committee shall be dissolved.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-41
Status: in_force

In addition to any other remedies that might now be available, any person or interested party aggrieved by any order of the commission or the executive director shall have a right to file a sworn petition with the commission within thirty (30) days after the order was issued setting forth the grounds and reasons for his complaint and asking for a hearing of the matter involved, provided that no hearing on the same subject matter shall have been previously held before the commission or its designated hearing officer. The commission shall thereupon fix the time and place of such hearing and shall notify the petitioners thereof. In such pending matters, the commission shall have the same full powers as to subpoenaing witnesses, administering oaths, examining witnesses under oath and conducting the hearing, as is now vested by law in the Mississippi Public Service Commission, as to hearings before it, with the additional power that the executive director may issue all subpoenas, both at the instance of the petitioner and of the commission. At such hearings the petitioner, and any other interested party, may offer, present witnesses and submit evidence.

Following such hearing, the final order of determination of the commission upon such matters shall be conclusive, unless the petitioner, or such other interested party appearing at the hearing, shall, within fifteen (15) days after the adjournment of the meeting at which said final order was made, appeal to the chancery court of the county where the hearing was held, or of the situs in whole or in part of the subject matter of the hearing by giving a cost bond with sufficient sureties, payable to the state in the sum of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), to be fixed in the order appealed from, to be filed with and approved by the executive director of the commission, who shall forthwith certify the same together with a certified copy of the record of the commission in the matter to the chancery court to which the appeal is taken, which shall thereupon become the record of the cause. An appeal to the chancery court as provided herein shall not stay the execution of an order of the commission. Any party aggrieved by an order of the commission may, within said fifteen (15) days after the adjournment of the commission meeting at which said final order was entered, petition the chancery court of the situs in whole or in part of the subject matter for an appeal with supersedeas, and the chancellor shall grant a hearing on said petition and upon good cause shown may grant said appeal with supersedeas; the appellant shall be required to post a bond with sufficient sureties according to law in an amount to be determined by the chancellor. Appeals shall be considered only upon the record as made before the commission. The chancery court shall always be deemed open for hearing of such appeals and the chancellor may hear the same in termtime or in vacation at any place in his district, and the same shall have precedence over all civil cases, except election contests. The chancery court shall review all questions of law and of fact. If no prejudicial error be found, the matter shall be affirmed and remanded to the commission for enforcement. If prejudicial error be found, the same shall be reversed and the chancery court shall remand the matter to the commission for appropriate action as may be indicated or necessary under the circumstances. Appeals may be taken from the chancery court to the Supreme Court in the manner as now required by law, except that if a supersedeas is desired by the party appealing to the chancery court he may apply therefor to the chancellor thereof, who shall award a writ of supersedeas, without additional bond, if in his judgment material damage is not likely to result thereby, but otherwise he shall require such supersedeas bond as he deems proper, which shall be liable to the state for such damage.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-28-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 28-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any contiguous area situated within any county of the state located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and not being situated within the corporate boundaries of any existing municipality, and experiencing shoreline and beach erosion and other related problems, may become incorporated as a shoreline and beach preservation district in the manner set forth in the following sections. The purpose of the district shall be to provide for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and improvement of shoreline and beach improvement projects, including habitat restoration projects. This chapter shall not apply to Harrison County or Hancock County, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-201 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-201
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-201
Status: in_force

(1) There is established a beaver and wild hog control program which shall be developed by the Beaver and Wild Hog Control Advisory Board created in Section 49-7-203 and administered by the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce with the advice of the board or administered by a federal agency or agencies under an agreement with the board for that purpose. The program shall be limited to the control or eradication of beavers and wild hogs only on private lands or public lands, excluding federally owned lands but including lands whereupon easements are granted to a federal entity. The board may employ any personnel as is necessary to implement its duties to administer the program and set the salary of the personnel subject to State Personnel Board guidelines.

(2) Any state, local or private funds available to the board to fund the program shall be used to match federal funds available for such purpose. The board may execute any agreements with any agency of the federal government as are necessary to obtain federal matching funds to finance the beaver and wild hog control program. State funds may be expended for wild hog control only by a specific line-item appropriation by the Legislature for that purpose.

(3) Nonfederal funds to help finance the program may be obtained by the board from the following sources:

(a) Appropriations by the Legislature; state funds may be expended for wild hog control only by a specific line-item appropriation by the Legislature for that purpose.

(b) Contributions from participating counties;

(c) Charges on participating landowners; and/or

(d) Contributions from any other sources for such purpose.

(4)(a) Any county in the state desiring to participate in the program during its fiscal year shall contribute an amount established by the Beaver and Wild Hog Control Advisory Board for such purpose from any funds available in its general fund. The amount established by the advisory board shall be the minimum annual contribution required for a county to participate in the program. The minimum required contribution must be approved by three-fourths ( 3 / 4 ) of the advisory board members present and voting. In addition, a county may contribute an amount in excess of the minimum required contribution for administration of the beaver and wild hog control program in that county from any revenues available. The board shall establish the due date for the payment of contributions by counties.

(b) The sum of county contributions may be matched by nonfederal funds available to the state for the beaver and wild hog control program.

