Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 35-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(iv) A schedule of remediation activities;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The applicant brownfield party and the commission may agree to remediation of a brownfield property which is not the subject of the application to a risk level of unrestricted use.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 37 / Section 37-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-3
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature finds that:

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

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

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

(2) The purpose of this chapter is to establish a statewide coordinated effort to provide for the management of scientific information to ensure the effective and efficient collection, management, dissemination and analysis of scientific information available to the state and to provide that information in a user-friendly format to governmental agencies, academic institutions, other public and private organizations and the general public for economic development, natural resources and environmental management and other purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-7
Status: in_force

The revenue collected from any increase in license fees pursuant to Chapter 418, Laws of 2016, shall be designated for use by the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for recruitment, training, equipping and compensation of conservation officers to fill existing vacancies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-19
Status: in_force

The Attorney General shall be counsel and attorney for the commission and department and shall provide legal services as may be requested. The executive director is authorized to employ legal counsel, after consultation with the Attorney General, as may be necessary or appropriate for the operation of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-5
Status: in_force

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

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

The commission is also authorized to sell, rent, lease, and dispose of any property acquired by the commission, all property to be sold or disposed of shall be sold or disposed of in the manner provided by law for the sale or disposition of surplus property by other state agencies. Any funds received from the sale, rental or lease of any property herein authorized, to be acquired, shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of a special account, and the commission is hereby authorized to use this fund for the replacement, repairs, and upkeep of any property authorized to be acquired and owned under this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-19-213 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 19-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-213
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized to use the money in the forest development fund to assist in implementing approved practices, on a cost-sharing basis as provided in Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , on eligible lands in the State of Mississippi. However, no cost-share assistance shall be provided an eligible owner to implement any approved practice on any land or lands if the owner receives federal funds for such practice and is using such federal funds for any forest resource development practice on said land or lands. Eligible owners may use federal funds on other lands.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 35-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds:

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

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

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

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

(e) This article will provide incentives for the voluntary cleanup of brownfield property without use of taxpayer funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 28-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-7
Status: in_force

(1) A certified copy of the adopted resolution shall be published in a newspaper having a general circulation within the proposed district once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks before the date specified in the resolution as the date upon which the board of supervisors intends to create the district. The first publication of the notice shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date specified, and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days before the date.

(2) If twenty percent (20%) or one hundred fifty (150), whichever is less, of the qualified electors of the county residing within the proposed district file a written petition with the board of supervisors on or before the date specified in the resolution under subsection 1 of this section protesting the creation of the district, the board of supervisors shall call an election on the question of the creation of the district. The election shall be held and conducted by the election commissioners of the county, as far as is practicable in accordance with the general laws governing elections. The election commissioners shall determine which of the qualified electors of the county reside within the proposed district, and only those qualified electors as reside within the proposed district shall be entitled to vote in the election. Notice of the election setting forth the time, place or places, and purpose of the election shall be published by the clerk of the board of supervisors. The notice shall be published for the time and in the manner provided in Section 49-28-5 for the publication of the resolution of intent. The ballot to be prepared for and used at the election shall be in substantially the following form:

“FOR CREATION OF __________ DISTRICT: ( )

AGAINST CREATION OF __________ DISTRICT: ( ).”

Voters shall vote by placing a cross mark (x) or check mark (✓) opposite their choice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 35 / Section 37-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Expend or distribute any funds or assets in its custody or under its control appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-51 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 27-51
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-51
Status: in_force

(1)(a) If a person in violation of this chapter submits a proper application for any unauthorized work and the commission determines that the work has been conducted in accordance with the public policy as set forth in Section 49-27-3 , the commission shall issue after-the-fact authorization for the work.

(b) For conducting the work without first obtaining a current and valid permit and other violations of this chapter, the commission may order and levy a penalty of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50. 00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day the violation has existed for residential type regulated activity and a penalty of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per day for each day the violation has existed for commercial and industrial type regulated activity.

(2) If the person continues the violation, the Attorney General of the State of Mississippi at the request of the commission, a district attorney having jurisdiction, or a county attorney having jurisdiction may initiate the civil or criminal actions, or both civil and criminal actions, as described in this chapter against the person.

(3) The Attorney General, commission, district attorney or county attorney may initiate action to enjoin any person in violation of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-63 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-63
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person at any time to capture wild fowl or game birds by the use of traps, nets or other contrivances, except as provided by this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 23-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-27
Status: in_force

The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Secretary of Commerce as provided by Title 23, United States Code, relating to the control of outdoor advertising in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems, including the establishment of information centers at safety rest areas, and to take action in the name of the state to comply with the terms of such agreement, provided that the state highway commission shall not have power to enter into any agreement calling for more restrictive control of outdoor advertising than that provided for in Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-94 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-94
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-94
Status: in_force

Such general obligation bonds may be issued without any other proceedings or the happening of any other conditions or things than those proceedings, conditions and things which are specified or required by Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 . Any resolution providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds under the provisions of Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 shall become effective immediately upon its adoption by the state bond commission, and any such resolution may be adopted at any regular, special or adjourned meeting of the state bond commission by a majority of its members.

The bonds authorized under the authority of Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 shall be validated in the chancery court of Hinds County, Mississippi, in the manner and with the force and effect provided now or hereafter by Chapter 13, Title 31, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the validation of county, municipal, school district, and other bonds. The necessary papers for such validation proceedings shall be transmitted to the state bond attorney by the secretary of the state bond commission, and the required notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the City of Jackson, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-21
Status: in_force

The Attorney General shall be counsel and attorney for the commission and Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The Attorney General shall designate one (1) of his deputies or assistants to be counsel and attorney for the commission and the department in all actions, proceedings and hearings. The deputy or assistant so designated shall be legal advisor of the commission and the department in all matters relating to the commission and the department and to the powers and duties of its officers.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-13-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-13-23
Status: in_force

Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). Multiple violations of this chapter shall be assessed fines near the maximum allowable limits. Also, a person with multiple violations of this chapter may, at the discretion of the commission, have his commercial quail breeder's license suspended by operation of law for a period of one (1) year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-29
Status: in_force

In granting or modifying any permit, the commission may impose conditions or limitations on the proposed activity designed to carry out the public policy set forth in this chapter. Permits shall be valid for not more than five (5) years from the date of issuance, except that permits issued to a governmental entity shall be valid for not more than ten (10) years. The commission may issue one (1) extension not to exceed two (2) years in length if the applicant requests it in writing before the expiration date of the permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-84
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) It is unlawful to catch, hold or have in possession any female sponge crab or any female crab bearing visible eggs at any time. It is not unlawful to catch those crabs unintentionally, if the crabs are immediately returned to the water.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-203 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-203
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-203
Status: in_force

The legislature of the State of Mississippi recognizes that the growing demands on forests and related land resources cannot be met by intensive management of public lands and industrial forests alone, and declares that the development of forest resources on poorly stocked, idle and poorly managed lands in Mississippi is needed to insure that Mississippi shall continue to develop its forest economy.

