Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-85 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-85
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-85
Status: in_force

(1) There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the “Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund,” which shall be administered by the commission acting through the department. The revolving fund may receive bond proceeds and funds appropriated or otherwise made available by the Legislature in any manner and funds from any other source, public or private. The revolving fund shall be maintained in perpetuity for the purposes established in this section.

(2) There is established in the State Treasury a fund to be known as the “Water Pollution Control Hardship Grants Fund,” which shall be administered by the commission acting through the department. The grants fund shall be maintained in perpetuity for the purposes established in this section. Any interest earned on monies in the grants fund shall be credited to that fund.

(3) The commission shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the revolving fund program, the hardship grants program and for related programs authorized under this section. The regulations shall be in accordance with the federal Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended, and regulations and guidance issued under that act. The commission may enter into capitalization grant agreements with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and may accept capitalization grant awards made under Title VI of the Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended.

(4) The commission shall establish a loan program which shall commence after October 1, 1988, to assist political subdivisions in the construction of water pollution control projects. Loans from the revolving fund may be made to political subdivisions as set forth in a loan agreement in amounts not exceeding one hundred percent (100%) of eligible project costs as established by the commission. Notwithstanding loan amount limitations set forth in Section 49-17-61 , the commission may require local participation or funding from other sources, or otherwise limit the percentage of costs covered by loans from the revolving fund. The commission may establish a maximum amount for any loan in order to provide for broad and equitable participation in the program.

(5) The commission shall establish a hardship grants program for rural communities, which shall commence after July 1, 1997, to assist severely economically disadvantaged small rural political subdivisions in the construction of water pollution control projects. The commission may receive and administer state or federal funds, or both, appropriated for the operation of this grants program and may take all actions necessary to implement the program in accordance with the federal hardship grants program. The hardship grants program shall operate in conjunction with the revolving loan program administered under this section.

(6) The commission shall act for the state in all matters and with respect to all determinations under Title VI of the federal Water Quality Act of 1987, as amended, and the federal Omnibus Appropriations and Recision Act of 1996.

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

(a) To make loans on the condition that:

(i) The loans are made at or below market interest rates, at terms not to exceed the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion; the interest rate and term may vary from time to time and from loan to loan at the discretion of the commission;

(ii) Periodic principal and interest payments will commence when required by the commission but not later than one (1) year after project completion and all loans will be fully amortized when required by the commission but not later than the maximum time allowed by federal law after project completion;

(iii) The recipient of a loan will establish a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of loans;

(b) To buy or refinance the debt obligation of political subdivisions at or below market rates, where the debt obligations were incurred after March 7, 1985, and where the projects were constructed in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations;

(c) To guarantee, or purchase insurance for, obligations of political subdivisions where the action would improve credit market access or reduce interest rates;

(d) To provide loan guarantees for similar revolving funds established by municipalities or intermunicipal agencies;

(e) To earn interest on fund accounts;

(f) To establish nonpoint source pollution control management programs;

(g) To establish estuary conservation and management programs;

(h) For the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund and conducting activities under this act, subject to the limitations established in Section 603(d)(7) of Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act, as amended, and subject to annual appropriation by the Legislature;

(i) In connection with the issuance, sale and purchase of bonds under Section 31-25-1 et seq. , related to the funding of projects, to provide security or a pledge of revenues for the repayment of the bonds; and

(j) To pay the principal and interest on bonds issued pursuant to Section 11 of Chapter 580, Laws of 2007, Section 1 of Chapter 492, Laws of 2008, Section 47 of Chapter 557, Laws of 2009, Section 45 of Chapter 533, Laws of 2010, Section 3 of Chapter 480, Laws of 2011, Section 36 of Chapter 569, Laws of 2013, Section 9 of Chapter 452, Laws of 2018, Section 1 of Chapter 415, Laws of 2019, Section 16 of Chapter 492, Laws of 2020, and Section 137 of Chapter 480, Laws of 2021, as they become due; however, only interest and investment earnings on money in the fund may be utilized for this purpose.

(8) The hardship grants program shall be used only to provide hardship grants consistent with the federal hardship grants program for rural communities, regulations and guidance issued by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, subsections (3) and (5) of this section and regulations promulgated and guidance issued by the commission under this section.

(9) The commission shall establish by regulation a system of priorities and a priority list of projects eligible for funding with loans from the revolving fund.

(10) The commission may provide a loan from the revolving fund only with respect to a project if that project is on the priority list established by the commission.

(11) The revolving fund shall be credited with all payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (7) of this section. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all or any portion of payments of principal and interest derived from the fund uses described in subsection (7) of this section may be designated or pledged for repayment of a loan as provided in Section 31-25-28 in connection with a loan from the Mississippi Development Bank.

(12) The commission may establish and collect fees to defray the reasonable costs of administering the revolving fund if it determines that the administrative costs will exceed the limitations established in Section 603(d)(7) of Title VI of the federal Clean Water Act, as amended. The administration fees may be included in loan amounts to political subdivisions for the purpose of facilitating payment to the commission. The fees may not exceed five percent (5%) of the loan amount.

(13) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commission may, on a case-by-case basis and to the extent allowed by federal law, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to the six (6) most southern counties of the state covered by the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, and to political subdivisions located in such counties; however, the interest on the loans shall not be forgiven for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months and the maturity of the loans shall not be extended for a period of more than forty-eight (48) months.

(14) The commission may, on a case-by-case basis and to the extent allowed by federal law, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to Hancock County as a result of coverage under the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, and to political subdivisions located in Hancock County.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is authorized and directed to designate the Danzler Tract, nine hundred twenty-five (925) acres located in the Pascagoula River Marshes in Jackson County, Mississippi, acquired in 1997 with funds obtained by Secretary of State Eric Clark as trustee of the public trust tidelands and part of the Mississippi Coastal Preserves Program, as the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” in honor of his role in the development of the program.

(2) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in conjunction with the Office of Secretary of State are further authorized to erect appropriate markers and signs indicating the location of the “Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve” and other pertinent information on the mission, trail systems and visitor guidelines relating to the Mississippi Coastal Plain.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-203 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-203
Status: in_force

(1) Except as otherwise provided in Section 49-15-207 , an owner of property that has been seized pursuant to Section 49-15-21 or 59-21-33, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall file an answer within thirty (30) days after the completion of service of process. If an answer is not filed, the court shall hear evidence that the property is subject to forfeiture and forfeit the property to the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency. If an answer is filed, a time for hearing on forfeiture shall be set within thirty (30) days of filing the answer or at the succeeding term of court, if court would not be in progress within thirty (30) days after filing the answer. Provided, however, that upon request by the Department of Marine Resources, the local law enforcement agency or the owner of the property, the court may postpone said forfeiture hearing to a date past the time any criminal action is pending against said owner.