(5) Participating landowner means any person, corporation or association owning land in this state and taking part in the beaver and wild hog control program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-407 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-407
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-407
Status: in_force

Failure of the alleged violator to request an informal settlement conference, a hearing, or to respond to the complaint within thirty (30) days shall constitute a waiver of the right to a hearing, and any penalties assessed by the executive director shall be due and payable as provided in Section 49-15-415 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-15-103 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-103
Status: in_force

In pursuance of Article III of said compact there shall be three (3) members (hereinafter called commissioners) of the Gulf States Marine Commission (hereinafter called commission) from the State of Mississippi. The first commissioner from the State of Mississippi shall be president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission of the State of Mississippi ex-officio; and the term of any such ex-officio commissioner shall terminate at the time the said commissioner ceases to hold said office of president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, and his successor as a member of this commission shall be his successor as president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission. The second commissioner from the State of Mississippi shall be a legislator; and the term of any such ex-officio commissioner shall terminate at the time he ceases to hold said legislative office, and his successor as commissioner shall be named in like manner. The Governor (by and with the advice and consent of the Senate) shall appoint a citizen as a third commissioner, who shall have a knowledge of the marine fisheries problems. The term of said commissioner shall be for a period of three (3) years and, in addition, he shall serve until his successor shall be appointed and qualified. Vacancies occurring in the office of such commissioner from any reason or cause shall be filled by appointment by the Governor (by and with the advice and consent of the Senate) for the unexpired term. The president of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, as ex-officio commissioner, may delegate from time to time, to any deputy or other member of the Mississippi Seafood Commission, the power to be present and participate, including voting as his representative, or substitute at any meeting of or hearing by or other proceeding of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-17-518 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-518
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-518
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-767 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-767
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-767
Status: in_force

(1) The exercise of the powers granted by this act will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state, for their well-being and prosperity and for the improvement of their social and economic conditions, and the county authority shall not be required to pay any tax or assessment on any property owned by the county authority under the provisions of this act or upon the income therefrom; nor shall the county authority be required to pay any recording fee or transfer tax of any kind on account of instruments recorded by it or on its behalf.

(2) Any bonds issued by the county authority under and pursuant to the provisions of this act, their transfer and the income therefrom shall at all times be free from taxation by the state or any local unit or political subdivision or other instrumentality of the state, excepting inheritance and gift taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-9
Status: in_force

This chapter is supplemental and in addition to any other laws on related subject matters. Any license required under this chapter is in addition to any other licenses which may be required for commercial raising and sale of game birds or for the raising of game birds for propagation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 28-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any contiguous area situated within any county of the state located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and not being situated within the corporate boundaries of any existing municipality, and experiencing shoreline and beach erosion and other related problems, may become incorporated as a shoreline and beach preservation district in the manner set forth in the following sections. The purpose of the district shall be to provide for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and improvement of shoreline and beach improvement projects, including habitat restoration projects. This chapter shall not apply to Harrison County or Hancock County, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / Section 37-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Expend or distribute any funds or assets in its custody or under its control appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-35
Status: in_force

Upon the request of the boards of supervisors of the respective coastal counties, the department may adopt ordinances prohibiting the taking and catching of menhaden within certain limits of the coast line of the county so requesting, but the department shall not fix such limits except upon request of the board of supervisors, and such limit shall not exceed two (2) miles from the shore line, or two (2) miles from the corporate limit boundaries of any municipality bordering on the Mississippi Sound.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-86 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-86
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-86
Status: in_force

(1) Each vessel used in catching or taking any saltwater crabs in the waters of the State of Mississippi for commercial purposes shall obtain a license from the department and shall pay an annual resident license fee of Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) or an annual nonresident license fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).

(2) The department may require a recreational crabber's license for an administrative fee not to exceed Five Dollars ($5.00).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-33.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-33.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-33.1
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall allow the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed and may place any reasonable conditions or restrictions on such taking.

(b) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall establish a zone or zones of contiguous counties for the management and implementation of a program to allow the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed.

(c) The commission shall allow the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed on private lands only.

(2) The commission shall take any action it deems necessary and use its emergency powers to prevent the introduction of disease, to control disease, to eradicate disease, and to manage the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed.

(3)(a) The Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall study and analyze all relevant data and issues with regard to the taking of deer with the supplemental feed program, including, but not limited to, the impact that the program has upon the health and density of deer populations and other wildlife, its effect on surrounding habitat, the effectiveness of wildlife law enforcement, the extent to which hunters who participate in the program are successful in harvesting deer and are supportive of the program, the perception of the program by the general public, and the extent to which the program has a favorable impact on economic development and tourism.

(b) The department shall file annual progress reports with the Legislature. The department shall file a final report with recommendations on the feasibility of continuing the taking of deer with the use of supplemental feed.

(4) A violation of this section or any regulation of the commission promulgated under this section shall be punishable as a Class II violation as defined in Section 49-7-143 , and if the violator is a nonresident, then upon conviction, he or she shall lose the opportunity to obtain a nonresident license as defined in Section 49-7-8 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-38 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-38
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-38
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Unless otherwise permitted by the department, no oysters shall be taken from state-owned reefs unless culled, and all oysters less than three (3) inches from end to end, and all dead shells, shall be replaced, scattered and broadcast immediately on the reefs from which they are taken. It is unlawful for any captain or person in charge of any vessel, or any canner, packer, commission man, dealer or other person to purchase, sell or to have in that person's possession or under that person's control any oysters off the state-owned reefs or private bedding grounds not culled according to this section, or any oysters under the legal size. A ten percent (10%) tolerance shall be allowed in relation to any culling.

(b) The department may authorize the culling of oysters of a lesser measure. That authorization shall be in response to special circumstances or extreme natural conditions affecting the habitat, including, but not limited to, flooding. The department may establish checkpoints in any area within its jurisdiction to conduct inspections, collect fees and issue tags in the enforcement of this chapter and regulations adopted by the commission.

(2) The department shall acquire and replant shells, seed oysters and other materials, when funding is available, for the purpose of growing oysters.

(3) Any person, firm or corporation failing or refusing to pay the shell retention fee required under Section 49-15-46 to the department when called for by the department, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each sack of shells for which they fail or refuse to tender the shell retention fee. In addition to the fine, the violator shall pay the reasonable value of the oyster shells and shall be ineligible to be licensed for any activity set forth in this chapter for a period of two (2) years from the date of conviction.

