Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-28-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 28-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-13
Status: in_force

Any party having an interest in the subject matter and aggrieved or prejudiced by the findings and adjudication of the board of supervisors may appeal to the circuit court of the county in the manner provided by law for appeals from orders of the board of supervisors. However, if no appeal is taken within fifteen (15) days after the date of the adoption of the resolution creating the district, the creation of the district shall be final and shall not be subject to attack in any court after that time.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-15-64.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-64.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(4) The redesignation of beacon numbers by the United States Coast Guard shall not alter the description of the boundary described in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.2 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-64.2
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.2
Status: in_force

Any person shall be allowed to take shrimp in the bays located within and surrounding the cities of Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Gautier, Ocean Springs and Pascagoula with a cast net, but shall not take more than fifty (50) pounds of shrimp per person per day for personal consumption. The cast net shall not exceed twelve (12) feet in length.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-303 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-303
Status: in_force

The advisory commission shall have the following powers and duties:

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

(b) To advise the executive director on whether to execute contracts, grants and cooperative agreements with any public or private institution, federal or state agency or any subdivision thereof to carry out the duties of the commission; and

(c) To advise the department on whether to adopt, amend or repeal any rules and regulations necessary for the operation of the department necessary for the protection, conservation and propagation of seafood, and necessary for the management of commercial and recreational taking of seafood.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to grant to the commission any jurisdiction or authority to make any rule or regulation, recommendation or determination or to enter any order with respect to air conditions existing solely within the property boundaries of commercial and industrial plants, works, or shops or to affect the relations between employers and employees with respect to or arising out of any air condition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-161 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-161
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-161
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(c) “ Stamp ” means the state migratory waterfowl stamp or the electronic equivalent furnished by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 28-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-1
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this section, any contiguous area situated within any county of the state located along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and not being situated within the corporate boundaries of any existing municipality, and experiencing shoreline and beach erosion and other related problems, may become incorporated as a shoreline and beach preservation district in the manner set forth in the following sections. The purpose of the district shall be to provide for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance and improvement of shoreline and beach improvement projects, including habitat restoration projects. This chapter shall not apply to Harrison County or Hancock County, Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-507
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(m) To discharge other duties, responsibilities and powers necessary to implement Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 17-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-13
Status: in_force

(1) The commission is hereby designated as the pollution control agency for this state to administer federal pollution control legislation and programs and interstate or regional agreements pertaining to solid or hazardous waste management.

(2) The commission shall have the right to call upon and receive the assistance of any officer, board, department, school, university or any other state agency, and officers and employees thereof, for any reasonable assistance necessary or beneficial in carrying out the provisions of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-5-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-17-516 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-516
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-516
Status: in_force

(1) After July 1, 2009, it is unlawful for an individual who does not possess a valid lead-based paint renovator certificate to direct a lead-based paint renovation activity and/or conduct testing to determine the presence of lead-based paint on components affected by renovation activities.

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

(a) Have a high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of experience as a lead-based paint abatement or renovation worker or two (2) years of experience in a related field, as determined by the commission or in the building trades;

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

(c) Have successfully completed an accredited abatement worker or supervisor course, or have successfully completed an EPA, HUD or EPA/HUD model renovation training course and have taken an accredited refresher renovator training course; and

(d) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-103 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-103
Status: in_force

Upon compliance with procedures prescribed herein, and subject to the provisions hereinafter stated in Sections 49-17-105 through 49-17-123 , any municipality is hereby authorized and empowered:

(a) To acquire, purchase, construct, operate, maintain and replace pollution control facilities;

(b) To enlarge, expand and improve existing pollution control facilities;

(c) To issue bonds for the purpose of defraying the cost of facilities contemplated by subsections (a) and (b) above;

(d) To enter into agreements with any industry situated in the municipality to construct, operate, maintain, repair and replace said facilities;

(e) To enter into a lease/sale with an industry for the lease and/or sale of such facilities to such industry;