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

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

(4) If it is found that the property is subject to forfeiture, then the judge shall forfeit the property to the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency. However, if proof at the hearing discloses that the interest of any bona fide lien holder, secured party, other person holding an interest in the property in the nature of a security interest is greater than or equal to the present value of the property, the court shall order the property released to him. If such interest is less than the present value of the property and if the proof shows that the property is subject to forfeiture, the court shall order the property forfeited to the Department of Marine Resources or the local law enforcement agency.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-433 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-433
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-433
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 are severable. If any part of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / Section 27-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-39
Status: in_force

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

(b) If the court finds that the order appealed from is supported by substantial evidence, consistent with the public policy set forth in this chapter, is not arbitrary or capricious and does not violate constitutional rights, it shall affirm the council's order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 28-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) Following the initial tax levy, the special tax levy under this subsection may be increased only when the board of supervisors, after receipt of the resolution of the board of commissioners requesting an increase and stating the proposed amount of the increase and the purposes for which the additional revenues shall be used, has determined the need for additional revenues, adopts a resolution declaring its intention to increase the levy and has held an election on the question of increasing the tax levy prescribed in this section. The notice calling for an election shall state the purposes for which the additional revenues shall be used and the amount of the tax levy to be imposed for those purposes. The tax levy may be increased only if the proposed increase is approved by a three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) majority of those voting within the district. Only those qualified electors of the county which reside in the district may vote in the election. Subject to specific provisions of this paragraph to the contrary, the publication of notice and manner of holding the election within the district shall be as prescribed by law for the holding of elections for the issuance of bonds by the board of supervisors. The election shall be held only within the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-407 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-407
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-407
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Substantial compliance shall in no way be construed to be an absolute defense to civil liability.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 31-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-25
Status: in_force

(1) There is imposed upon each large quantity generator and each small quantity generator that is regulated under the Mississippi hazardous waste management regulations and each facility operator, a pollution prevention fee. The fee upon each large quantity generator and each small quantity generator shall be measured by the quantity of hazardous waste which that generator generates annually. The fee upon each facility operator shall be measured by the quantity of chemicals which each facility releases annually and reports pursuant to Section 313 of EPCRA. For a fee payer that is both a large quantity hazardous waste generator and a facility operator, the fee shall be measured by adding the quantity of fugitive and stack air emissions reported under Section 313 of EPCRA plus the quantity of hazardous waste generated annually. For a fee payer that is both a small quantity hazardous waste generator and a facility operator, the fee shall be measured by the quantity of chemicals released as reported pursuant to Section 313 of EPCRA. The fee shall be assessed in an amount according to the following schedule:

TONS GENERATED/RELEASED

ANNUAL FEE

0.01

to

9.99

$ 250.00

10.00

to

99.99

$ 500.00

100.00

to

999.99

$ 1,500.00

1,000.00

to

9,999.99

$ 2,500.00

10,000.00

to

49,999.99

$ 10,000.00

50,000.00

and above

$ 50,000.00

The fee shall be due and payable to the department not later than September 1 of each year, or not later than a date specified by the department in the invoice which shall be no less than thirty (30) days following receipt of an invoice from the department, whichever is later. The fee shall be based on the quantity of hazardous waste generated and/or chemicals released during the preceding calendar year. The department shall annually prepare an invoice for the amount of the pollution prevention fee due from each generator or facility operator and furnish it to each generator or facility operator. The proceeds of the fee shall be deposited into the Environmental Protection Trust Fund created in Section 17-17-217 .

(2) From and after July 1, 1995, the department shall exclude from the calculation of the pollution prevention fee any hazardous waste recycled on-site or shipped off-site for recycling as reported on the Mississippi Annual Hazardous Waste Report or its equivalent and any chemicals recycled on-site or shipped off-site for recycling as reported under Section 313 of EPCRA. The hazardous waste generator or the facility operator shall submit any information the department deems necessary to substantiate that the hazardous waste or chemicals were recycled.

(3) At the discretion of the commission, a generator or facility operator shall be liable for a penalty not to exceed three (3) times the amount of the fee due and payable for failure to pay the fee on or before the due date, plus the amount necessary to reimburse the cost of collection.

(4) From and after July 1, 1995, the department shall exclude from any calculation of pollution prevention fee any hazardous waste or chemical for which a Title V permit fee is assessed to the same generator or facility operator.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-89 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-89
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) This section shall be deemed to provide an additional, alternate and complete method for the doing of the things authorized hereby and shall be deemed and construed to be supplemental to any provisions of any other laws and not in derogation of any such provisions. In connection with the issuance of municipal securities under this chapter, a political subdivision shall not be required to comply with the provisions of any other law except as provided herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-28 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-28-49 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 28-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-49
Status: in_force

If any provisions of this chapter shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected thereby.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-411 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-411
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-411
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(a) Not supported by any substantial evidence;

(b) Arbitrary or capricious; or

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

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

(5) Any party aggrieved by action of the chancery court may appeal to the State Supreme Court in the manner provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / 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. § 49-15-78 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-78
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-78
Status: in_force

(1)(a) It is unlawful for a person to use a gill net, trammel net, entanglement net, or like contrivances for the taking of finfish in marine waters within one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mile of the shoreline.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the phrase “ like contrivances ” means any net that is similar in form, function, purpose or use to a gill net, trammel net or entanglement net.

(c) It is unlawful for a person to use a haul seine net for the taking of fish in marine waters within one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mile of the shoreline of Cat Island.

(d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to hand seines, cast nets or brill nets.

(2) A violation of this section is punishable by the penalties provided in Section 49-15-100 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-75 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-75
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation using a purse seineor having a purse seine aboard a boat or vessel within the territorial waters of the State of Mississippi to catch in excess of five percent (5%) by weight in any single set of the net or to possess in excess of ten percent (10%) by weight of the total catch any of the following species: spotted seatrout (Cynscion nebulosus); bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix); Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus maculatus); king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla); dolphin (Corphaena hippurus); pompano (Trachinotus carolinus); cobia (Rachycentron canadum); or jack crevalle (Caranx hippos).