(4) The planting of oyster shells as provided under this chapter shall be under the direction and supervision of the executive director of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-63 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 27-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-63
Status: in_force

The commission shall, from time to time, inspect the coastal wetlands to determine whether violations have been or are being committed. The commission or any authorized employee of the Department of Marine Resources may enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property in the performance of duty to enforce the Coastal Wetlands Protection Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-723 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-723
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-723
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 “Stone County Utility Authority.” The authority is composed of the geographic area of Stone County as defined in Section 19-1-131, 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 Stone County. The Stone 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 Stone 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. § 49-17-87 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-87
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4) Loans or any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness which are incurred or issued either pursuant to this chapter or Section 31-25-1 et seq. , in relation to this chapter, or pursuant to any other law as evidence of any loan made or indebtedness incurred pursuant to this chapter, shall not be deemed indebtedness within the meaning specified in Section 21-33-303 , with regard to cities or incorporated towns, in Section 19-9-5 , with regard to counties, and in any other state law establishing a similar indebtedness limitation with regard to political subdivisions other than cities, incorporated towns and counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / 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. § 49-19-205 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 49-13-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-5
Status: in_force

Any person, firm or corporation may engage in the business of propagating pen-raised quail for the commercial sale for consumption thereof by complying with the provisions of this chapter and may thereafter sell either live quail or the carcasses of such pen-raised quail either within or without this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 31 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-3
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(ii) Protection of wildlife habitat;

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

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

(v) Support of economic development through conservation projects;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) “ Working agricultural land ” means land area that is either arable, under permanent crops or under permanent pastures. Arable land includes land under temporary crops such as cereals, temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-401 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-401
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-401
Status: in_force

Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 shall be known as the Mississippi Underground Storage Tank Act of 1988.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-217 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 19-217
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-217
Status: in_force

If an eligible owner cannot provide his own resources or procure a private vendor to implement any approved practice, the commission, in its discretion, may act as vendor by utilizing employees, equipment, materials and supplies of the commission. In such event, the commission shall charge the eligible owner a sum equal to the established rate of the commission for providing such service. Payments for such charge shall be collected, received, and recorded in the same manner as other sales and services funds received by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 31-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) Establish and implement, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Finance and Administration, a source reduction program for materials, as determined by the Department of Environmental Quality, used in the course of agency operations. The program shall be designed and implemented to achieve the maximum feasible source reduction of waste as a result of agency operations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-729 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-729
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-729
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public, including the power and right to regulate and control solid waste within its jurisdictional boundaries.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-58.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58.1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) Violations of this section shall be punishable as provided in Section 49-7-58.6 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-92 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-92
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-92
Status: in_force

Upon the issuance and sale of such bonds, the State Bond Commission shall transfer the proceeds of any such sale or sales to a special fund in the state treasury to be known as the “wildlife heritage committee land purchase fund.” The proceeds of such bonds shall be used solely for the payment of the cost of the land described in Section 49-5-87 , which shall include costs incident to the issuance and sale of such bonds, and shall be disbursed solely upon the order of the committee under such restrictions, if any, as may be contained in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-115 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-115
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (c) of Section 49-5-107 , or any regulations issued under Section 49-5-107 or whoever fails to procure or violates the terms of any permit issued thereunder shall be guilty of a Class I violation and punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 .

(b) Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (c) of Section 49-5-109 , or any regulations issued pursuant thereto or whoever fails to procure or violates the terms of any permit issued under subsections (d) and (e) of Section 49-5-111 is guilty of a Class I violation and is punishable as provided under Section 49-7-141 .

(c) All law enforcement and management officers of the commission and other law enforcement officers authorized to enforce the laws of the State of Mississippi are authorized to carry out the provisions of Sections 49-5-101 through 49-5-119 . Any officer or agent may, without warrant, arrest any person who the officer or agent has probable cause to believe is violating, in his presence or view, any section, regulation or permit provided for by Sections 49-5-101 through 49-5-119 . An officer or agent who has made an arrest of a person for any such violation may search the person or business records at the time of arrest and seize any wildlife, records, or property taken, or used in connection with the violation.

(d) Equipment, merchandise, wildlife, or records seized under subsection (c) of this section shall be held by an officer or agent of the commission pending disposition of court proceedings, and may be forfeited to the state for destruction or disposition as the commission may deem appropriate. Prior to forfeiture, the commission may direct the transfer of wildlife so seized to a qualified zoological, educational, or scientific institution for safekeeping, costs thereof to be assessable to the defendant. The commission is authorized to issue regulations to implement this subsection.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 33-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-11
Status: in_force

The state shall not make a waiver of the provisions of this chapter a condition for approval of the use or continued use of real property or the issuance of any permit or other entitlement. The acceptance by an owner of any approval of use, continued use, permit or other entitlement shall not constitute a waiver of the rights of the owner to compensation for inverse condemnation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-729 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-729
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-729
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public, including the power and right to regulate and control solid waste within its jurisdictional boundaries.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 33 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that:

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

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

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

(2) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a statewide coordinated effort to provide for the management of scientific information to ensure the effective and efficient collection, management, dissemination and analysis of scientific information available to the state and to provide that information in a user-friendly format to governmental agencies, academic institutions, other public and private organizations and the general public for economic development, natural resources and environmental management and other purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-33 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / Section 28-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-33
Status: in_force

All special assessments levied under this chapter shall be payable in equal annual installments over a period not to exceed twenty-five (25) years, as determined by the board of commissioners, with interest from the date of the confirmation of the assessment at a rate, to be fixed by the board of commissioners, which will produce sufficient funds for the payment of all or a specified portion of the principal of and interest on the bonds as they mature and accrue and for fees and expenses for a paying agent or trustee, or both for the bonds. The amount to be paid through the special assessments may be limited by the board of commissioners to the amounts needed for the purposes specified in this section. Any property owner who shall not have taken an appeal from the assessment, upon failure to pay the assessment in full within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation, shall be deemed to have elected to pay the assessment in installments as provided in this section, and shall be deemed to have admitted the legality of the assessment, and the right to contest the validity of the assessment shall be waived. The installments of the assessment shall be due and payable at the same time that the annual real property tax becomes due and payable, commencing with the first county tax levy which is payable after the expiration of thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of the assessment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-415 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-415
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-415
Status: in_force