(f) To accept any state or federal grant that may be available to defray any part of the cost of such facilities. Provided, however, the agreements contemplated by subsections (d) and (e) above shall contain terms and conditions under which the industry shall pay to the municipality, or trustee, if any, for the bonds contemplated by subsection (c) above, such sums of money and at such periods as will equal the aggregate of principal, interest and redemption premium, if any, due on the bonds and also the costs, if any, to the municipality of operating, maintaining, insuring, repairing and replacing such facilities, or portions thereof, including a reasonable amount for reserves. Provided, further, any agreement contemplated by subsection (e) above shall further contain terms and conditions pursuant to which the said facilities shall be conveyed to the industry.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-351 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-8-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 8-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-15
Status: in_force

A violation of this chapter is a Class I violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-141, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-727 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-727
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-727
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created and established a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the State of Mississippi to be known as the “Harrison County Utility Authority.” The authority is composed of the geographic area of Harrison County as defined in Section 19-1-47, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for the planning, acquisition, construction, maintenance, operation and coordination of water, wastewater, storm water and solid waste systems in order to ensure the delivery of water, wastewater, storm water and solid waste services to citizens residing within the boundaries of Harrison County.

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

(3) Upon consolidation, the following shall apply:

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

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

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

(d) All employees of the Harrison County Wastewater and Solid Waste Management District shall become employees of the Harrison County Utility Authority. Nothing in this act shall affect the civil service status, if any, of those employees or their rights, privileges, obligations or status with respect to any pension or retirement system.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-68 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-68
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-68
Status: in_force

The Pollution Emergency Fund is hereby created in the State Treasury. All fines, penalties or other money recovered or collected by the commission under Sections 17-17-29 and 49-17-43 shall be deposited into appropriate accounts in such fund. The commission is further authorized to receive and accept additional funds from any other source to be deposited into the Pollution Emergency Fund. The commission is authorized to utilize any funds in the Pollution Emergency Fund for the purpose of mitigation, abatement, clean-up or other remedial actions and related technical investigations involving the introduction of pollutants, including hazardous wastes, upon or into the land, air or waters of this state and may be used for the purpose of providing the required state matching funds to assist the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in furtherance of its remedial clean-up program. When the acceptance of such funds by the commission is conditioned on the return of those funds to the grantor after use and recovery, such funds shall be returned to the grantor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 27-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-13
Status: in_force

The commission may cause a copy of any application to be mailed immediately to the following parties:

(1) The chief administrative officer in the municipality or municipalities where any part of the proposed activity will be located;

(2) The president of the board of supervisors of any county where any part of the proposed activity will be located;

(3) The Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks;

(4) The county attorney of any county in which any part of the proposed activity will be located or in any county which may be affected by such activity;

(5) The district attorney of any judicial district in which any part of the proposed activity will be located or of any district which may be affected by such activity; and

(6) The Director of the Gulf Regional Planning Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 15-84.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-84.1
Status: in_force

(1) The commission may establish a closed season for the use of crab traps in the public waters of this state. The commission may designate the closed season as not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days per year. Any crab trap remaining in the public waters after the expiration to the seventh day of a closed season may be considered as abandoned under the regulations established by the commission.

(2) The commission shall adopt rules to govern the removal and disposal of abandoned crab traps as necessary to enhance:

(a) The conservation and management of crab resources;

(b) Boating safety;

(c) The cleanliness of the beds and bottoms of the public waters of the state; and

(d) Enforcement of this chapter.

(3) Abandoned crab traps are litter and are subject to immediate removal and disposal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-9-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-9-15
Status: in_force

The commission shall set hearings at such times and places, after having given thirty (30) days notice thereof by publication in some newspaper published in the State of Mississippi of general circulation within the state, at which hearings evidence shall be received in regard to the operation of boats and equipment in the taking of mussels in the fresh waters of this state. After such hearings, the commission shall issue reasonable rules and regulations in regard to same, and if the evidence so indicates, shall, in order to prevent the depletion of mussel beds and to insure the proper propagation of mussels, adopt such regulations as it deems necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 28-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-13
Status: in_force

Any party having an interest in the subject matter and aggrieved or prejudiced by the findings and adjudication of the board of supervisors may appeal to the circuit court of the county in the manner provided by law for appeals from orders of the board of supervisors. However, if no appeal is taken within fifteen (15) days after the date of the adoption of the resolution creating the district, the creation of the district shall be final and shall not be subject to attack in any court after that time.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-507 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 49-27-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 27-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-27
Status: in_force