(2) A person, firm or corporation convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished as provided in Section 49-15-63, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-7
Status: in_force

Each license issued by the department shall designate whether or not the preserve or commercial wildlife enclosure is open to the public on a commercial basis, or is restricted to a membership or other limited group. In the latter case, the license shall specify that the area is a restricted shooting preserve or commercial wildlife enclosure. The department shall maintain accurate listings of the names and addresses of the licensees and the location of the property. These lists shall be made available in their entirety to anyone requesting a copy, and shall specify whether the preserves or enclosures are public or private.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-93 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-93
Status: in_force

Any person violating any provision of Sections 49-15-83 through 49-15-91 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by Section 49-15-63, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 33-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-15
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter are severable, and if any provision of this chapter is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Activity Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 33 / 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. § 49-15-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-21
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(f) If the executive director determines that a member of the Enforcement Officers' Reserve Unit may attend a training program as authorized under this section, it shall require that reserve officer to sign an agreement, prior to attending a training program, which shall stipulate that if the reserve officer accepts employment from any other public or private law enforcement agency within three (3) years after completion of his training program, the reserve officer or the respective hiring law enforcement agency shall reimburse the department for the total cost of his training program. By October 1 of each year, the department shall provide the Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Ports and Marine Resources Committee of the Mississippi Senate a listing which contains each name and the respective cost of training each reserve officer received during the previous year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-7-255 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-255
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-255
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The State Tax Commission shall issue a certificate of title to any person who purchases property under the provisions of this section when a certificate of title is required under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-21
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) At the time that a person is applying for or renewing his or her license, the department shall ask the person if he or she would like to register as a donor to make an anatomical gift in accordance with Section 41-39-139 . If the answer is yes, the department shall inform the prospective donor that his or her decision to be a donor cannot be revoked, changed or contested after his or her death by the donor's next of kin or by any other person, and shall ask the person if he or she desires information about the person's decision to be a donor to be sent to another person or persons. If the answer is yes, the department shall obtain the name and mailing address of the person or persons designated by the prospective donor, and the donor registry shall send the information about the prospective donor's decision to the designated person or persons as requested.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 19-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-19
Status: in_force

(1) To encourage better land use, to assist in controlling headwaters, to prevent soil erosion, to help increase community and individual farm incomes, and to assist schools in forest education and timber management, the Mississippi Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to produce and make available to farm owners and to schools of this state, having lands contiguous to the school site suitable for reforestation, free commercial tree seedlings not to exceed five thousand (5,000) trees per farm owner per year, and not to exceed five thousand (5,000) trees per school, providing the farm owner or owners and school trustees desiring such seedlings enter into a cooperative agreement with the state forestry commission assuring the commission of the proper planting, care, and protection of all seedlings thus furnished from fire and wasteful cutting. The minimum number of seedlings furnished any consignee under this section shall not be less than one thousand (1,000).

(2) In its cooperative agreement, the Mississippi Forestry Commission may provide for the payment to it of a penalty of not exceeding Ten Dollars ($10.00) per thousand trees for each thousand or part thereof planted in violation of the purposes and intent of this section.

(3) The Mississippi Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to use such funds as it may have available in carrying out the intent and purposes of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-101
Status: in_force

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

The contracting states solemnly agree:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

․․$ 3,600.00

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

․․․․1,000.00

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

․․․․1,000.00

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

․․․․5,000.00

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

․․․․2,500.00

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

․․$13,100.00

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

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each compacting state until renounced by act of the legislature of such state, in such form as it may choose; provided that such renunciation shall not become effective until six (6) months after the effective date of the action taken by the legislature. Notice of such renunciation shall be given the other states party hereto by the secretary of state of compacting state so renouncing upon passage of the act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 33-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-3
Status: in_force

The purpose of this chapter is to establish the policy of the State of Mississippi as allowing owners of property classified as forest or agricultural land and owners of timber, wood and forest products on forest land owned by another to conduct forestry or agricultural activities, or if the State of Mississippi prohibits or severely limits such forestry or agricultural activities, to compensate the owners for their loss.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-27-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 27-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-7
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not apply to the following activities, areas and entities:

(a) The accomplishment of emergency decrees of any duly appointed health officer of a county or municipality or of the state, acting to protect the public health;

(b) The conservation, repletion and research activities of the Commission on Marine Resources, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium when acting through the Mississippi Universities Marine Center;

(c) Hunting, erecting duck blinds, fishing, shellfishing and trapping when and where otherwise permitted by law;

(d) Swimming, hiking, boating or other recreation that causes no material harm to the flora and fauna of the wetlands;

(e) The exercise of riparian rights by the owner of the riparian rights, if the construction and maintenance of piers, boathouses and similar structures are constructed on pilings that permit a reasonably unobstructed ebb and flow of the tide. The riparian owner may reasonably alter the wetland at the end of his pier in order to allow docking of his vessels;

(f) The normal maintenance and repair of bulkheads, piers, roads and highways existing on the date of enactment of this chapter, and all interstate highways planned but not yet under construction; and financed in part by Federal Interstate Highway Trust Funds;

(g) Wetlands developed in the future by federal, state or county governments for the establishment of a superport or a pipeline buoy terminal for deep-draft, ocean-going vessels, including but not limited to, wetlands adjacent to Petit Bois Island and the Bayou Casotte Channel in Jackson County, Mississippi;

(h) The Biloxi Bridge and Park Commission, Biloxi Port Commission, Long Beach Port Commission, Pass Christian Port Commission, Pascagoula Port Commission, and any municipal or local port authorities;

(i) Wetlands used under the terms of the use permit granted by Chapter 395, Laws of 1954;

(j) Any activity affecting wetlands that is associated with or is necessary for the exploration, production or transportation of oil or gas when such activity is conducted under a current and valid permit granted by a duly constituted agency of the State of Mississippi;

(k) Activities of any mosquito control commission which is a political subdivision or agency of the State of Mississippi;

( l ) The Fisherman's Wharf in Biloxi and the Buccaneer State Park in Hancock County;

(m) Wetlands conveyed by the state for industrial development thereon pursuant to Section 211, Mississippi Constitution of 1890 , and pursuant to Section 29-3-61, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(n) The activities of the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission affecting wetlands within its jurisdiction;

( o ) The activities of the Harrison County Development Commission affecting wetlands within its jurisdiction;

(p) The activities of the Jackson County Port Authority affecting wetlands within its jurisdiction;

(q) The activities of the Mississippi State Port at Gulfport affecting wetlands within its jurisdiction; and

(r) In the case of regulated activities which, in the judgment of the director or his delegate, after an on-site inspection, have no harmful impact on the environment and which make no substantial change in the wetlands, the director may issue a certificate of waiver, and no permit shall be required.

All activities, areas and entities exempt from the regulatory provisions, whether by name or reference, when carrying out what would otherwise be regulated activities in coastal wetlands shall at all times adhere to the policy as set forth in Section 49-27-3 . Each entity shall notify the commission of all such activities so that the commission may be fully advised of all activities in the coastal wetlands.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-101
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) “Board” shall mean the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-15
Status: in_force

The commission shall set hearings at such times and places, after having given thirty (30) days notice thereof by publication in some newspaper published in the State of Mississippi of general circulation within the state, at which hearings evidence shall be received in regard to the operation of boats and equipment in the taking of mussels in the fresh waters of this state. After such hearings, the commission shall issue reasonable rules and regulations in regard to same, and if the evidence so indicates, shall, in order to prevent the depletion of mussel beds and to insure the proper propagation of mussels, adopt such regulations as it deems necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / 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. § 49-28-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / 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. § 49-2-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 2-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-2-21
Status: in_force

The Attorney General shall be counsel and attorney for the commission and the Department of Environmental Quality and shall provide such legal services as may be requested from time to time, without cost. The executive director is hereby authorized to employ such legal counsel as may be necessary or appropriate for the operation of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 37-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Statewide Scientific Information Management Act of 1999.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 35-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-5
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Brownfield agreement ” means an agreement between the commission and a brownfield party for the remediation of a brownfield agreement site.