For the purposes of identifying the source of known or suspected pollution, developing or assisting in the development of any regulation, conducting any study, taking corrective action or enforcing the provisions of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 , any owner or operator of an underground storage tank shall, upon the request of any duly authorized representative of the commission: furnish information relating to such tanks, including tank equipment and contents; conduct monitoring or testing; and permit the designated representative at all reasonable times to have access to and to copy all records relating to such tanks. For the purposes of identifying the source of known or suspected pollution, developing or assisting in the development of any regulation, conducting any study, or enforcing the provisions of Sections 49-17-401 et seq. , any duly authorized representatives of the commission are authorized:

(a) To enter at reasonable times any establishment or place where an underground storage tank is located;

(b) To inspect and obtain samples from any person of any regulated substances contained in such tank; and

(c) To conduct monitoring or testing of the tanks, associated equipment, contents or surrounding soils, air, surface water or groundwater.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-44.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-44.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-44.1
Status: in_force

If the commission determines that any privately owned sewer system that is certificated by the Public Service Commission and within its jurisdiction has been actually or effectively abandoned by its owner, or that its management is grossly inefficient or irresponsible, and the abandonment or management has created an environmental problem that endangers public health, the commission may petition the chancery court of any county wherein the privately-owned sewer system is located for an order attaching the assets of the privately-owned sewer system and placing such sewer system under the sole control and responsibility of a receiver. Any person served by the sewer system shall have standing to intervene in the chancery proceeding as an interested party. If the court determines that the petition is proper in all respects and finds, after a hearing thereon, the allegations contained in the petition are true, it shall order that the sewer system be placed in receivership. The court, in its discretion and in consideration of the recommendation of the commission, may appoint a receiver who shall be a responsible individual, partnership, corporation or political subdivision knowledgeable in sewer service affairs and who shall maintain control and responsibility for the operation and management of the affairs of such sewer system. The receiver shall operate the sewer system so as to preserve the assets of the sewer system and to serve the best interests of its customers while protecting public health and welfare and the environment. The receiver shall be compensated from the assets of the sewer system in an amount to be determined by the court. Control of and responsibility for the sewer system shall remain in the receiver until the court determines that it is in the best interests of the customers and the public interest that the sewer system be returned to the owner, transferred to another owner, or assumed by another sewer system or public service corporation. If the court, after hearing, determines that control of and responsibility for the affairs of the sewer system should not be returned to the legal owner thereof, the receiver may proceed to liquidate the assets of the sewer system in the manner provided by law. Mississippi laws and Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure generally applicable to receivership shall govern receiverships created under this section. Any new owner or operator of a sewer system transferred or liquidated by the receiver or the chancery court under this subsection shall obtain all necessary permits and approvals from the Permit Board, the Public Service Commission and any other applicable state or local agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 28-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-45
Status: in_force

Any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter may be submitted for validation under the provisions of Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-53 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 35-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-53
Status: in_force

(1) If a person who is a bona fide prospective purchaser or owner, other than any person or entity who caused the contamination, of NPL property subject to restoration complies with all requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or state or federal law, which may be imposed with regard to the property, then he shall not be liable to persons other than the United States or the state for contamination or remediation of the NPL property subject to restoration.

(2) The immunity provided under this section applies to the following persons to the same extent as to the bona fide prospective purchaser or owner, other than any person or entity who caused the contamination, of the NPL property subject to restoration:

(a) Any person under the direction or control of the bona fide prospective purchaser or owner, other than any person or entity who caused the contamination, of NPL property subject to restoration with regard to the remediation or redevelopment of the NPL property subject to restoration, except that such person shall not be immune from any liability which may result from remediating or cleaning the NPL property subject to restoration when he remediates or cleans the property improperly or insufficiently or without complying with any order, rule or regulation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or Department of Environmental Quality or any state or federal law pertaining to the environment;

(b) Any future owner, other than any person or entity who caused the contamination, of the NPL property subject to restoration;

(c) Any person who develops, redevelops or lawfully occupies the NPL property subject to restoration;

(d) Any lender or fiduciary that provided financing for remediation or redevelopment of the NPL property subject to restoration; and

(e) Any successor or assign of a person to whom the immunity granted under this section applies.

(3) The immunity provided under this section shall be void if a person to whom it is granted fails to comply with any order, rule or regulation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of Environmental Quality pertaining to the NPL property subject to restoration, or any state or federal law pertaining to the environment.

(4) This section shall not create a defense against the imposition of criminal, civil or administrative penalties for violations of law on the part of the person to whom the immunity is provided. Further, this section shall not affect the right of any person alleged to have suffered damages in connection with the NPL property subject to restoration to seek relief against a person other than those described in this section as protected by the immunity.

(5) The immunity granted under this section shall not relieve any person from liability for payment of all costs reasonably related to the remediation of the NPL property subject to restoration which are required by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-28 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-28
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-28
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) In implementing the authority granted under this section for the Permit Board to act on water quality certifications required by Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, the Permit Board shall authorize the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to make decisions on issuance, reissuance, denial, modification and revocation of water quality certifications on projects which the department has received no written adverse comments. The Permit Board may authorize the executive director to make decisions on water quality certifications for other projects. A decision of the executive director made under this authority shall be a decision of the Permit Board and shall be subject to a formal hearing and an appeal as provided in Section 49-17-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 33-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5
Status: in_force

It is declared the policy of the State of Mississippi to conserve, protect and encourage the continued use, development and improvement of forest and agricultural land within the state for the production of agricultural products and timber, wood and forest products including nongame species. The vital and significant contributions of forestry and agricultural activities to the economy of the State of Mississippi and the use of land in the state as forest and agricultural lands are essential factors in providing for the favorable quality of life in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-43
Status: repealed

Oysters for sale either wholesale or retail may be packaged in glass jars covered with a screw-type top or lid of the type customarily and heretofore used in the seafood industry in the State of Mississippi, but this section shall automatically be repealed if and when such type packaging becomes prohibited by any agency of the United States Government for shipment in interstate commerce.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-309 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-309
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-309
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(5) The department is hereby directed to present all state record holders with a certification of achievement in marine recreational fishing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-425 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-425
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-425
Status: in_force

The disclosure of any records, reports or information obtained pursuant to Sections 49-17-401 et seq. shall be governed by the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, Section 25-61-1 and Section 49-17-39, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and the regulations of the commission promulgated thereunder.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 49-5-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-31
Status: in_force

The federal conservation acts for the protection of game and fish and applicable regulations are hereby made a part of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-6-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 6-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-6-1
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words are defined as follows:

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

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

(c) “Executive director” means the chief officer of the department.