In considering permits to dredge new channels by applicants under subsection (c) of Section 49-27-11 , the commission shall take into consideration in addition to Section 47-27-23 the benefit of such channel to the public at large, or to surrounding landowners, and the extent of use projected for the channel, as well as the ecological, economic, commercial, recreational and aesthetic value of the wetlands affected. The commission shall, where practical, require applicants to use existing channels, so as to reduce the coastal wetlands affected.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-113 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-113
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-113
Status: in_force

In order to carry out further the program herein authorized, the state forestry commission be and it is hereby authorized to organize, divide or set up forest districts and areas throughout the state, which districts and areas shall be so organized, divided or set up in accordance with the distribution of forest land and the location of political boundaries as to best serve the interest of the state as a whole. The commission shall appoint a district forester and assistant district forester for each district and shall appoint an area forester for each forest area, all of whom shall be charged with the duty of directing forestry education, timber management, forest fire control and other necessary forestry conservation activities and practices as the commission shall deem necessary.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-44.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-44.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-44.1
Status: in_force

If the commission determines that any privately owned sewer system that is certificated by the Public Service Commission and within its jurisdiction has been actually or effectively abandoned by its owner, or that its management is grossly inefficient or irresponsible, and the abandonment or management has created an environmental problem that endangers public health, the commission may petition the chancery court of any county wherein the privately-owned sewer system is located for an order attaching the assets of the privately-owned sewer system and placing such sewer system under the sole control and responsibility of a receiver. Any person served by the sewer system shall have standing to intervene in the chancery proceeding as an interested party. If the court determines that the petition is proper in all respects and finds, after a hearing thereon, the allegations contained in the petition are true, it shall order that the sewer system be placed in receivership. The court, in its discretion and in consideration of the recommendation of the commission, may appoint a receiver who shall be a responsible individual, partnership, corporation or political subdivision knowledgeable in sewer service affairs and who shall maintain control and responsibility for the operation and management of the affairs of such sewer system. The receiver shall operate the sewer system so as to preserve the assets of the sewer system and to serve the best interests of its customers while protecting public health and welfare and the environment. The receiver shall be compensated from the assets of the sewer system in an amount to be determined by the court. Control of and responsibility for the sewer system shall remain in the receiver until the court determines that it is in the best interests of the customers and the public interest that the sewer system be returned to the owner, transferred to another owner, or assumed by another sewer system or public service corporation. If the court, after hearing, determines that control of and responsibility for the affairs of the sewer system should not be returned to the legal owner thereof, the receiver may proceed to liquidate the assets of the sewer system in the manner provided by law. Mississippi laws and Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure generally applicable to receivership shall govern receiverships created under this section. Any new owner or operator of a sewer system transferred or liquidated by the receiver or the chancery court under this subsection shall obtain all necessary permits and approvals from the Permit Board, the Public Service Commission and any other applicable state or local agencies.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-99 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-99
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to existing rights, lands managed by the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall be open to access and use for recreational hunting except as limited by the commission for reasons of public safety, homeland security, or as otherwise limited by law.

(2) The commission shall exercise its authority to manage lands in a manner to support, promote and enhance recreational hunting opportunities to the extent authorized by law.

(3) The commission is not required to give preference to hunting over other uses or priorities established by state law.

(4) To the greatest practicable extent, commission land management decisions and actions may not result in any net loss of any acreage available for hunting opportunities that exists on July 1, 2006.

(5) Before January 1 of each year, the commission shall submit to the chairmen of the respective wildlife committees in each house a written report containing:

(a) The acreage managed by the commission that has been closed to recreational hunting during the previous year and the reasons for the closures; and

(b) The acreage managed by the commission that was opened to recreational hunting to compensate for the acreage that was closed during the previous year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 35-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-31
Status: in_force

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Incentives Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-17
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to grant to the commission any jurisdiction or authority to make any rule or regulation, recommendation or determination or to enter any order with respect to air conditions existing solely within the property boundaries of commercial and industrial plants, works, or shops or to affect the relations between employers and employees with respect to or arising out of any air condition.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-721 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-721
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-721
Status: in_force

(1) All powers of the Pearl River County Utility Authority shall be exercised by a board of directors comprised of seven (7) directors appointed as follows: Within thirty (30) days of April 18, 2006, the Board of Supervisors of Pearl River County shall appoint four (4) residents from the county, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Picayune shall appoint two (2) residents from the city, and the Board of Aldermen of the City of Poplarville shall appoint one (1) resident from the city. The directors shall serve at the will and pleasure of the governing body making the appointments.