(b) “ Brownfield agreement site ” means brownfield property that is remediated under a brownfield agreement. The site shall consist of the brownfield property that is the subject of the application and any other brownfield property (i) for which the source of contamination is environmental contamination or activities on or under the brownfield property that is the subject of the application, and (ii) concerning which the commission determines that remediation is necessary.

(c) “ Brownfield party ” means any person who desires to execute and implement a brownfield agreement, including but not limited to, the record owner of the brownfield agreement site, a person who desires to either buy or sell the brownfield agreement site for the purpose of developing or redeveloping that site and the successors and assigns of these owners and persons, and local governments and other political subdivisions that desire to promote the development or redevelopment of the brownfield agreement site.

(d) “ Brownfield property ” means any property where use is limited by actual or potential environmental contamination, or the perception of environmental contamination, and that is or may be subject to remediation under any state environmental program or under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42 USCS 9601 et seq. (1997) (CERCLA), but does not include any of the following:

(i) Those sites proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for the National Priorities List (NPL) but not listed on the NPL or those sites listed on the NPL, except those NPL sites for which the United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued certificates of completion of the remediation set forth in the records of decision for those sites;

(ii) Those sites for which an order or enforcement action is issued or entered under CERCLA or Sections 3008(h), 3013(a) or 7003(c) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, 42 USCS 6901 et seq. (1994 and Supp. 1997) (RCRA) and which is still in effect; and

(iii) Those sites undergoing corrective action under RCRA Section 3004(u), 3004(v) or 3008(h), except those sites that the United States Environmental Protection Agency determines have completed corrective action.

(e) “ Commission ” means the Commission on Environmental Quality.

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

(g) “ Engineering control ” means a modification to a brownfield agreement site to reduce or eliminate the potential for exposure to contaminants. These modifications may include, but are not limited to, physical or hydraulic control measures, capping, point of use treatment, or slurry walls, but shall not include the exclusive use of security fencing.

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

(i) “ Land-use restriction ” means the limitation on use of or access to a brownfield agreement site to reduce or eliminate the potential for exposure to contaminants. These restrictions may include, but are not limited to, deed restrictions, use restrictions, or restrictive zoning.

(j) “ Local government ” means a county or municipality within the State of Mississippi.

(k) “ Person ” means person as defined in Section 17-17-3 .

(l) “ Potentially responsible party ” means a person who is or may be liable for remediation under a remedial program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-305 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-305
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 49-19-301 through 49-19-307 unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) “Prescribed burning” means the controlled application of fire to naturally occurring vegetative fuels for ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management purposes under specified environmental conditions and the following of appropriate precautionary measures which cause the fire to be confined to a predetermined area and accomplishes the planned land management objectives.

(b) “Certified prescribed burn manager” means an individual or county forester who successfully completes the certification program approved by the Mississippi Forestry Commission.

(c) “Prescription” means a written plan for starting and controlling a prescribed burn to accomplish the ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management objectives.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-18 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-18
Status: in_force

The executive director of the department shall publish an abstract copy of this chapter and all subsequent amendments to this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated by the department under this chapter. The department may distribute the publication to all persons requesting a copy and to each licensee at the time of issuance of the license. New regulations and amendments to this chapter may be supplied to each licensee within a reasonable time after their promulgation or passage. The department may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed actual cost for its publications.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 35 / Section 37-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Statewide Scientific Information Management Act of 1999.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-719 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-719
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-719
Status: in_force

There is hereby created and established a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi to be known as the “Pearl River County Utility Authority.” The authority is composed of the geographic area of Pearl River County as defined in Section 19-1-109, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water, wastewater and storm water systems in order to ensure the delivery of water, wastewater and storm water services to citizens residing within the boundaries of Pearl River County. The Pearl River County Utility Authority shall be deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential public functions, and the Pearl River County Utility Authority shall be empowered in accordance with the provisions of this act to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 23-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-15
Status: in_force

Any sign, display or device lawfully erected which does not conform to Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 shall be required to be removed before the end of the fifth year after it becomes nonconforming.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141
Status: in_force

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

SOUTH CENTRAL INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE PROTECTION COMPACT

Article I.

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

Article II.

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

Article III.

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

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

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

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

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

Article IV.

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

Article V.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article VI.

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

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

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

Article VII.

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

Article VIII.

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

Article IX.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each state ratifying it until the legislature or the governor of such state takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until six (6) months after notice thereof has been sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-76 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-76
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-76
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) A person who violates this section shall be punished as provided in Section 49-15-63 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-503
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 is to provide for the accreditation of lead-based paint activities training programs, procedures and requirements for certification of persons engaged in lead-based paint activities and development and implementation of work practice standards for lead-based paint activities in target housing, child-occupied facilities and other facilities regulated under Section 402 of the federal Toxic Substances Control Act. It is the intent of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 that the cost of the administration and enforcement of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 shall be borne fully by federal grants and fees for accreditation, certification, renovation projects and abatement projects.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 13-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-13
Status: in_force

When any package containing quail carcasses is to be shipped by rail, express or other carrier, public or private, the packages wherein the quail are contained must comply with the packaging or wrapping requirements set forth in Section 49-13-11 of the Mississippi Commercial Quail Law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-98 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-98
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-98
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise authorized in Section 7-5-39 , the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi shall represent the commission in issuing, selling and validating bonds herein provided for, and the commission may expend any sum not exceeding Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) from the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds authorized hereunder to pay the cost of attorney's fees, validating, printing, and cost of delivery of bonds authorized under Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 25-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-19
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any lawful ordinance, regulation or resolution, which are more restrictive than the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-703 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-703
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-703
Status: in_force

In the spirit of the report of the Governor's Commission on Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal, the Legislature finds that there is a need for consolidation of water, wastewater and storm water services in order to reduce costs, promote resilience in the event of a disaster, improve the quality of the natural environment, and improve the planning and delivery of quality water, wastewater and storm water services within the areas of the Counties of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone. It is further declared that there is the need for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water, wastewater and storm water services in order to ensure protection of the waters of the state and to ensure the delivery of water, wastewater and storm water services to citizens of the Gulf Coast Region. The creation of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Region Utility Act is determined to be necessary and essential to the accomplishment of these purposes. To facilitate the purposes of the act, the Gulf Coast Region Utility Board, the George County Utility Authority, the Hancock County Utility Authority, the Harrison County Utility Authority, the Jackson County Utility Authority, the Pearl River County Utility Authority and the Stone County Utility Authority are created herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 27-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-3
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the public policy of this state to favor the preservation of the natural state of the coastal wetlands and their ecosystems and to prevent the despoliation and destruction of them, except where a specific alteration of specific coastal wetlands would serve a higher public interest in compliance with the public purposes of the public trust in which coastal wetlands are held.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-115 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-115
Status: in_force

(1) The boards of supervisors of all counties are hereby directed to levy a special tax to be known as “the forest acreage tax.” Such tax shall be Two Cents (2¢) per acre on all timbered and uncultivatable lands in the county in order to receive the financial and supervisory cooperation of the State Forestry Commission in carrying out organized forest fire control and other provisions of Sections 49-19-111 through 49-19-117 .