(d) “Motor vehicle” means passenger automobiles, trucks, heavy trucks, tractors, graders, other heavy motor-driven equipment, and all-terrain vehicles.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-5
Status: in_force

The State Forestry Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to acquire and dispose of property of all kinds in accordance with the provisions of Section 29-1-1 , in order to discharge the duties as set forth in Section 49-19-3 , and subsequent germane general laws of the State of Mississippi.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the commission, and county foresters who are employed by the commission, is authorized to electronically accept bids for timber sales.

The commission is also authorized to sell, rent, lease, and dispose of any property acquired by the commission, all property to be sold or disposed of shall be sold or disposed of in the manner provided by law for the sale or disposition of surplus property by other state agencies. Any funds received from the sale, rental or lease of any property herein authorized, to be acquired, shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of a special account, and the commission is hereby authorized to use this fund for the replacement, repairs, and upkeep of any property authorized to be acquired and owned under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-91 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-91
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-91
Status: in_force

The commission may establish a maximum number of crab pots allowable per licensee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-147 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-147
Status: in_force

The compact administrator, with the assistance of the advisory committee, shall be authorized to do any and all things necessary in order to effectuate the terms and provisions of the compact contained herein, and Sections 49-19-141 through 49-19-149 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of interstate cooperation in fire control for the mutual benefit of the states participating therein. Among the powers conferred upon the compact administrator, but not limiting his powers thereto, shall be that of formulating and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revising a regional forest fire plan for the member states. It shall be the duty of the compact administrator of Mississippi in cooperation with those compact administrators in the member states to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for Mississippi and take such measures as may be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 11-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-21
Status: in_force

Any native wild game found on shooting preserves or commercial wildlife enclosures may be harvested only in accordance with applicable game and hunting laws and regulations issued by the commission or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-31-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-21
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall require waste minimization plans to be provided by each generator of hazardous waste who is regulated as a large quantity generator or a small quantity generator under Mississippi hazardous waste management regulations and each facility operator required to file a report under Section 313 of EPCRA. The generators and facility operators shall provide a plan for each site where waste is generated or chemicals are released.

(2) Waste minimization plans for large quantity generators and for facility operators required to file a report under Section 313 of EPCRA, shall include, at a minimum:

(a) A written policy describing ownership and management support for pollution prevention and waste minimization and implementation of the plan;

(b) The scope and objectives of the plan, including the evaluation of technologies, procedures and personnel training programs to ensure waste minimization;

(c) An explanation and documentation of waste minimization efforts completed or in progress before the first reporting date;

(d) An analysis of waste streams, and identification of opportunities to eliminate waste generation. The analysis shall include review of individual processes and facilities and other activities where wastes may be generated, evaluation of data on the types, amounts and hazardous and toxic constituents of waste generated, and potential waste minimization techniques applicable to those wastes;

(e) An identification of waste management costs;

(f) An identification of employee awareness and training programs to involve employees in waste minimization planning and implementation to the maximum extent feasible;

(g) The establishment of performance goals for the minimization of wastes which shall be expressed in numeric terms, to the extent practicable.

(3) The department shall develop appropriate, but less stringent, requirements for waste minimization plans to be prepared by small quantity generators.

(4) All generators and facility operators required to prepare a waste minimization plan shall update annually their waste minimization plan. The annual update shall include at a minimum:

(a) An analysis and quantification of progress made, if any, in waste minimization, relative to each performance goal established under subsection (2)(g) of this section; and

(b) Any amendments to the waste minimization plan and an explanation of the need for the amendments.

(5) For purposes of this section, a generator or facility operator shall permit the department or its designee to review the waste minimization plan.

(6) From the waste minimization plan and each annual update, the generator or facility operator shall submit to the department a certified report of the types and quantities of wastes generated, and the types and quantities of wastes minimized. To the extent practicable, the department shall coordinate the submission of this certified report with other reporting requirements placed on large quantity and small quantity hazardous waste generators and facility operators.

(7) The certified report shall include a narrative summary explaining the waste generation and minimization data, a description of goals and progress made in minimizing the generation of wastes, and a description of any impediments to the minimization of wastes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-17-411 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-411
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-411
Status: in_force

No person shall own, install or operate an underground storage tank without complying with the applicable regulations of the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-33 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-33
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful to hunt, trap or kill any wild bird or wild animal of any kind with the aid of bait, recordings of bird or animal calls, or electrically amplified imitations of calls of any kind, except a person:

(a) May use electrically amplified sound devices for hunting crow;

(b) May use liquid scents for any animal or bird;

(c) May use lures for trapping fur-bearing animals, according to regulations adopted by the commission;

(d) May take nuisance animals as provided in Section 49-7-31.5 ; and

(e) May take deer with the use of supplemental feed.

(2) The commission, in its discretion, may relax the restrictions regarding the use of lures or sound devices if a condition arises or exists, as decided by the State Board of Health or county board of health, that may endanger persons or livestock in a certain community, county or area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-17-413 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-413
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-413
Status: in_force

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

(a) Notification of abandoned underground storage tanks;

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

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

(d) Release detection, prevention and corrective action;

(e) Tank closure requirements;

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

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

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

(2) Variances and temporary emergency variances may be granted by the commission from any regulation adopted pursuant to Section 49-17-401 et seq.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-76 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-27-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 27-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-17
Status: in_force

The following parties shall be notified of a hearing by the commission by mail prior to the date set for the hearing, but a failure to meet this requirement shall not invalidate any permit granted thereafter:

(a) All of those parties who are entitled to receive a copy of such application in accordance with Section 47-27-13 1 of this chapter; and

(b) All known present owners of record of adjacent land as reflected by current tax assessment rolls and all known claimants to water or riparian rights in or adjacent to the coastal wetlands affected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 8-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-15
Status: in_force

A violation of this chapter is a Class I violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-141, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-69
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Funds on deposit in the loan fund may be used to make loans in aid of construction for water pollution abatement upon appropriation by the Legislature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 35-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-11
Status: in_force

(1) If the commission finds that the proposed brownfield agreement complies with this article and regulations, the commission, by order, shall approve the proposed brownfield agreement. After approval of the brownfield agreement, the executive director and the brownfield party shall execute the brownfield agreement.