The legislature declares the development of forest resources on suitable lands to be a public policy of the State of Mississippi. The legislature is mindful, in stating this policy, that continuous timber growth of commercially valuable species for needed forest products is in the public interest, and that such growth can be attained, to a considerable degree, by making financial assistance available to private non-industrial landowners for developing forest resources on desirable and suitable sites.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-100.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-100.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-100.1
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to set a gill or trammel net in the marine waters of the state north of Highway 90. Any person, firm or corporation violating this section shall be punished as provided for under Section 49-15-100 and in addition shall forfeit vessel, motor and equipment used in the violation. If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-527 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-527
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-527
Status: in_force

It is unlawful to:

(a) Fail or refuse to comply with any rule, regulation or order of the commission issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ;

(b) Fail or refuse to establish, maintain, provide, copy, or permit access to records or reports as required by Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 regulations adopted under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ;

(c) Fail or refuse to permit entry or inspection as required by Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or regulations adopted under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 ;

(d) Obtain certification through fraudulent representation;

(e) Fail to obtain certification from the commission or the United States Environmental Protection Agency and perform work requiring certification at a job site; or

(f) Fraudulently obtain certification and engage in any lead-based paint activities requiring certification.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 27-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23
Status: in_force

The commission may grant, issue, reissue, modify, deny, suspend or revoke permits and may prescribe limitations and conditions on permits. When taking such action on any permit, the commission shall consider the effect of the proposed activity with reference to the public policy expressed in Section 49-27-3 of this chapter. A permittee under this chapter must obtain a permit from the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality if required by that commission under Sections 49-17-29 through 49-17-43 , and nothing in this chapter is intended to waive the requirements and standards of such commission. A Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality permit granted to an applicant under this chapter shall be proof of the applicant's meeting any water quality standard considered by the commission under this chapter. Any conflict under this chapter between the commission and the Commission on Environmental Quality shall be resolved in favor of the Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission may undertake studies regarding water quality and submit the results of such studies to the Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-517 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-517
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-517
Status: in_force

(1) After August 31, 1998, it is unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid lead-based paint inspector certificate to work as an inspector on a lead-based paint activity.

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

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

(b) Satisfactorily complete an accredited training program for lead-based paint inspectors; and

(c) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-103 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-103
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) That it is the policy of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to manage certain nongame wildlife for human enjoyment, for scientific purposes, and to insure their perpetuation as members of ecosystems;

(b) That species or subspecies of wildlife indigenous to this state which may be found to be endangered within the state should be accorded protection in order to maintain and to the extent possible enhance their numbers;

(c) That the state should assist in the protection of species or subspecies of wildlife which are deemed to be endangered by prohibiting the taking, possession, transportation, exportation, processing, sale or offer for sale or shipment within this state of species or subspecies of wildlife listed on the United States' Lists of Endangered Fish and Wildlife as set forth herein unless such actions will assist in preserving or propagating the species or subspecies; and

(d) That funding may be made available to the department annually by appropriations from the General Fund or from other sources separate and apart from the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund for management of nongame and endangered species.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-23
Status: in_force

The executive director may designate constables as deputy conservation officers, and constables so designated may be permitted to sell hunting and fishing licenses and may retain the fee provided in Section 49-7-17 for issuing each such license.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 21-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-3
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to authorize the impairment of any constitutional right guaranteed to any person under the constitution of this state nor shall it be construed to authorize the legislature or any other authority to assume any power not possessed by it under the constitution of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / Section 33-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-17
Status: in_force

All the provisions of this chapter are subject to Sections 11-46-1 et seq., 49-2-9 , 49-2-13 , 49-17-17 , 17-17-1 , 41-67-3 and 41-67-15, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 35-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-13
Status: in_force

(1) Any material failure of a brownfield party or the agents or employees of a brownfield party to comply with the brownfield agreement constitutes a violation of this section by the brownfield party. If a brownfield party violates this section the commission shall issue an order requiring the brownfield party to correct the violation in an appropriate time period established by the order.

(2) If the brownfield party fails to comply with an order issued under subsection (1) of this section, the brownfield party shall be subject to removal of all liability protection afforded by the brownfield agreement under Section 49-35-15 and shall be subject to civil penalties under Section 49-17-43 .

(3) This section shall not create a defense against the imposition of criminal or civil penalties or other administrative remedies authorized by law for violations of law caused by the brownfield party while implementing or failing to implement the brownfield agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-17
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) The department shall keep accurate reports of monies handled as a part of the permanent records of the department, and the State Treasurer shall furnish the department such forms as may be needed, and the department shall account for such forms in reports to the Treasurer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 39-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-64.5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(3) During open seasons and in open areas, saltwater shrimp may be taken only with shrimp trawls, trawls, butterfly nets, skimmer nets, push trawls, beach seines and cast nets.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-42
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) This section shall apply to all interests existing at the time of passage of this chapter and thereafter created, whether secured or unsecured.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 49-28-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 28-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-21
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors may, upon petition by the board of commissioners of the district, exercise the power of eminent domain on behalf of the district wherever and whenever public necessity and convenience so requires.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 18-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-5
Status: in_force

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

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply:

(a) To a responsible party;

(b) To personal injury or wrongful death; or

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

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

(4) Nothing in this section affects the liability of a responsible party for oil spill response under state law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-25
Status: in_force

(a) Any fire on any forested, cutover, brush lands or grass lands burning uncontrolled is hereby declared a public nuisance by reason of its menace to life and property. Any person, firm or corporation negligently or wilfully and maliciously responsible for the starting or the existence of such fire on land other than his own is hereby required to control or extinguish it immediately, and if said person, firm or corporation shall wilfully refuse, neglect or fail to do so, any organized fire suppression agency recognized by the Mississippi Forestry Commission, may summarily abate the nuisance thus constituted by controlling or extinguishing the fire. The cost of abating such nuisance, with all costs and reasonable attorney's fees to be allowed by the court, may be recovered from the person, firm or corporation responsible for such nuisance by civil action in the proper court, action for said recovery to be filed by the agency abating the nuisance. This section shall not impair any remedy now allowed by law.

(b) Any open cistern or well, which has been abandoned or is no longer used for the purpose of a cistern or well is hereby declared to be a public nuisance by reason of its menace to life and property, and the Mississippi Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to seal such cistern or well upon request of the landowner. A reasonable fee shall be charged for this purpose and all fees collected shall be handled in the same manner as other service charges collected by the commissioner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-53 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / Section 27-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-53
Status: in_force

Jurisdiction and venue for judicial actions brought pursuant to this chapter shall lie in any county or counties in which the alleged violation occurs or in which property affected by such violation is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-47 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-47
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to discharge solid or human waste from any vessel while the vessel is used to harvest or transport oysters in the marine waters of the state.

(2) Each vessel used to harvest or transport oysters is required to have an approved functional marine sanitation device (MSD), portable toilet or other sewage disposal receptacle designed to contain human sewage. The approved marine sanitation device (MSD), portable toilet or other sewage disposal receptacle shall:

(a) Be used only for the purpose intended.

(b) Be secured while on board and located to prevent contamination of shell stock by spillage or leakage.

(c) Be emptied only into an approved sewage disposal system.

(d) Be cleaned before being returned to the vessel.

(e) Not be cleaned with equipment used for washing or processing food.

(3) The use of other receptacles for sewage disposal may be approved by the department if the receptacles are:

(a) Constructed of impervious, cleanable materials and have tight-fitting lids; and

(b) Meet the requirements listed in subsection (2).