(2) In addition to the tax levied under subsection (1) of this section, the boards of supervisors of all counties are hereby directed to levy an additional forest acreage tax on all timbered and uncultivatable lands in the county beginning October 1, 1989, and continuing for three (3) succeeding years in the following amounts:

Total Acreage

Increase

Tax

Fiscal year ending September 30, 1990․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

3¢ per acre

5¢ per acre

Fiscal year ending September 30, 1991․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

2¢ per acre

7¢ per acre

Fiscal year ending September 30, 1992․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․․

2¢ per acre

9¢ per acre

Upon completion of the third year, the total acreage tax shall remain at the Nine Cents (9¢) per acre per year.

(3) Uncultivatable lands shall not include bogs, unreclaimed strip mine areas, coastal beach sands, tidal and freshwater marshes, beaver ponds and flood or flowage easements.

(4) Those homeowners described in Section 27-33-67(2) , who qualify for the exemptions allowed in Article 1, Chapter 33, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall be exempt from any forest acreage tax levied pursuant to this section.

(5) The provisions of this section and the tax levy required herein shall not be applicable to any counties which were not levying such forest acreage tax on January 1, 1989.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-351 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-351
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-351
Status: in_force

(1) In this section, “ drought or wildfire conditions ” means the existence of a deficit of moisture creating severe conditions with increased wildfire occurrences as determined by the State Forestry Commission through use of drought indices or models or the existence of extreme wildfire conditions.

(2) If the State Forestry Commission determines that drought or wildfire conditions exist in a county, the commission shall notify the board of supervisors of that county. The commission may recommend that a temporary outdoor burning ban or other restrictions be adopted by the board of supervisors.

(3) The board of supervisors may, by order, prohibit or restrict outdoor burning in all or part of the unincorporated parts of the county if drought or wildfire conditions have been determined to exist by the State Forestry Commission. An order must specify the period during which burning is restricted. The State Forestry Commission shall notify the board of supervisors when the drought or wildfire conditions no longer exist. Any order issued under this section shall expire upon the determination that the drought or wildfire conditions no longer exist.

(4) Any person who knowingly and willfully violates an order under this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(5) The sheriff of the county shall enforce the order and may cite persons for violations of an order under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-769 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-769
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-769
Status: in_force

All bonds issued under the provisions of this act shall be legal investments for trustees, other fiduciaries, savings banks, trust companies and insurance companies organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi; and such bonds shall be legal securities which may be deposited with and shall be received by all public officers and bodies of the state and all municipalities and other political subdivisions thereof for the purpose of securing the deposit of public funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) Following the initial tax levy, the special tax levy under this subsection may be increased only when the board of supervisors, after receipt of the resolution of the board of commissioners requesting an increase and stating the proposed amount of the increase and the purposes for which the additional revenues shall be used, has determined the need for additional revenues, adopts a resolution declaring its intention to increase the levy and has held an election on the question of increasing the tax levy prescribed in this section. The notice calling for an election shall state the purposes for which the additional revenues shall be used and the amount of the tax levy to be imposed for those purposes. The tax levy may be increased only if the proposed increase is approved by a three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) majority of those voting within the district. Only those qualified electors of the county which reside in the district may vote in the election. Subject to specific provisions of this paragraph to the contrary, the publication of notice and manner of holding the election within the district shall be as prescribed by law for the holding of elections for the issuance of bonds by the board of supervisors. The election shall be held only within the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 23-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) The money received from the fees paid under this section to the department shall be deposited in the State Highway Maintenance Fund and may be expended, upon legislative appropriation, for any purpose for which other monies in such fund may be expended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-147 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-147
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 , the following words shall have the meaning ascribed herein unless the context shall otherwise require:

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

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

(c) “ Dedicate ” means the transfer to the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks of any estate, interest or right in any natural area to be held for the people of Mississippi in a manner provided in Section 49-5-155 .

(d) “ Natural area ” means an area of land, water or air, or combination thereof, which contains an element of the state's natural diversity, including, but not limited to, individual plant or animal life, natural geological areas, habitats of endangered or threatened species, ecosystems or any other area of unique ecological, scientific or educational interest.

(e) “ Natural area preserve ” means a natural area which is voluntarily dedicated.

(f) “ Register ” means the act of agreement between the owner of a natural area and the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for designation of the natural area and for its placement on the register of natural areas by voluntary agreement between the owner of the natural area and the commission.

(g) “ Register of natural areas ” means a listing of natural areas which are being managed by the owner of the natural area according to the rules and regulations of the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-90 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-90
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-90
Status: in_force

All general obligation bonds of the State of Mississippi and interest coupons issued under the provisions of Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 shall have and are hereby declared to have all the qualities and incidents of negotiable instruments under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Mississippi. Such bonds and the income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation within the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-59 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-59
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person to hunt any wild animal or wild bird during the night from one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour after sunset to one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour before sunrise, either with or without the use of a light, except:

(a) Beavers, bobcats, fox, opossums, nutria and raccoons; and

(b) Coyotes by a landowner, agricultural leaseholder or his designated agent on lands owned or leased by the owner or leaseholder.

(2) The commission shall prescribe the weapons that may be used to hunt game under this section.

(3) A violation of this section is a Class II violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-739 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-739
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-739
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 is to confer certain powers on the county authorities for the purpose of cooperating with federal, state and local public agencies for the further development of local and regional water, wastewater and storm water services within the Gulf Coast Region. In addition to the powers over water, wastewater and storm water, the Harrison County Utility Authority is granted power over solid waste within its jurisdiction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-93 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-93
Status: in_force

Any person violating any provision of Sections 49-15-83 through 49-15-91 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by Section 49-15-63, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-37
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The department shall regulate the amount and time of taking of oysters from seed areas and shall supervise the removal, planting and harvesting of oysters from the areas. The time set for the taking of oysters from restricted seed areas for relaying or replanting and the time set for the taking of oysters from private leased grounds shall be separated by not less than a period of time determined under Section 49-15-36 during which neither activity may be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 23-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-11
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) The money received from the fees paid under this section to the department shall be deposited in the State Highway Maintenance Fund and may be expended, upon legislative appropriation, for any purpose for which other monies in such fund may be expended.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307
Status: in_force

The department shall have the following powers and duties:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) To discharge any other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 28-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-35
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If the board of commissioners determines that the area rule is the most equitable method of distributing the cost among the properties, then the resolution shall direct that the cost to be assessed against each lot or parcel of land shall be determined by dividing the entire cost to be assessed by the total number of acres or square feet in the area being benefited and that is subject to the special assessment, and multiplying the quotient by the total number of acres or square feet in any particular lot or parcel of land. The result of this formula shall be assessed against each lot or parcel of land for the owner's part of the cost of the entire improvement to be paid through special assessments.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-219 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 19-219
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-219
Status: in_force

The commission shall have the following powers and duties to implement the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 :

(a) To determine which approved practices shall be eligible for cost-share assistance;

(b) To establish maximum sums, subject to the provisions of Section 49-19-221 , which any one (1) eligible owner may receive for implementation of an approved practice;

(c) To review periodically the costs of forest development practices and to make such adjustment as, in the discretion of the commission, is necessary in the Thirty-seven Dollars and Fifty Cents ($37.50) per acre assistance allowed in Section 49-19-221 ;

(d) Upon request of the forestry commission, the attorney general of the State of Mississippi shall institute proper legal proceedings to recover any or all of the cost-share assistance provided an eligible owner if the commission shall determine that the owner failed to implement any portion of or all of the practice approved by the commission for such owner and if the commission determines that legal proceedings are necessary and proper.