(2) The commission may enter into a brownfield agreement as proposed by the department or may modify that agreement before entering into it. The commission subsequently may modify any brownfield agreement by entry of an order. The commission orders issued under this article shall be reviewable as provided in Section 49-17-41 . The commission may disapprove a proposed brownfield agreement or decline to enter into a brownfield agreement by entry of an order. In the order, the commission shall state the reasons for disapproval of the agreement or declining to enter into the agreement.

(3) Until the executive director issues a “no further action” letter under Section 49-35-15 , approval from the commission shall be required for any sale, conveyance or other change in surface ownership of any portion of the brownfield agreement site owned by the brownfield party desiring to make the change in ownership, if the new surface owner will perform any obligations under the brownfield agreement. That brownfield party and the new surface owner jointly shall provide information satisfactory to the commission that the new surface owner has the financial, managerial and technical resources to complete performance of the brownfield agreement obligations to be transferred and that the new surface owner agrees to complete this performance. If the commission determines that the new surface owner has the financial, managerial, and technical resources to complete this performance and has agreed to do so, the commission shall issue an order approving the transfer.

(4) Except for orders issued under subsections (1) and (2) of this section and Section 49-35-13(2) , the commission, under any conditions it may prescribe, may authorize the executive director to issue any orders required under this article. A decision by the executive director shall be a decision of the commission and shall be reviewable as provided under Section 49-17-41 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-73 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-73
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-73
Status: in_force

The commission may employ fiscal consultants, engineers, attorneys, real estate counselors, appraisers and such other consultants and employees as may be required in the judgment of the commission and to fix and pay their compensation from funds available to the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 31 / 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. § 49-7-58.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-58.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-58.1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) Violations of this section shall be punishable as provided in Section 49-7-58.6 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that:

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

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

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

(2) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a statewide coordinated effort to provide for the management of scientific information to ensure the effective and efficient collection, management, dissemination and analysis of scientific information available to the state and to provide that information in a user-friendly format to governmental agencies, academic institutions, other public and private organizations and the general public for economic development, natural resources and environmental management and other purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 37-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Expend or distribute any funds or assets in its custody or under its control appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 37-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Expend or distribute any funds or assets in its custody or under its control appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-17
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) The department shall keep accurate reports of monies handled as a part of the permanent records of the department, and the State Treasurer shall furnish the department such forms as may be needed, and the department shall account for such forms in reports to the Treasurer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-65 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-65
Status: in_force

The justice courts of the respective counties or county courts shall have original jurisdiction of any prosecution or suit brought under authority of this chapter, or of any violation of any ordinance duly enacted by the commission. However, from each decision or judgment, whether from a fine or imprisonment, there shall be allowed an appeal, and such appeals and trials shall be had as now provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-304 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-304
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-304
Status: in_force

The department, with the advice of the advisory commission, may adopt, modify or repeal rules or regulations to utilize, manage, conserve, preserve and protect the flora, fauna, tidelands, coastal wetlands, coastal preserves, marine waters and any other matter pertaining to marine resources under its jurisdiction. Rules and regulations adopted by the department shall be consistent with the public policy expressed in Section 29-15-3 (public trust tidelands), Section 39-7-3 (antiquities and historic preservation), Section 49-15-1 (seafood), Section 49-17-3 (pollution control), Section 49-27-3 (coastal wetlands protection) and Section 57-15-6 (coastal zone management). The department may make exceptions to and grant variances from any rules and regulations adopted by the department. The department shall give due consideration to permissable 1 uses of the natural resources within its jurisdiction when promulgating rules and regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-111 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-111
Status: in_force

(a) The commission shall establish such programs, including acquisition of land or aquatic habitat, as are deemed necessary for management of nongame and endangered wildlife. The commission shall utilize all authority vested in the commission to carry out the purpose of this section.

(b) In carrying out programs authorized by this section, the commission may enter into agreements with federal agencies, political subdivisions of the state, or with private persons for administration and management of any area established under this section or utilized for management of nongame or endangered wildlife.

(c) The Governor shall review other programs administered by him and, to the extent practicable, utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this section. The Governor shall also encourage other state and federal agencies to utilize their authorities in furtherance of the purposes of this section.

(d) The commission may permit, under such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by regulation, the taking, possession, transportation, exportation or shipment of species or subspecies of wildlife which appear on the state list of endangered species, on the United States' List of Endangered Native Fish and Wildlife, as amended and accepted in accordance with subsection (d) of Section 49-5-109 , or on the United States' List of Endangered Foreign Fish and Wildlife, as such list may be modified hereafter, for scientific, zoological, or educational purposes, for propagation in captivity of such wildlife, or for other special purposes.