(4) Any person, firm or corporation violating the provisions of this chapter, shall, on conviction, be fined not less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and the license of the convicted party shall be revoked for one (1) year. For conviction of a second offense, the fine shall be not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), and the license of the convicted party shall be revoked for two (2) years. For a conviction of a third offense, the fine shall be not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), and the license of the convicted party shall be permanently revoked.

(5) Upon issuance of a citation for a violation of this section, the vessel shall be removed from the oyster reef and any oysters on board the vessel shall be confiscated and disposed of by the department. The vessel shall not be permitted to harvest from any state-owned or private reefs until the vessel is properly equipped as determined by an inspection by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-719 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-19-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 19-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-29
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) Monies remaining in the revolving fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on the revolving fund shall be deposited to the credit of the revolving fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 35-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-21
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 49-2-9 , the commission shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement this article by January 1, 1999. Those regulations may include provisions for determining the eligibility of any person to enter into a brownfield agreement; criteria for inclusion of brownfield property in a brownfield agreement site, including brownfield property under an existing commission agreement or order; requirements for submission of additional information as part of the application or processing of the application and additional requirements for public notice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 28-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9
Status: in_force

If no petition requiring an election is filed or if three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of those voting in the election provided in Section 49-28-7 vote in favor of the creation of the district, the board of supervisors shall adopt a resolution creating the district as described in the resolution of intent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-89 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-89
Status: in_force

Upon the adoption of a resolution by the commission declaring the necessity for issuance of any part or all of the general obligation bonds authorized by Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 and set forth in Section 49-5-88 , the commission shall deliver a certified copy of its resolution or resolutions to the State Bond Commission. Upon receipt of same, the State Bond Commission shall, in its discretion, act as the issuing agent, prescribe the form of the bonds, advertise for and accept bids, issue and sell the bonds so authorized to be sold, and do any and all other things necessary and advisable in connection with the issuance and sale of such bonds. For the payment of said bonds and the interest thereon, the full faith, credit and taxing power of the State of Mississippi are hereby irrevocably pledged. If the Legislature shall find that there are funds available in the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi in amounts sufficient to pay maturing principal and accruing interest of said general obligation bonds, and if the Legislature shall appropriate such available funds for the purpose of paying such maturing principal and accruing interest, then the maturing principal and accruing interest of said bonds shall be paid from appropriations made from the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi by the Legislature thereof; but if there are not available sufficient funds in the General Fund of the Treasury of the State of Mississippi to pay the maturing principal and accruing interest of said bonds, or if such funds are available and the Legislature should fail to appropriate a sufficient amount thereof to pay such principal and accruing interest as the same becomes due, then and in that event there shall annually be levied upon all taxable property within the State of Mississippi an ad valorem tax at a rate sufficient to provide the funds required to pay the said bonds at maturity and the interest thereon as the same accrues.

Such bonds shall bear date or dates, be in such denomination or denominations, bear interest at such rate or rates, be payable at such place or places within or without the State of Mississippi, shall mature absolutely at such time or times, be redeemable prior to maturity at such time or times and upon such terms, with or without premium, shall bear such registration privileges, and shall be substantially in such form, all as shall be determined by resolution of the State Bond Commission. Provided, however, that such bonds shall mature in annual installments beginning not more than two (2) years from date thereof and extending not more than twenty (20) years from date thereof. Such bonds shall be signed by the Chairman of the State Bond Commission, or by his facsimile signature, and the official seal of the State Bond Commission shall be affixed thereto, attested by the Secretary of the State Bond Commission. The interest coupons to be attached to such bonds may be executed by the facsimile signatures of said officers. Whenever any such bonds shall have been signed by the officials herein designated to sign the bonds, who were in the office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officers prior to the sale and delivery of such bonds, or who may not have been in office on the date such bonds may bear, the signatures of such officers upon such bonds and coupons shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially signing such bonds had remained in office until the delivery of the same to the purchaser, or had been in office on the date such bonds may bear.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-9
Status: in_force

The director shall, upon receipt of the proper application provided for in Section 49-9-7 , and the proper fee, issue a license to catch, take or kill mussels. All licenses issued shall be good from the date of issuance to the first day of July following such issuance. Licenses shall be consecutively numbered as issued and a record shall be kept thereof in the office of the department. Such license shall state whether it is a resident or a nonresident license, the address of the licensee, and the amount paid for the license. The license shall also state what waters have been closed to the capture of mussels by the commission. Every person while taking, catching or killing mussels shall have such license in his possession and shall exhibit the same when requested to do so by an authorized officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-36 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-36
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-36
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(5) The department shall establish a reasonable period of time for depuration of oysters replanted from restricted waters. That period of time shall be consistent with the maintenance of the public health and may vary from time to time and from one reef to another in accordance with environmental conditions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-43
Status: in_force

Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, the board of commissioners shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the district is located a sworn statement showing the financial condition of the district, including the revenues and expenses of the district for the fiscal year just ended. The statement shall also be furnished to the board of supervisors of the county in which the district lies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-21
Status: in_force

Documentary evidence offered at hearings and all applications and related documents shall be open for public inspection at the office of the commission at reasonable times. Oral testimony shall be recorded and shall not be required to be transcribed except in the event of appeal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-25-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 25-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-9
Status: in_force

Any junkyard lawfully in existence on June 16, 1966, which is within one thousand (1,000) feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main-traveled way of any highway on the interstate or primary system shall be screened, if feasible, by the state highway commission at locations on the highway right-of-way or in areas acquired for such purposes outside the right-of-way so as not to be visible from the main-traveled way of such highways.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-32 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-32
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-32
Status: in_force

The commission may establish closed seasons on the running, hunting, chasing or pursuing with dogs of raccoon, fox or other wild animals or wild birds during turkey season in designated areas.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 23-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-3
Status: in_force

As used in Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 :

(a) “An unzoned commercial or industrial area” is an area determined by actual land uses which is commercial, industrial, marketing or mercantile, along a state controlled route and extending outward along one (1) side of such highway not more than eight hundred (800) feet from the edge of such activity.

(b) “ Areas which are zoned industrial or commercial ” means an area along a state controlled route that has been zoned or rezoned as industrial or commercial under the authority of any law of this state, which shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, zoning districts customarily referred to as “B” or business, “C” or commercial, “I” or industrial, “M” or manufacturing and “S” or service and all similar classifications.

(c) “ Commission ” means the Mississippi Transportation Commission.

(d) “ Department ” means the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

(e) “ Erect ” means to construct, build, raise, assemble, place, affix, attach, create, paint, draw, or in any other way bring into being or establish an advertising message.

(f) “ Great River Road ” means that portion of highway located within this state as officially designated by the Federal Highway Administration pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(g) “ Information center ” means an area or site established and maintained at safety rest areas for the purpose of informing the public of places of interest within the state and providing such other information as the commission may consider desirable.

(h) “ Interstate system ” means that portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways located within this state, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated, by the commission, and approved pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(i) “ Maintenance ” means repair, replacement, change, renovation or improvement of any outdoor advertising sign as defined herein. Maintenance shall not include the removal or destruction of any outdoor advertising sign.

(j) “ National highway system ” means that portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways located within this state, as officially designated, or as may hereafter be so designated by the commission, and approved pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(k) “ Outdoor advertising ” or “ outdoor advertising sign ” means by outdoor signs, display, light, device, figure, painting, drawing, message, plaque, poster, billboard, or other thing which is designated, intended or used to advertise or inform, any part of which is visible from any place on the main-traveled way of a state controlled route.