(e) To determine, before approving any cost-share assistance for any eligible owner that such approved practice is reasonable and is comparable to the actual cost of implementing such practice in the general area in which the land is located. Should the commission determine that the submitted cost of implementing the approved practice is not reasonable, the commission shall approve cost-share assistance in an amount which is determined by the commission to be reasonable for the implementation of the approved practice in the general area in which the land is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-733 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-733
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-733
Status: in_force

(1) Upon creation of the Jackson County Utility Authority, all powers of the Jackson County Utility Authority shall be exercised by the board of directors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority.

(2) Upon consolidation of the Jackson County Utility Authority and the Mississippi Gulf Coast Wastewater Authority, the county authority shall be governed by a board consisting of seven (7) directors.

(a) The members of the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority shall serve as Directors of the Jackson County Utility Authority until the expiration of their existing terms. Upon expiration of a member's term, the governing body making the appointment shall appoint a person residing within the corporate boundaries of the governing body to serve as a director.

(b) The City of Gautier shall appoint one (1) director who resides within the City of Gautier for an initial term of three (3) years.

(c) The Board of Supervisors of Jackson County shall appoint two (2) additional directors for an initial term of two (2) and four (4) years, respectively, who reside within the unincorporated area of Jackson County.

(3)(a) After expiration of the initial terms, all appointed directors shall serve a term of six (6) years.

(b) No director shall hold an elected public office.

(4) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-77 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-77
Status: in_force

The three (3) commissioners from the State of Mississippi shall be authorized to do any and all things necessary in order to effectuate the terms and provisions of the compact contained herein and Sections 49-17-71 through 49-17-77 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of the aforesaid compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-205 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / 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. § 49-17-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-5
Status: in_force

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

(1) Water.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) Air.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) General.

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

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

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

(d) “General permit” means a permit for categories of sources that involve similar wastes and have similar monitoring requirements and restrictions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 11-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-17
Status: in_force

The operating licenses issued by the department shall entitle licensees, and their guests or customers, to recover the total number of each species of game released on the premises each year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-15
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to any other powers and duties authorized by law, the department, with the advice of the advisory commission, shall have the following powers and duties regarding the regulation of seafood:

(a) To exercise full jurisdiction and authority over all marine aquatic life and to regulate any matters pertaining to seafood, including cultivated seafood;

(b) To adopt, promulgate, amend or repeal, after due notice and public hearing, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law and subject to the limitations in subsection (2) of this section, rules and regulations authorized under this chapter, including, but not limited to, rules and regulations necessary for the protection, conservation or propagation of all seafood in the waters under the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi and for the regulation of gill net and purse seine fishermen. All public hearings under this chapter concerning the regulation of marine resources shall be held in Hancock, Harrison or Jackson Counties. Each rule or regulation promulgated under this chapter shall immediately be advertised one (1) time in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in counties affected by that regulation. A regulation shall become effective at 6:00 a.m. on the day after its publication;

(c) To regulate all seafood sanitation and processing programs. In the three (3) coastal counties, the sanitation program regulating processing plants and seafood sold in retail stores operating in conjunction with a processing plant or seafood market that primarily deals with seafood is under the exclusive authority of the department. The department may also inspect and regulate those areas of any seafood processing plant which process freshwater species at any site. To effectively and efficiently implement the state seafood sanitation program, the State Health Officer, the Commissioner of Agriculture and the executive director of the department may enter into a memorandum of understanding, which at a minimum, clearly specifies the responsibilities of each agency in implementing the seafood sanitation program, as well as the sharing of information and communication and coordination between the agencies;

(d) To set standards of measure;

(e) To set requirements for employment of commission employees whose compensation shall be governed by the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board;

(f) To acquire and dispose of commission equipment and facilities;

(g) To keep proper records of the commission, including an official ordinance book which contains all rules and regulations promulgated by the department, with the advice of the advisory commission, under this chapter;

(h) To enter into advantageous interstate and intrastate agreements with proper officials, which directly or indirectly result in the protection, propagation and conservation of the seafood of the State of Mississippi, or continue any such agreements now in existence;

(i) To arrange, negotiate or contract for the use of available federal, state and local facilities which would aid in the propagation, protection and conservation of the seafood of the State of Mississippi;

(j) To authorize the operation of double rigs in the waters lying between the mainland coast and the island chain, and those rigs shall not exceed a length of twenty-five (25) feet at the corkline, and to prescribe the length at the lead line for each rig, net or try-trawl;

(k) To destroy or dispose of equipment or nets which have been lawfully seized by the commission and which are not sold under Section 49-15-201 et seq. ;

(l) To open, close and regulate fishing seasons for the taking of shrimp, oysters, fish taken for commercial purposes and crabs and set size, catching and taking regulations for all types of seafood and culling regulations for oysters, except as otherwise specifically provided by law;

(m) To utilize the resources of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory to the fullest extent possible;

(n) To develop a resource management plan to preserve seafood resources and to ensure a safe supply of these resources;

(o) To prescribe types and forms of scientific permits for public educational or scientific institutions, federal and state agencies and consultants performing marine resource studies;

(p) To suspend the issuance of licenses when necessary to impose a moratorium to conserve a fishery resource;

(q) To promote, construct, monitor and maintain artificial fishing reefs in the marine waters of the State of Mississippi and in adjacent federal waters; to accept grants and donations of money or materials from public and private sources for such reefs; to set permit fees and establish guidelines for the construction of artificial reefs in federal waters; and to apply for any federal permits necessary for the construction or maintenance of artificial fishing reefs in federal waters. The location data associated with artificial reefs by corporations and private individuals shall not be published by the commission or the department on the website or in written publications of the department. Location data of the artificial reefs may be requested in writing by any individual and shall be provided by the department in a timely manner; and

(r) To require, in addition to other licensing requirements, the successful completion of educational or training programs on shellfish sanitation as a prerequisite to receiving commercial licenses authorized under this chapter in order to ensure compliance with the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference's educational requirements for shellfish processors, dealers and harvesters by January 1, 2014.