(e) Upon good cause shown, and where necessary to alleviate damage to property or to protect human health, endangered species may be removed, captured or destroyed but only pursuant to permit issued by the commission and, where possible, by or under the supervision of an agent of the commission; provided, that endangered species may be removed, captured or destroyed without permit by any person in emergency situations involving an immediate threat to human life. Provisions for removal, capture or destruction of nongame wildlife for the purposes set forth above shall be set forth in regulations issued by the commission pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 49-5-107 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-3
Status: in_force

Whereas, the pollution of the air and waters of the state constitutes a menace to public health and welfare, creates a public nuisance, is harmful to wildlife, fish and aquatic life, and impairs domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational and other legitimate beneficial uses of air and water, and whereas, the problem of air and water pollution in this state is closely related to the problem of air and water pollution in adjoining states, it is hereby declared to be the public policy of this state to conserve the air and waters of the state and to protect, maintain and improve the quality thereof for public use, for the propagation of wildlife, fish and aquatic life, and for domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational and other legitimate beneficial uses; to maintain such a reasonable degree of quality of the air resources of the state to protect the health, general welfare and physical property of the people, and to provide that no waste be discharged into any waters of the state without first receiving the necessary treatment or other corrective action to protect the legitimate beneficial uses of such waters; to provide for the prevention, abatement and control of new or existing air or water pollution; and to cooperate with other agencies of the state, agencies of other states, and the federal government in carrying out these objectives.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 27-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23
Status: in_force

The commission may grant, issue, reissue, modify, deny, suspend or revoke permits and may prescribe limitations and conditions on permits. When taking such action on any permit, the commission shall consider the effect of the proposed activity with reference to the public policy expressed in Section 49-27-3 of this chapter. A permittee under this chapter must obtain a permit from the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality if required by that commission under Sections 49-17-29 through 49-17-43 , and nothing in this chapter is intended to waive the requirements and standards of such commission. A Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality permit granted to an applicant under this chapter shall be proof of the applicant's meeting any water quality standard considered by the commission under this chapter. Any conflict under this chapter between the commission and the Commission on Environmental Quality shall be resolved in favor of the Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission may undertake studies regarding water quality and submit the results of such studies to the Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that:

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

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

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

(2) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a statewide coordinated effort to provide for the management of scientific information to ensure the effective and efficient collection, management, dissemination and analysis of scientific information available to the state and to provide that information in a user-friendly format to governmental agencies, academic institutions, other public and private organizations and the general public for economic development, natural resources and environmental management and other purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-227 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-227
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-227
Status: in_force

There is hereby created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the Forest Resource Development Fund, fiscal management and responsibility for which is hereby vested in the State Forestry Commission and which shall consist of that portion of the privilege tax on timber and timber products as authorized by Section 27-25-11, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and any funds appropriated specifically therefor by the Legislature. The Legislature shall appropriate such sums as it may deem necessary including any proceeds of general obligation bonds which may be authorized by the Legislature for the support of the Forest Resources Development Program provided for under Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 . Those funds appropriated by the Legislature remaining in the special fund at the end of any fiscal year shall lapse into the General Fund, but other funds shall remain in the special fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-731 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-731
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-731
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 “Jackson County Utility Authority.” The authority is composed of the geographic area of Jackson County as defined in Section 19-1-59, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water and wastewater systems in order to ensure the delivery of water and wastewater services to citizens residing within the boundaries of Jackson County.

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

(3) Upon consolidation the following shall apply:

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

(b) All debts, liabilities, obligations, agreements, contracts and covenants of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority are hereby imposed upon the Jackson County Utility Authority. Any property of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority in which a mortgage or security interest has been granted to any bondholders or other creditors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority 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 Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority and persons having claims against or contracts with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority of any kind or character may enforce those debts, claims and contracts against the Jackson County Utility Authority in the same manner as they might have against the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority, 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 Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority shall continue to be in effect as the regulations of the Jackson County Utility Authority until amended, supplemented or rescinded by the Jackson County Utility Authority in accordance with law; and

(d) All employees of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority shall become employees of the Jackson County Utility Authority. Nothing in this act shall affect the civil service status, if any, of those employees or their rights, privileges, obligations or status with respect to any pension or retirement system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-27
Status: in_force

The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Secretary of Commerce as provided by Title 23, United States Code, relating to the control of outdoor advertising in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems, including the establishment of information centers at safety rest areas, and to take action in the name of the state to comply with the terms of such agreement, provided that the state highway commission shall not have power to enter into any agreement calling for more restrictive control of outdoor advertising than that provided for in Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-17-419 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-419
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-419
Status: in_force

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

The commission may use the Pollution Emergency Fund for emergency or remedial cleanup of underground storage tank leaks when the tank owner will not take timely and effective action. In the event of the necessity for such immediate remedial or cleanup action, the commission may contract for same and advance funds from the Pollution Emergency Fund to pay the costs thereof, such advancements to be repaid to the Pollution Emergency Fund upon recovery by the commission from the tank owner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-147 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 19-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-147
Status: in_force

The compact administrator, with the assistance of the advisory committee, shall be authorized to do any and all things necessary in order to effectuate the terms and provisions of the compact contained herein, and Sections 49-19-141 through 49-19-149 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of interstate cooperation in fire control for the mutual benefit of the states participating therein. Among the powers conferred upon the compact administrator, but not limiting his powers thereto, shall be that of formulating and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revising a regional forest fire plan for the member states. It shall be the duty of the compact administrator of Mississippi in cooperation with those compact administrators in the member states to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for Mississippi and take such measures as may be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-763 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-763
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-763
Status: in_force

The county authority shall have power in connection with the issuance of its bonds pursuant to this act to:

(a) Covenant as to the use of any or all of its property, real or personal;

(b) Redeem the bonds, to covenant for their redemption and to provide the terms and conditions thereof;

(c) Covenant to charge rates, fees and charges sufficient to meet operating and maintenance expenses, renewals and replacements, principal and debt service on bonds, creation and maintenance of any reserves required by a bonds resolution, trust indenture or other security instrument and to provide for any margins or coverages over and above debt service on the bonds deemed desirable for the marketability of the bonds;

(d) Covenant and prescribe as to events of default and terms and conditions upon which any or all of its bonds shall become or may be declared due before maturity, as to the terms and conditions upon which such declaration and its consequences may be waived and as to the consequences of default and the remedies of the registered owners of the bonds;

(e) Covenant as to the mortgage or pledge of or the grant of a security interest in any real or personal property and all or any part of the revenues from any designated system or any part thereof or any revenue-producing contract or contracts made by a county authority with any person to secure the payment of bonds, subject to such agreements with the registered owners of bonds as may then exist;