(l) “ Primary system ” means that portion of connected main highways, as officially designated by the commission, and approved pursuant to the provisions of Title 23, United States Code, “Highways.”

(m) “ Safety rest area ” means an area or site established and maintained within or adjacent to the right-of-way or under public supervision or control, for the convenience of the traveling public.

(n) “ Scenic byway ” means a highway that is designated as a scenic byway under Section 65-41-1 et seq. without regard to qualification as a Federal Scenic Byway, meaning that both “state” scenic byway as well as “federal” scenic byway shall be included under the general category of “scenic byway.”

(o) “ State controlled routes ” means the Interstate System, the Federal Primary System, the National Highway System, the Great River Road and any scenic byways as defined herein along with any additions or deletions thereto as the Federal Highway Administration shall determine by federal statutes or regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-741 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-741
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-741
Status: in_force

(1) The board of directors of a county authority shall elect annually from its number a president and vice president of the county authority and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the authority and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall act in the absence or disability of the president. Each board also shall appoint a secretary and a treasurer who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine these offices. The treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) as set by the board of directors, and each director may be required to give bond in the sum of not less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), with sureties qualified to do business in this state, and the premiums on the bonds shall be an expense of the authority. Each bond shall be payable to the State of Mississippi, and the condition of each bond shall be that the treasurer and director will faithfully perform all duties of his office and account for all money and other assets which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the authority.

(2) Each director of a county authority shall serve without salary, but shall be entitled to receive per diem pay as provided for in Section 25-3-69 and shall be reimbursed his actual necessary expenses, as provided in Section 25-3-41 , incurred while in the performance of his duties as a member of the board of directors of the authority upon authorization by the board. Expenses shall be paid from available funds of the authority.

(3) All business of a county authority shall be transacted by a majority vote of the total membership of the board of directors. The quorum for any meeting of the board of directors shall be a majority of the total membership of the board of directors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-100.3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-100.3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-100.3
Status: in_force

The possession of a gill net, trammel net or like contrivance, or any other equipment prohibited for use in the taking or harvesting of seafood under this chapter on a vessel on the marine waters of this state where the use of the net, contrivance or equipment is prohibited, shall constitute prima facie evidence that an offense has been committed to take or harvest seafood with nets, contrivances or equipment prohibited by this chapter, unless the vessel is:

(a) Anchored or moored at a permanent facility intended for the mooring of vessels;

(b) Traveling directly between a marina, harbor or public boat launching facility and a United States Coast Guard marked and maintained navigation channel; or

(c) Traveling within a United States Coast Guard marked and maintained navigation channel.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-6 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-6
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, whose principal office shall be located in Jackson, Mississippi.

(2) The department shall be headed by an executive director who shall be appointed by the Governor. The commission shall submit to the Governor three (3) qualified nominees for the position of executive director. The Governor shall appoint the executive director from the list of qualified nominees submitted with the advice and consent of the Senate. The executive director shall serve for a term of four (4) years, consistent with the provisions of Section 7-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The executive director may assign those powers and duties as deemed appropriate to carry out the department's lawful functions. Upon recommendation by the Governor to the commission, the executive director may be removed from office only by both a majority vote of the membership of the commission and the Governor's approval of the removal. To remove the executive director the commission must determine on sound evidence that there is good cause for removal such as willful dereliction in carrying out the duties of executive director, obvious malfeasance in his actions as executive director or conviction of any criminal act. After the determination is made by the commission that the executive director should be removed from office, the commission shall notify the Governor of its determination and the Governor must approve that determination before the executive director is actually removed from office.

(3) The executive director shall appoint heads, who will serve at the pleasure of the executive director.

(4) The executive director shall have the authority to organize the department as deemed appropriate to carry out the responsibilities of the department. The organizational charts of the department shall be presented annually with the budget request of the Governor for review by the Legislature.

(5) The executive director shall develop and implement a merit promotion system for all sworn law enforcement officers. Promotion to higher rank shall be based on an individual's merit and length of service. The executive director shall implement the merit promotion system before July 1, 1995.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 21-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1
Status: reserved

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

ARTICLE 1. Findings, Purposes and Reservations of Power.

(1) Findings.

Signatory states hereby find and declare:

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

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

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

(2) Purposes.

The purposes of the signatories in enacting this compact are:

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

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

(3) Powers of the United States.

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

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

(4) Powers of the States.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE 3. Intergovernmental Cooperation.

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

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

ARTICLE 4. Supplementary Agreements, Jurisdiction and Enforcement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Provided that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE 5. Construction, Amendment and Effective Date.

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

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

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

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

(5) Withdrawal from the Compact. A state may withdraw from this compact by authority of an act of its legislature one (1) year after it notifies all signatories in writing of an intention to withdraw from the compact. Provided, withdrawal from the compact affects obligations of a signatory imposed on it by supplementary agreements to which it may be a party only to the extent and in accordance with the terms of such supplementary agreements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-45
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) Render advisory opinions concerning:

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

(ii) Difficulties encountered; and

(iii) Degree and severity of enforcement;

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

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

(d) Have the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program serve as the secretariat for the development and dissemination of such reports and advisory opinions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-55 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 27-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-55
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who performs or causes to be performed any activity regulated by this chapter for which a permit has not been obtained, violates any provision of this chapter, regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter or any condition of a permit, shall be liable to the State of Mississippi for the restoration of all affected coastal wetlands to their condition prior to such violation, insofar as such restoration is possible, and for any and all damages to the wetlands. The appropriate chancery court by writ of mandatory injunction shall allow a reasonable time for completion of the restoration and may, in its discretion, order as punitive damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day such violation has existed. The chancery court may further order as punitive damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day that the violation exists beyond the date set by the court in its injunction for the restoration of the wetland. If injunctive relief is not sought, the appropriate circuit or county court shall have jurisdiction over any action for damages and/or punitive damages as set forth in this paragraph.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude other statutory or common law remedies by public or private parties against violators or nonviolators of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-529 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-529
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-529
Status: in_force

(1) Any person found by the commission to have violated Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or any rule or regulation or written order of the commission issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or any certificate or accreditation issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation. The penalty may be assessed and levied by order of the commission after notice and hearing in accordance with subsection (5) of this section. In addition, the commission may issue a reprimand or a suspension or revocation of any certificate issued to the person under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 . The reprimand, suspension or revocation may be assessed and levied by order of the commission after notice and hearing as provided in subsection (5) of this section.

(2) In lieu of, or in addition to, the penalty provided for in subsection (1) of this section, the commission may institute and maintain in the name of the state any proceedings necessary to enforce Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 , rules and regulations adopted under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 , and orders and certificates issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 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 it shall not be necessary in those 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 knowingly submits false or inaccurate information in support of an application for issuance or reissuance of an accreditation or a certificate under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or who willfully fails to comply with the conditions of the accreditation or the certificate issued by the commission or who willfully violates Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 , or any rule, regulation or written order of the commission or emergency order issued by the director in pursuance thereof, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) within the discretion of the court. Each day in which that violation exists or continues shall constitute a separate offense.

(4) In addition to or in lieu of filing a criminal complaint for the willful misconduct described in subsection (3) of this section, the commission may impose a civil penalty in accordance with subsection (1)(a) of this section, and shall impose a reprimand or a suspension or revocation of any certificate in accordance with subsection (1)(b) of this section.