(2) The department shall not adopt rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to marine resources which are more stringent than federal regulations. In any case where federal laws and regulations are silent on a matter pertaining to marine resources, the laws and regulations of the State of Mississippi shall control. The department shall review all marine resource ordinances for compliance with the no more stringent standard and revise any ordinances more stringent than this standard no later than December 31, 1992. This subsection shall not apply to rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to the wild stock of marine fin fish.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-505 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-505
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-505
Status: in_force

For purposes of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 , the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Abatement ” means any measure or set of measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards consistent with 745 CFR Section 223 . The term includes, but is not limited to, the removal of lead-based paint and lead-contaminated dust, the permanent enclosure or encapsulation of lead-based paint, the replacement of lead-painted surfaces or fixtures, and the removal or covering of lead-contaminated soil and all preparation, cleanup, disposal, and postabatement clearance testing activities associated with those measures. The term does not include renovation, remodeling, landscaping or other activities not designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards and interim controls, operations and maintenance activities or other activities and measures designed to temporarily, but not permanently reduce lead-based paint hazards.

(b) “ Accredited training program ” means a training program that has been accredited by the commission, United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or EPA-approved lead-based paint program in a state with reciprocity agreements with Mississippi to provide training for individuals engaged in lead-based paint activities.

(c) “ Certificate ” means a document authorizing a person to perform lead-based paint activities as described in Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 .

(d) “ Child-occupied facility ,” as this term applies to abatement activities, means a building, or portion of a building, constructed before 1978, visited regularly by the same child, six (6) years of age or under, on at least two (2) different days within any calendar week, if each day's visit lasts at least three (3) hours, the combined weekly visit lasts at least six (6) hours, and the combined annual visits last at least sixty (60) hours. Child-occupied facilities include, but are not limited to, day care centers, preschools and kindergarten classrooms.

(e) “ Child-occupied facility ,” as this term applies to renovation activities, means a building, or portion of a building, constructed prior to 1978, visited regularly by the same child, under six (6) years of age, on at least two (2) different days within any week, if each day's visit lasts at least three (3) hours and the combined weekly visits last at least six (6) hours, and the combined annual visits last at least sixty (60) hours. Child-occupied facilities may include, but are not limited to, day care centers, preschools and kindergarten classrooms. Child-occupied facilities may be located in target housing or in public or commercial buildings. With respect to common areas in public or commercial buildings that contain child-occupied facilities, the child-occupied facility encompasses only those common areas that are routinely used by children under age six (6), such as restrooms and cafeterias. Common areas that children under age six (6) only pass through, such as hallways, stairways, and garages are not included. In addition, with respect to exteriors of public or commercial buildings that contain child-occupied facilities, the child-occupied facility encompasses only the exterior sides of the building that are immediately adjacent to the child-occupied facility or the common areas routinely used by children under age six (6).

(f) “ Clearance levels ” means the maximum amount of lead permitted in dust on a surface following completion of an abatement activity.

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

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

(i) “ Dust sampling technician ” means an individual employed to perform dust clearance sampling.

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

(k) “ Firm ” means a company, partnership, corporation, sole proprietorship, association, or other business entity or individual doing business that performs or offers to perform lead-based paint activities. This term also includes a federal, state, tribal, or local government agency, or a nonprofit organization that performs or offers to perform lead-based paint activities.

( l ) “ Inspection ” means a surface-by-surface investigation to determine the presence of lead-based paint and the provision of a report explaining the results of the investigation.

(m) “ Inspector ” means an individual employed to inspect or reinspect for the presence of lead-based paint, to collect samples for the presence of lead in dust and soil for the purposes of abatement or renovation clearance testing and to prepare inspection reports.

(n) “ Lead-based paint ” means paint or other surface coatings that contain lead equal to or in excess of one (1) milligram per square centimeter or more than one-half of one percent (0.5%) by weight.

( o ) “ Lead-based paint activities ” means inspection, risk assessment, abatement or renovation of target housing or child-occupied facilities.

(p) “ Lead-based paint hazard ” means any condition that causes exposure to lead from lead-contaminated dust, lead-contaminated soil, or lead-contaminated paint that is deteriorated or present in accessible surfaces, friction surfaces, or impact surfaces that would result in adverse human health effects as identified by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

(q) “ Minor repair and maintenance activities ” means activities, including minor heating, ventilation or air conditioning work, electrical work, and plumbing, that disrupt six (6) square feet or less of painted surface per room for interior activities or twenty (20) square feet or less of painted surface for exterior activities where none of the work practices prohibited or restricted by 40 CFR Section 745.85(a)(3) are used and where the work does not involve window replacement or demolition of painted surface areas. When removing painted components, or portions of painted components, the entire surface area removed is the amount of painted surface disturbed. Jobs, other than emergency renovations, performed in the same room within the same thirty (30) days must be considered the same job for the purpose of determining whether the job is a minor repair and maintenance activity.

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

(s) “ Project designer ” means an individual employed to prepare abatement project designs, occupant protection plans and abatement project reports.

(t) “ Renovation ” means the modification of any existing structure, or portion thereof, that results in the disturbance of painted surfaces, unless that activity is performed as part of an abatement. The term “ renovation ” includes, but is not limited to: the removal, modification or repair of painted surfaces or painted components (e.g., modification of painted doors, surface restoration, window repair, surface preparation activity, sanding, scraping or other activities that may generate paint dust); the removal of building components (e.g., walls, ceilings, plumbing, windows); weatherization projects (e.g., cutting holes in painted surfaces to install blown-in insulation or to gain access to attics, planning thresholds to install weather-stripping); and interim controls that disturb painted surfaces. A renovation performed for the purpose of converting a building, or part of a building, into target housing or a child-occupied facility is a renovation. The term renovation does not include minor repair and maintenance activities.

(u) “ Renovator ” means an individual who either performs or directs or supervises workers who perform renovations. A “ certified renovator ” is a renovator who has successfully completed a renovator course accredited by EPA or an EPA-authorized state or tribal program, and has been certified to perform renovations in the State of Mississippi.

(v) “ Residential dwelling ” means a detached single family dwelling unit, including attached structures such as porches and stoops or a single family dwelling unit in a structure that contains more than one (1) separate residential dwelling unit, which is used or occupied, or intended to be used or occupied, in whole or in part, as the home or residence of one or more persons.

(w) “ Risk assessment ” means an on-site investigation to determine the existence, nature, severity, and location of lead-based paint hazards and the provision of a report by the person conducting the risk assessment, explaining the results of the investigation and options for reducing lead-based paint hazards.

(x) “ Risk assessor ” means an individual employed to conduct risk assessments and lead hazard screens, to prepare inspection reports and to collect samples for the presence of lead in dust and soil for the purposes of abatement and renovation clearance testing.