(f) Covenant as to the custody, collection, securing, investment and payment of any revenues, assets, monies, funds or property with respect to which a county authority may have any rights or interest;

(g) Covenant as to the purposes to which the proceeds from the sale of any bonds then or thereafter to be issued may be applied, and the pledge of such proceeds to secure the payment of the bonds;

(h) Covenant as to the limitations on the issuance of any additional bonds, the terms upon which additional bonds may be issued and secured, and the refunding of outstanding bonds;

(i) Covenant as to the rank or priority of any bonds with respect to any lien or security;

(j) Covenant as to the procedure by which the terms of any contract with or for the benefit of the registered owners of bonds may be amended or abrogated, the amount of bonds the registered owners of which must consent thereto, and the manner in which such consent may be given;

(k) Covenant as to the custody of any of its properties or investments, the safekeeping thereof, the insurance to be carried thereon, and the use and disposition of insurance proceeds;

(l) Covenant as to the vesting in a trustee or trustees, within or outside the state, of such properties, rights, powers and duties in trust as such county authority may determine;

(m) Covenant as to the appointing and providing for the duties and obligations of a paying agent or paying agents or other fiduciaries within or outside the state;

(n) Make all other covenants and to do any and all such acts and things as may be necessary or convenient or desirable in order to secure its bonds, or in the absolute discretion of the county authority tend to make the bonds more marketable, notwithstanding that such covenants, acts or things may not be enumerated herein; it being the intention hereof to give any county authority power to do all things in the issuance of bonds and in the provisions for security thereof which are not inconsistent with the Constitution of the state; and

(o) Execute all instruments necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers herein granted or in the performance of covenants or duties, which may contain such covenants and provisions, as any purchaser of the bonds of the county authority may reasonably require.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-27-57 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 27-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-57
Status: in_force

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

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

(c) It shall be a misdemeanor to materially harm or disturb scientific devices and recording instruments left in coastal wetlands by authorized agencies of the state or federal government, and a violation of this subsection shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-7-151 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-151
Status: in_force

Recognizing the inestimable importance to the state and its citizens of conserving the wildlife resources of Mississippi and recognizing the desires of many citizens who wish to make a lifetime contribution to preserve our rich legacy of wildlife resources for future generations, it is the intention of the Legislature to create a lifetime sportsman license and the Mississippi Wildlife Endowment Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-67 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-67
Status: in_force

Any coastal wetlands now assessed for ad valorem taxes against the abutting landowner shall be excluded from the assessment of the said landowner's property upon proper application being made as otherwise provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-15-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-5
Status: in_force

All seafoods existing or living in waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi not held in private ownership legally acquired, and all beds and bottoms of rivers, streams, bayous, lagoons, lakes, bays, sounds and inlets bordering on or connecting with the Gulf of Mexico or Mississippi Sound within such territorial jurisdiction, including all oysters and other shell fish and parts thereof grown thereon, either naturally or cultivated, shall be, continue, and remain the property of the State of Mississippi, to be held in trust for the people thereof until title thereto shall be legally divested in the manner and form hereinafter authorized, and the same shall be under the exclusive control of the department until the right of private ownership shall vest therein as hereinafter provided.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-1
Status: in_force

Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 may be cited as the “Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Law.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 28-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-23
Status: in_force

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

(2) If provided in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds and agreed to by resolution of the board of supervisors authorizing the board of commissioners of the district to make a pledge, then when there are insufficient revenues received from special assessments authorized under Section 49-28-29 and the avails of the ad valorem tax levy authorized under Section 49-28-27 , or from both together, according to the provisions made in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds, to meet the interest or principal payments, or both, when due on any bonds issued under this chapter (excluding for this purpose any amounts in a reserve fund for those bonds), then, upon certification of that fact by the board of commissioners of the district to the board of supervisors, the board of supervisors shall levy an ad valorem tax on all taxable property within the geographical limits of the district. The avails of the tax, together with any other monies available for that purpose, shall be sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds as the principal and interest falls due. If provided in the proceedings for the issuance of the bonds, the avails of the tax may also be used to replenish any reserve fund established for the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-409
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-409
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(e) Any provisions of this section and chapter regarding liability for the costs of clean-up, removal, remediation or abatement of any pollution, hazardous waste or solid waste shall be limited as provided in Section 49-17-42 and rules adopted thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / 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. § 49-33-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-17-26 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-26
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-26
Status: in_force

If the commission determines, after adequate scientific investigation and evaluation, that a chemical as defined in Sections 69-23-3 and 75-47-5(a) in the underground water exceeds or is likely to exceed duly adopted state standards and that the source of the chemical is not within the regulatory jurisdiction of the commission, the commission shall notify the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, which shall proceed in accordance with Section 69-23-7 and other existing laws.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-117 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-19-179 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-179
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-179
Status: in_force

Among the other rights and powers conferred by Sections 49-19-171 through 49-19-179 , but not limiting the same, is the right and power of this state to go to the assistance of a member state and to accept aid and assistance from a member state, paying therefor under the terms and provisions of Articles IV and V of the compact contained herein; and the State of Mississippi pledges hereby that it will pay any sums due under this compact for the employment of personnel or otherwise where assistance is rendered to Mississippi by a member state. Articles IV and V are hereby ratified, confirmed and approved.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 28-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-11
Status: in_force

If the creation of the district is initiated by petition, the board of supervisors may bear the costs of meeting the requirements of this chapter or may require the parties filing the petition to bear the costs. The board of supervisors may require the execution of a cost bond by the parties filing the petition. The bond shall be in an amount and with good sureties to guarantee the payment of any costs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-745 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-745
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-745
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The county authority may control and operate the local retail water, wastewater or storm water services and may provide or be responsible for direct servicing of those services to residences, businesses and individuals; however, the county authority shall not provide the same service in an area provided by a public utility or person holding a certificate of public convenience and necessity issued by the Mississippi Public Service Commission for the provision of such services in the certificated area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-108 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-108
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-108
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is the intent of the legislature that the terms used in this section shall have the meanings set forth in Section 49-17-101 .