(5) All proceedings and hearings before the commission regarding violations of Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 or any rule or regulation, written order of the commission, emergency order of the director or certificate issued or reissued by the commission in pursuance thereof or any certificate issued under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 and all appeals therefrom shall be conducted in accordance with Sections 49-17-31 through 49-17-41, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

(6) All fines, penalties and other sums recovered or collected by the commission for and on behalf of the state under this section shall be deposited in the Pollution Emergency Fund established under Section 49-17-68, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 28-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9
Status: in_force

If no petition requiring an election is filed or if three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) of those voting in the election provided in Section 49-28-7 vote in favor of the creation of the district, the board of supervisors shall adopt a resolution creating the district as described in the resolution of intent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-11
Status: in_force

In addition to the powers and duties now conferred upon the commission, the commission may, in its discretion, purchase by negotiation, contract by option to purchase, provided the option is exercised within a period of ten (10) years from the time executed, the land necessary and requisite for the construction and maintenance of game and fish management projects or game and fish hunting and fishing refuge.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-27
Status: in_force

The department is hereby granted full and complete authority to lease the bottoms within its jurisdiction upon the following terms and conditions:

(1) All areas within the department's jurisdiction, not designated state-owned reefs by this chapter, including natural reefs and all areas not within the boundaries of riparian property owners may be leased by the department.

(2) All individual lessees shall be residents of the State of Mississippi, or if a firm or corporation, such firm or corporation shall be organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi and owned by a resident of the State of Mississippi.

(3) No individual, corporation, partnership or association may lease less than one (1) acre nor more than two thousand five hundred (2,500) acres total; however, in the case of an individual there shall be counted towards such limitation any lands leased by a corporation, partnership or association in which such individual owns ten percent (10%) or less interest and, in the case of a corporation, partnership or association, there shall be counted toward such limitation any lands leased by an individual stockholder, partner or associate thereof who owns ten percent (10%) or less interest in such corporation, partnership or association.

(4) Individuals, firms or corporations desiring to lease bottoms shall make application to the department in writing, describing the area to be leased. Applications must include a plat showing the proposed lease area and description of cultch material type and amount to be deployed on the leased area.

(5)(a) Any person who qualifies and who desires to lease a part of the bottom or bed of any of the waters of this state as provided in this section shall present to the department a written application, and pay an application fee in the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00). This application shall contain the name and address of the applicant and a reasonably definite description of the location and amount of land covered by water desired by the applicant. The department shall establish a system to determine qualifications of applicants. The department shall prioritize applications based on the following criteria, each of which shall be weighted equally:

(i) Experience in oyster reef development;

(ii) Experience in oyster cultivation and harvesting;

(iii) Whether lease applicant is registered with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List for Mississippi, and the length of time the applicant has been registered;

(iv) Amount of acreage to be leased; and

(v) Evidence of applicant's financial ability to perform cultivation and propagation requirements.

The department shall then order an examination to determine whether the water bottoms applied for are leasable.

(b) If the applicant is found to be qualified and the area is found to be leasable, the department shall determine the acreage upon which the rent shall be fixed and enter into a lease with the applicant, who shall pay the prorated annual rent in advance for the remainder of the calendar year. If the applicant is not eligible for a lease, the department shall issue a written notice declining the application with specific reasons for same.

(c) The department has the authority to lease an area to an applicant who has no experience in oyster cultivation as long as the applicant can demonstrate their financial stability and the area applied for has not been requested by another applicant with demonstrated experience.

(d) The department has the authority to reconfigure the lease areas from that requested by the applicant in the manner that promotes maximum utilization of the state's resources. In the event the area requested by the applicant has to be reconfigured, the applicant has the right to refuse the reconfigured area and withdraw their application and receive a refund of their application fee.

(e) The department shall require that the bottoms of water areas to be leased be as definable as possible, taking into consideration such factors as the shape of the body of water, permitted areas, and the condition of the bottom as to hardness or softness which would render it desirable or undesirable for the purpose of oyster cultivation.

(f) A lease applicant may withdraw a lease application and receive a full refund from the department of all application fees, by submitting a written request for withdrawal to the department within ninety (90) days after the department received the application.

(6) Such leases shall be for an initial term of fifteen (15) years, with the lessee having the right of first renewal of the lease for an additional fifteen (15) years, and continue to renew at fifteen-year intervals, at the same ground rental rate so long as lessee actively cultivates and gathers oysters, and complies with the provisions of this chapter. No lease may be transferred without approval by the department of the transfer.

(7) The terms of every lease issued hereunder shall ensure the maximum cultivation and propagation of oysters. Throughout the term of every lease issued hereunder, each lessee shall add cultch and make other necessary efforts to ensure the maximum cultivation and propagation of oysters. The department shall promulgate regulations to set forth guidelines for lessees to follow to ensure the maximum cultivation and propagation of oysters under the lease. The lessee shall submit a written report with supporting documentation to the department of efforts to cultivate and propagate oysters for the previous year. If the department finds a lessee is not making efforts to cultivate and propagate oysters, and the lessee fails to take remedial steps to address same, such lease shall be subject to termination as provided for hereunder.

(8) The department shall fix a ground rental rate at Three Dollars ($3.00) per acre per year. The annual rental payments shall be due by December 31 for the next calendar year.

(9) Any lessee who pays the rent on or after the first day of January shall pay the rent due plus an additional ten percent (10%) penalty. The failure of the lessee to pay the rent punctually on or before the first of each March, ipso facto and without demand or putting in default, terminates and cancels the lease and forfeits to the department all the works, improvements, betterments, and oysters on the leased water bottom. The department may at once enter on the water bottom and take possession thereof. Such water bottom shall then be open for lease in accordance with subsections (5) through (8) of this section. Ten (10) days thereafter the department shall enter the termination, cancellation, and forfeiture on its books and give public notice thereof by publication in one (1) local paper in the county where the formerly leased water bottoms are located. On or before the first day of each February, the department shall issue a written notice of delinquency by certified mail to each lessee who has not yet paid the rent. The department shall also publish notice of such delinquency on its website.

(10) The department shall keep an accurate chart of the areas within its jurisdiction and shall mark on such chart those areas which are under lease. All leases shall be marked by appropriate poles, stakes or buoys of such material as will not injure watercraft, at the expense of the leaseholder. The department shall keep an accurate book, designated “Mississippi Oyster Farms” which shall contain copies of all leases. The department shall maintain a map of designated state-owned, leased areas, and areas available for lease on the department's website. If any lease be cancelled or expire, such fact shall be noted on the face of such lease. Lessees shall be “oyster farmers” for the purposes of any grants, aid, subsidies or other assistance from the federal government or other governmental or private agencies.

(11) All funds derived from leasing shall be paid into the Seafood Fund under Section 49-15-17 , for use by the department to further oyster production in this state, which includes plantings of oysters and cultch materials.

(12) All leases made by the department under the authority of this section shall be subject to the paramount right of the state and any of its political subdivisions authorized by law, to promote and develop ports, harbors, channels, industrial or recreational projects, and all such leases shall contain a provision that in the event such authorized public body shall require the area so leased or any part thereof for such public purposes, that the lease shall be terminated on reasonable notice fixed by the department in such lease. On the termination of any lease, the lessees shall have the right to remove any oysters within the leased area within such time as may be fixed by the department and in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as the department may adopt.