(y) “ Supervisor ” means an individual designated by a contractor or certified firm to be responsible for the direction and conduct of lead-based paint abatement activities and to prepare occupant protection plans and abatement reports.

(z) “ Target housing ,” as this term refers to abatements, means any housing constructed before 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities [unless any one or more children aged six (6) years or under resides or is expected to reside in that housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities] or any zero-bedroom dwelling.

(aa) “ Target housing ,” as this term refers to renovations, means any housing constructed before 1978, except housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities [unless any one or more children under the age of six (6) years resides or is expected to reside in that housing for the elderly or persons with disabilities] or any zero-bedroom dwelling.

(bb) “ Worker ” means any individual who works on abatements or renovations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 33-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-15
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter are severable, and if any provision of this chapter is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-83 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-83
Status: in_force

Nothing in Sections 49-15-71 through 49-15-81 shall be interpreted to circumvent or diminish the powers of the commission in the exercise of its jurisdiction and authority as provided under this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-411 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-17-401 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / 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. § 49-17-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-15-76 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-19-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 19-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-13
Status: in_force

The boards of supervisors of the several counties are hereby authorized, in their discretion, to appropriate and pay to the state forestry commission from the general fund of the county each year a sum of money not exceeding twenty-five per cent of the forest severance tax received by the county the preceding year. Such money so appropriated shall be used by the state forestry commission for forestry work and protection in such county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-415 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-17-83 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-83
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(k) “State” means the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-93 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-93
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-93
Status: in_force

Any person violating any provision of Sections 49-15-83 through 49-15-91 shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished as provided by Section 49-15-63, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / 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. § 49-17-109 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-109
Status: in_force

Contracts for acquisition, purchase, construction and/or installation of facilities contemplated by Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 shall be effected in the manner prescribed by law for public contracts; provided, however, where (a) the municipality finds and records such finding on its minutes, that because of availability or particular nature of such facilities, it would not be in the public interest or would less effectively achieve the purposes of Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 to enter into such contracts upon the basis of public bidding pursuant to advertisement, (b) the industry concurs in such finding, and (c) such finding is approved by the board, public bidding pursuant to advertisement may be dispensed with and such contracts may be entered into based upon negotiation; and provided further, the industry at its option, may negotiate such contracts in the name of the municipality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-44 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-44
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-44
Status: in_force

The department shall prohibit the sale or possession of illegal oysters. It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to possess or to engage in the sale of oysters not certified in this state, or to shuck or repack for sale any illegal oysters, unless that person, firm or corporation possesses a bill of sale, valid permit or affidavit of another state, properly dated, evidencing the legality of the sale or possession of the oysters in that state. Any person in possession of illegal oysters shall be subject to civil or criminal prosecution and shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or punished as provided in Section 49-15-63 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-3
Status: repealed

The duties and powers of the commission shall be:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(j) [Repealed]
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-75 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-75
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful during the nesting season of game birds for any person to set fire to the woods or fields other than on his own premises for the purpose of driving wild animals or birds out of fields or forests.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-15
Status: in_force

The commission shall set hearings at such times and places, after having given thirty (30) days notice thereof by publication in some newspaper published in the State of Mississippi of general circulation within the state, at which hearings evidence shall be received in regard to the operation of boats and equipment in the taking of mussels in the fresh waters of this state. After such hearings, the commission shall issue reasonable rules and regulations in regard to same, and if the evidence so indicates, shall, in order to prevent the depletion of mussel beds and to insure the proper propagation of mussels, adopt such regulations as it deems necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-123 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-123
Status: in_force

Nothing in Sections 49-17-101 through 49-17-123 shall be construed as granting authority for participation under the provisions of Chapter 471, Laws of 1971, as now or hereafter amended or participation in state appropriations for pollution control purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-149 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-149
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-149
Status: in_force

The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To utilize inventory data compiled by the Mississippi Wildlife Heritage Program concerning the natural areas of the state;

(b) To accept on behalf of the people of Mississippi any right, title or interest to any natural area;

(c) To establish and maintain a register of natural areas;

(d) To select natural areas for placement on the register of natural areas or for dedication as a natural area preserve, or both;

(e) To provide for the management of natural area preserves by designating an appropriate agency to manage the preserve in accordance with the provisions set forth in the articles of dedication which establish the natural area as a natural area preserve;

(f) To cooperate with any agency of the United States, the State of Mississippi and any other state, any political subdivision of this state and with private persons or organizations to implement the provisions of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 ;

(g) To discharge any other duty or action necessary to implement the provisions of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-205 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-205
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The State Tax Commission shall issue a certificate of title to any person who purchases property under the provisions of this section when a certificate of title is required under the laws of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 25-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-1
Status: in_force

This chapter may be cited as the “Junkyard Control Law.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-26 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-26
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-26
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The department may develop, implement and regulate a tagging and reporting program to collect harvest data and monitor bag limit compliance by any means as provided in this section.

(b) The department may charge a fee for the tagging program.

(c) The department shall provide an annual report to the Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

(2)(a) The department may establish a tagging and reporting program for deer harvested by nonresidents.

(b) A nonresident who violates any law or regulation of the nonresident deer tagging program shall be subject to the fine and forfeiture penalties provided for a nonresident hunting without a license under Section 49-7-21 . In addition, a nonresident shall be assessed the administrative fee prescribed in this section.

(3)(a) The department may establish a tagging and reporting program for turkey.

(b) A person who violates any law or regulation of the turkey tagging program is guilty of a Class III violation and shall be subject to the fines provided in 49-7-101. In addition, a person shall be assessed the administrative fee prescribed in this section.

(4)(a) A person convicted of a first violation of the tagging program shall be assessed an administrative fee of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), which shall be imposed and collected upon conviction. A person convicted of a second or subsequent violation shall be assessed an administrative fee of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), which shall be imposed and collected upon conviction.

(b) The clerk of the court shall collect and deposit the administrative fees with the State Treasurer, in the same manner and in accordance with the same procedure, as nearly as practicable, as required for the collection and deposit of state assessments under Section 99-19-73 .

(c) The administrative fees shall be credited to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and may be expended by the department upon appropriation by the Legislature.

(5) Each deer or turkey taken or possessed in violation of the tagging program is a separate offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-143 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 19-143
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-143
Status: in_force

When the governor shall have executed said compact on behalf of this state and shall have caused a verified copy thereof to be filed with the state secretary, and when the compact shall have been ratified by one or more of the states named in Section 49-19-141 , then the compact shall become operative and effective as between this state and such other state or states. The governor is hereby authorized and directed to take such action as may be necessary to complete the exchange of official documents as between this state and any other state ratifying the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-43
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) The willfulness of the violation;

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

(c) Costs of restoration and abatement;

(d) Economic benefit as a result of noncompliance;

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

(f) Past performance history; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Any provisions of this section and chapter regarding liability for the costs of cleanup, removal, remediation or abatement of any pollution, hazardous waste or solid waste shall be limited as provided in Section 49-17-42 and rules adopted thereto.