Any person convicted of taking oysters from leased land or from waters that are not of a safe sanitary quality without a permit as provided in Section 49-15-37 shall, on the first offense, forfeit all equipment used, exclusive of any boat or boats; and be fined not to exceed Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) or sentenced not to exceed one (1) year in the county jail, or both. Subsequent convictions shall be punishable by forfeiture of all equipment, including any boat or boats; and a fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or not to exceed two (2) years in prison, or both such fine and imprisonment.

The department is enjoined to cooperate with the Jackson County Port Authority, the Harrison County Development Commission, the municipal port commission and other port and harbor agencies, so that oyster beds shall not be planted in close proximity to navigable channels. The department or lessee shall have no right of action as against any such public body for damages accruing to any natural reef or leased reef by any necessary improvement of such channel in the interest of shipping, commerce, navigation or other purpose authorized by law.

(13) A lessee has the exclusive use of the water bottoms leased and all oysters and cultch grown or placed thereon. However, this exclusive right is subordinate to the rights and responsibilities of the state, any political subdivision of the state, the United States, or any agency or agent thereof, to take action in furtherance of coastal protection, conservation or restoration.

(14) In order to protect the health and safety of the residents of the State of Mississippi, the terms and conditions relating to the leasing of bottoms provided in this section shall be fully applicable to any lease executed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources prior to April 17, 2023, and the department shall revise any lease issued prior to April 17, 2023, as necessary in order to comply with the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-21-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 21-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-3
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to authorize the impairment of any constitutional right guaranteed to any person under the constitution of this state nor shall it be construed to authorize the legislature or any other authority to assume any power not possessed by it under the constitution of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-525 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-525
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-525
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(e) Fees collected under this section shall not supplant or reduce in any way the general fund appropriation to the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-213 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 19-213
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-213
Status: in_force

The commission is authorized to use the money in the forest development fund to assist in implementing approved practices, on a cost-sharing basis as provided in Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , on eligible lands in the State of Mississippi. However, no cost-share assistance shall be provided an eligible owner to implement any approved practice on any land or lands if the owner receives federal funds for such practice and is using such federal funds for any forest resource development practice on said land or lands. Eligible owners may use federal funds on other lands.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-171 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 19-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-171
Status: in_force

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

SOUTHEASTERN INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE PROTECTION COMPACT

Article I.

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

Article II.

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

Article III.

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

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

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

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

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

Article IV.

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

Article V.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article VI.

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

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

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

Article VII.

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

Article VIII.

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

Article IX.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each state ratifying it until the legislature or the governor of such state, as the laws of such state provide, takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until six (6) months after notice thereof has been sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-29
Status: in_force

In granting or modifying any permit, the commission may impose conditions or limitations on the proposed activity designed to carry out the public policy set forth in this chapter. Permits shall be valid for not more than five (5) years from the date of issuance, except that permits issued to a governmental entity shall be valid for not more than ten (10) years. The commission may issue one (1) extension not to exceed two (2) years in length if the applicant requests it in writing before the expiration date of the permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-143 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-143
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-143
Status: in_force

Any person who has been convicted of a Class II violation shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than sixty (60) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-25
Status: repealed

(1) Prior to the adoption, amendment or repeal of rules and regulations necessary to implement this chapter, Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 , Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 , Sections 37-138-1 through 37-138-31 , and all other laws administered by the department, the commission shall conduct a public hearing or hearings thereon after public notice. Such notice shall be given by publication once a week for three (3) successive weeks in a newspaper having a general circulation throughout the state. The notice shall contain a description of the proposed regulation and the time, date and place of the hearing.

(2) Additionally, the adoption, amendment or repeal of any rule or regulation under this chapter, Sections 17-17-1 through 17-17-47 , Sections 21-27-201 through 21-27-221 , Sections 37-138-1 through 37-138-31 and all other laws administered by the department shall be governed by the “Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law.” Any rule or regulation heretofore or hereafter adopted, amended or repealed in substantial compliance with the procedural requirements under Section 25-43-7 shall be valid. A proceeding to contest any rule or regulation on the ground of noncompliance with the procedural requirements of this section must be commenced within one (1) year from the effective date of the rule or regulation.

(3) Notice of rules and regulations adopted by the commission shall be published once in a newspaper having general circulation throughout the state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-173 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 19-173
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-173
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 49-19-171 , 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. § 49-19-351 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-17-16 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-16
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-16
Status: in_force

(1)(a) An Advisory Council, hereinafter referred to as “Advisory Council,” is created to conduct an independent study of the costs for the development and administration of the Title V program within the Department of Environmental Quality and to conduct an annual review of the costs of administering such programs.

(b) The costs to be included within the study for the Title V program shall be those costs set forth in Section 49-17-14 . After completing a study of the program needs and costs, the Advisory Council shall recommend an equitable fee system for the Title V program. The annual review of the Title V program shall determine if the fee system is collecting sufficient funds to meet the program needs. The Advisory Council shall recommend an appropriate fee schedule for the upcoming fee year and, if necessary, recommend changes to the existing fee system so that sufficient funds are collected through an equitable fee system. Each annual review report shall be due January 1 of each year to the commission and the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality.

(2) The Department of Environmental Quality shall assist the Advisory Council by providing any information the Advisory Council may require to perform its duties under Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-45 .

(3) The Advisory Council shall be composed of the following seven (7) persons appointed as follows: three (3) representatives of industries that qualify for inclusion under the Title V program, that are required to pay the program fee, with one (1) such representative to be appointed by the Governor, one (1) by the Lieutenant Governor and one (1) by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority; the President of the Mississippi Manufacturers Association; the President of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation; and the Chairman of the Mississippi Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel. Nonappointed members of the Advisory Council may designate an alternate member to act in their stead in performing any function of the Advisory Council. The length of term for each member of the Advisory Council shall be four (4) years. Members of the Advisory Council may serve successive and multiple terms.

(4) Vacancies on the Advisory Council shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointments.

(5) The Advisory Council shall select from their membership a chairperson to preside over meetings and a vice chairperson to preside in the absence of the chairperson or when the chairperson shall be excused. The Advisory Council shall adopt procedures governing the manner of conducting its business. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum to do business.

(6) Members of the Advisory Council shall serve without salary. The members of the Advisory Council shall be entitled to receive reimbursement of their actual travel and hotel expenses as provided in Section 25-3-41 , incurred while in the performance of their duties as members of the Advisory Council to be paid on an itemized statement approved by the State Fiscal Officer. Expenses shall be paid from fees collected in accordance with Section 49-17-30 .

(7) The Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall provide technical, clerical and other support services, including services by contract, as the Advisory Council determines that it requires in the performance of its functions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-7
Status: in_force

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

(2) The words “ Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Commission ” wherever they may appear in the laws of the State of Mississippi shall be construed to mean the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 23-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) The board of supervisors of the county, for an outdoor advertising sign that is located outside the corporate limits of any incorporated municipality, and the governing authorities of a municipality, for an outdoor advertising sign that is located within the corporate limits of the municipality, may prohibit any outdoor advertising sign that contains any message or depiction of a sexually explicit nature.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 23-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-27
Status: in_force

The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Secretary of Commerce as provided by Title 23, United States Code, relating to the control of outdoor advertising in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary highway systems, including the establishment of information centers at safety rest areas, and to take action in the name of the state to comply with the terms of such agreement, provided that the state highway commission shall not have power to enter into any agreement calling for more restrictive control of outdoor advertising than that provided for in Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-27-53 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-53
Status: in_force

Jurisdiction and venue for judicial actions brought pursuant to this chapter shall lie in any county or counties in which the alleged violation occurs or in which property affected by such violation is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-43 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-43
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of an appeal, the clerk of the chancery court shall serve notice thereof upon the commission, whereupon the commission shall within sixty (60) days, or within such additional time as the court may for cause allow, from the service of such notice certify to the chancery court the record in the case, which record shall include a transcript of all testimony, all objections, all exhibits or copies thereof, all pleadings, proceedings, orders, findings and opinions entered in the case; provided, however, that the parties and the commission may stipulate that only a specified portion of the record shall be certified to the court as the record on appeal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-96 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-96
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-96
Status: in_force

Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but said sections shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state whereunder projects of the character herein defined may be constructed or financed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-23
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks are hereby authorized and empowered to establish the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, and when such line has been established and notice thereof given as provided herein, it shall be recognized in the courts in connection with any proceedings under the game and fish laws of this state. Such line may be changed from time to time by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks on proper publication of such changes.

(b) In establishing the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, no part of the Bay of St. Louis shall be declared to be fresh water.

(c) In establishing the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, none of the waters within the municipal boundaries of the City of Pascagoula, as they existed on January 1, 1981, shall be declared to be fresh water.

(d) In establishing the dividing line between salt and fresh waters, no part of Bayou Cassotte and its tributaries, Bang Bayou and its tributaries, Bayou Cumbest and its tributaries, Crooked Bayou, Middle Bayou and that part of Heron Bayou with its tributaries which lie in the State of Mississippi shall be declared to be fresh water.

(2) Whenever any dividing line is established or changed as above provided, notice shall be given to the public by publication for three (3) weeks in a newspaper published and having general circulation in the county or counties affected thereby, and a description of the dividing line shall be filed in the office of the chancery clerk of such counties or county.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-37
Status: in_force

(1) Any resident of this state licensed to hunt or otherwise take any legal game bird or game animal in this state by or with the use of firearms, may hunt, kill, shoot or otherwise take game animals or game birds by the use of falcons or hawks as may be prescribed by the commission and in compliance with federal guidelines.

(2)(a) The commission may extend the special archery seasons on any public hunting projects, game refuges or prescribed areas having surplus deer populations.

(b) The commission may declare a special season in any area of the state where the need to collect samples for testing for chronic wasting disease (CWD) is indicated. Special seasons for collecting CWD testing samples may be set within the open season or, if necessary, outside the open season. Lawful weapons for hunting during any special CWD sample collection season shall be consistent with the then-current open season or, if outside the open season, as directed by order of the commission.

(3) The killing by primitive firearms of an antlerless deer or any other deer protected during the regular deer season is prohibited, but the commission may designate areas of the state in which the killing of antlerless deer may be permitted or limited.

(4) The commission may make reasonable rules and regulations concerning the special seasons with falcons and hawks, bow and arrow, primitive firearms, air guns, air bows and pre-charged pneumatic weapons which it deems necessary and proper. The commission shall define the terms “primitive firearm,” “air gun,” “air bow” and “pre-charged pneumatic weapon” for purposes of this section and other law or regulation.

(5) Air guns shall be lawful for hunting small game during the seasons for hunting small game. Air bows and pre-charged pneumatic weapons shall be lawful for hunting large game, except game birds, turkeys and migratory waterfowl. Air bows and pre-charged pneumatic weapons may be used during any open season on deer with primitive weapons after November 30, on private lands only, consistent with the requirements of Section 49-7-31(5)(a) .

(6) The use of dogs shall be prohibited for hunting deer during any of the special hunting seasons.

(7) In addition to a hunting license allowing the taking of deer, any resident desiring to hunt deer with bow and arrow or primitive firearm during primitive weapon or archery season or special hunts established by the commission shall purchase a special resident archery and/or primitive firearms license at a fee of Fourteen Dollars ($14.00) for each license plus the fee provided in Section 49-7-17 .

(8) Any person violating this section is guilty of a Class II violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143 .

(9) All seasons provided for herein shall begin on Saturday.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-305 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-305
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(f) To carry out all regulations and rules adopted by the department and enforce all licenses and permits issued by the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-507
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(m) To discharge other duties, responsibilities and powers necessary to implement Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 25-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) Those which are not visible from the main-traveled way of the system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-23
Status: in_force

The operator shall furnish and issue a consecutively numbered certificate to any hunter or person leaving with harvested game. The certificate shall bear the license number and name of the shooting preserve or commercial wildlife enclosure or its licensed operator. The certificate shall contain the person's name, address, date of issuance and number and species of harvested game in possession. The certificate must remain with the harvested game until the game is prepared for consumption.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 35-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-9
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(2) The department may conduct a public hearing on the proposed brownfield agreement in the county in which the majority of the proposed brownfield agreement site is located, or in any other location in the local area of the proposed brownfield agreement site that is convenient to the members of the public who may have an interest in the proposed brownfield agreement. The department shall publish a notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or counties in which the proposed brownfield agreement site is located. The department shall provide to the commission for review before its consideration of the proposed brownfield agreement all public comments and the transcript of any public hearing on the proposed brownfield agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-407 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-17-401 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-15-46 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-46
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-46
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) Vessels licensed under Section 49-15-46 may keep in whole, for personal consumption up to thirty-six (36) blue crabs (portunidae family), per day. This exemption for personal consumption does not apply to fish or crabs that are otherwise illegal to possess or catch.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-12.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 7-12.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-12.1
Status: in_force

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

(2) Any nonresident who imports nongame gross fish into the state for the purpose of resale to a wholesale or retail dealer or to a consumer shall obtain a nonresident commercial fishing license.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-31.4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-31.4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-31.4
Status: in_force

(1) The commission may fix the open season on fur-bearing animals between November 1 and March 15 next following and fix the open season for hunting opossums, raccoons and bobcats with dogs and guns by licensed hunters from October 1 to March 15 next following; but raccoons and bobcats may be run, hunted, chased or pursued throughout the year with dogs by licensed hunters.

(2) The commission may establish an additional open season on raccoon from July 1 through October 1, and the bag limit on raccoon during the additional open season shall be one (1) per party, per night.

(3) When the open season on fur-bearing animals, including any additional open season on raccoon, ends on a Friday, the commission shall have the authority to extend the season until thirty (30) minutes after sunset on the following Sunday.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-301 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-301
Status: in_force

(1) The Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources is hereby established and full power is vested in the advisory commission to advise the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources on all matters pertaining to all saltwater aquatic life and marine resources. The advisory commission shall advise the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources on the administration of the Coastal Wetlands Protection Law and the Public Trust Tidelands Act. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the commission shall only be an advisory commission to the Department of Marine Resources and shall not have independent authority to take official action on behalf of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and its actions are purely advisory in nature. Whenever the terms “Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources,” “Commission on Marine Resources” and “commission” when referring to the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources appear in any state law, they shall mean the “Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources.”

(2) The reconstituted Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources shall consist of five (5) members to be appointed as follows:

(a) The Governor shall appoint five (5) members who shall be residents of Jackson, Harrison and Hancock Counties with the advice and consent of the Senate. The Governor shall appoint at least one (1) member from each county but not more than two (2) members from any one (1) county. The members designated in subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iv) must be a resident of the county where the business he is appointed to represent is located.

(b) The advisory commission shall be composed as follows:

(i) One (1) member shall be a commercial seafood processor.

(ii) One (1) member shall be a commercial fisherman.

(iii) One (1) member shall be a recreational sports fisherman.

(iv) One (1) member shall be a charter boat operator.

(v) One (1) member shall be a member of an incorporated nonprofit environmental organization.

(c) Of the initial members appointed by the Governor, the members designated in subparagraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) shall serve for an initial term of two (2) years and one (1) member shall be appointed from each county. The members designated in subparagraphs (iv) and (v) shall serve an initial term of four (4) years. All terms after the initial terms shall be for a period of four (4) years.

(d) Any vacancy in the office of an appointed member of the advisory commission shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the balance of the unexpired term.

(3) Each member shall have a demonstrated history of involvement in the matter of jurisdiction for which he is appointed to represent and his employment and activities must not conflict with the matter of jurisdiction represented. A member shall not have a record of conviction of violation of fish and game or seafood laws or regulations within the five (5) years preceding his appointment or a record of any felony conviction. After July 1, 1999, if a member is convicted of a violation of the seafood laws during his term, his office shall be deemed vacant and the Governor shall fill the vacancy as provided in this section.

(4) The advisory commission shall elect a chairman who shall preside at all meetings of the commission, and the advisory commission shall also elect a vice chairman who shall serve in the absence or inability of the chairman.

(5) Each member shall be paid actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings of the advisory commission and in performing his duties away from his domicile under assignment by the advisory commission. In addition, members shall receive the per diem authorized in Section 25-3-69 .

(6) The advisory commission shall adopt rules and regulations governing times and places of meetings.

(7) The advisory commission shall not take any action without the approval of the Department of Marine Resources, and such action shall be included in the minutes of the advisory commission. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the advisory commission.

(8) The advisory commission shall advise the Department of Marine Resources on how to devise a plan to make licenses available in each coastal county.

(9)(a) There is hereby created a Marine Resources Technical Advisory Council composed of the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Research Lab, or his designee; the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, or his designee; and the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, or his designee.

(b) The council shall give technical assistance to the department.

(10) For purposes of this section the following definitions apply:

(a) “ Charter boat operator ” means an individual who operates a vessel for hire, guiding sports fishermen for a fee and is duly licensed to engage in such activity in the State of Mississippi.

(b) “ Commercial fisherman ” means a fisherman who sells, barters or exchanges any or all of his catch or who is paid for attempting to catch marine species, and is duly licensed to engage in commercial fishing.

(c) “ Commercial seafood processor ” means an individual who engages in the business of purchasing seafood products and preparing them for resale and who is duly licensed to engage in such commercial activity in the State of Mississippi.

(d) “ Incorporated environmental nonprofit organization ” means an organization duly incorporated in any state as a nonprofit organization and whose stated goals and purposes are the conservation of natural resources.

(e) “ Recreational sports fisherman ” means an individual who catches or harvests marine species only for recreation or personal consumption and not for sale. The individual must possess a saltwater sports fishing license, be a member of an incorporated nonprofit sports fishing organization and not possess a commercial fishing or seafood processor license.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-31
Status: in_force

The commission may require a performance bond in an amount to be set by the commission with surety and satisfactory conditions securing to the state compliance with the conditions and limitations set forth in any permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-108 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-108
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-108
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

It is the intent of the legislature that the terms used in this section shall have the meanings set forth in Section 49-17-101 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-64
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64
Status: in_force

Any operator, firm or corporation engaged in commercial shrimping during the closed season shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

Upon an arrest for a violation of this section, catch and nets may be confiscated. Any catch may be sold by the law enforcement agency making the arrest at the average wholesale price being paid for shrimp. The monies derived from the sale shall be held in escrow pending disposition of the charge. If a conviction is obtained, the monies held in escrow shall be forfeited. The monies so forfeited shall be paid to the department, to be paid into the seafood fund. If the operator, firm or corporation is acquitted of the charge or if the charge is dismissed, then the monies obtained from the sale shall be paid to the proper operator, firm or corporation. Forfeiture of confiscated nets and paraphernalia shall be instituted under Sections 49-7-251 through 49-7-257 . If the person in possession of or using the nets in the violation is not the owner or licensee of the nets, the department shall notify the owner or licensee of the nets. The nets shall be subject to forfeiture unless the nets were stolen and prosecution for the theft is initiated.

The commission may issue special permits for the purpose of catching shrimp prior to the official opening of shrimp season, to those nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501(c) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and which have on file with the State Tax Commission a tax exemption letter issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service. However, until January 1, 1992, the requirement that a nonprofit organization have on file with the State Tax Commission a tax exemption letter issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service shall be considered as having been met if the organization has actually made application for such exemption and has on file with the State Tax Commission a copy of its application.

The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the taking of shrimp by the nonprofit organization and shall issue such regulations to all organizations upon request and at the issuance of the special permit.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 31 / 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. § 49-19-171 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-171
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-171
Status: in_force

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

SOUTHEASTERN INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE PROTECTION COMPACT

Article I.

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

Article II.

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

Article III.

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

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

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

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

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

Article IV.

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

Article V.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article VI.

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

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

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

Article VII.

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

Article VIII.

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

Article IX.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each state ratifying it until the legislature or the governor of such state, as the laws of such state provide, takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until six (6) months after notice thereof has been sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-5-157 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-157
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-157
Status: in_force

(1) A natural area preserve is held in trust by the State of Mississippi for present and future generations and shall be managed and protected according to the rules and regulations set forth by the commission. A natural area preserve is hereby declared to be at the highest, best and most important use for the public.

(2) The commission shall inspect or provide for the inspection of at least annually, each natural area preserve to insure that the terms of the articles of dedication are being respected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-19
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any officer, authorized to issue the licenses mentioned in this chapter, to knowingly issue a resident license or nonresident license to any person physically or mentally unfit to carry or use firearms.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 26-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Channel Maintenance Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-761 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-761
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-761
Status: in_force

Bonds issued under the provisions of this act shall not be deemed to constitute, within the meaning of any constitutional or statutory limitation, an indebtedness of the county authority. Such bonds shall be payable solely from the revenues or assets of the county authority pledged therefor. Each bond issued under this act shall contain on the face thereof a statement to the effect that such county authority shall not be obligated to pay the same nor the interest thereon except from the revenues or assets pledged therefor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-513 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-513
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-513
Status: in_force

(1) After August 31, 1998, it is unlawful for any person who does not possess a valid lead-based paint project designer certificate to prepare abatement project designs, occupant protection plans and abatement reports.

(2) To qualify for a lead-based paint project designer certificate, an applicant shall:

(a)(i) Be a registered professional engineer or a licensed architect; or

(ii) Have a bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture or a profession related to engineering or architecture and one (1) year of experience in building design or a related field, as determined by the commission; or

(iii) Have an associate's degree and two (2) years of experience in building design or a related field, as determined by the commission; or

(iv) Have a high school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of experience in building design or a related field, as determined by the commission;

(b) Satisfactorily complete an accredited training program for lead-based paint project designers and lead-based paint supervisor; and

(c) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.