(2) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-145 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-145
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-145
Status: in_force

(1) The Legislature states that the purpose of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 is to establish a registration procedure by which owners of natural areas may voluntarily agree to manage and protect the areas according to rules set forth by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(2) The Legislature states that the purpose of Sections 49-5-141 through 49-5-157 is also to establish a dedication procedure by which owners of natural areas may voluntarily agree to convey any or all of their right, title and interest in the property to the State of Mississippi to be managed and protected by an appropriate agency designated by the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for the people of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-771 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-771
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-771
Status: in_force

The state hereby covenants with the registered owners of any bonds of any county authority that so long as the bonds are outstanding and unpaid the state will not limit or alter the rights and powers of any county authority under this act to conduct the activities referred to herein in any way pertinent to the interests of the bondholders, including, without limitation, such county authority's right to charge and collect rates, fees, assessments and charges and to fulfill the terms of any covenants made with the registered owners of the bonds, or in any other way impair the rights and remedies of the registered owners of the bonds, unless provision for full payment of such bonds, by escrow or otherwise, has been made pursuant to the terms of the bonds or the resolution, trust indenture or security interest securing the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-422 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-422
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-422
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(5) The executive director of the department shall provide technical, clerical and other support services, including service by contract, as the council requires in the performance of its functions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 8-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-17
Status: in_force

Counties and municipalities may enact ordinances regulating or prohibiting the possession of wild animals if the ordinances are more stringent than this chapter or the regulations promulgated by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-33-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / 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 33 / 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. § 49-25-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 25-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-15
Status: in_force

Any junkyard lawfully in existence on June 16, 1966 which does not conform to the exceptions contained in Section 49-25-7 , or that cannot be made to so conform by screening as provided in this chapter, shall be required to be removed under Section 49-25-13 by July 1, 1970, or as soon thereafter as funds are available for that purpose. Any junkyard located along any highway made a part of the interstate or primary system after June 16, 1966, shall be considered to have been lawfully established for the purposes of this chapter; and in the event any such junkyard does not conform to the exceptions in Section 49-25-7 , or cannot be made to so conform by screening as provided in this chapter, it shall be required to be removed under Section 49-25-13 by the end of the fourth year after it shall be determined that it is nonconforming or as soon thereafter as funds are available for that purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / 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. § 49-15-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-81
Status: in_force

(1) The term “ saltwater minnow ” as used in this section shall mean any species within the families Cyprinodontidae, Fundulidae or Poeciliidae.

(2) Before beginning operations to catch or transport saltwater minnows for sale, fishermen must obtain a saltwater live bait license and pay a fee according to the following schedule: A resident shall pay a fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), a nonresident shall pay a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100. 00) or if the nonresident's domicile state charges more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for residents of Mississippi to engage in a like activity, then that applicant shall pay the same fee or fees that the applicant's domicile state charges residents of Mississippi.

(3) All minnow traps placed in or on the marine waters of the State of Mississippi shall have a corrosion resistant metal or plastic tag attached to the trap to permanently mark the minnow traps for ownership. The tag used to mark the traps shall be legibly and permanently stamped with letters containing the applicable licensed minnow fishermen's full name. The minimum height of the letters shall be at least three-sixteenths ( 3 / 16 ) of an inch. The tags shall be supplied by the minnow fisherman.

(4) Licensed live bait catcher boats and licensed live bait dealers involved in the transporting of minnows are exempt from the commercial minnow licensing requirement in subsection (2) of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-175 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-175
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-175
Status: in_force

The state forester of Mississippi shall act as “compact administrator” for the State of Mississippi and represent Mississippi in the Southeastern Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact. The “advisory committee” shall be composed of four (4) members as follows: (1) One member of the senate, (2) one member of the house of representatives, each of whom shall be appointed by the Mississippi Commission on Interstate Cooperation, (3) the state forester or his successor, or a comparable official, in the event of amendment to the present law, who shall be appointed by the governor and shall serve as chairman of the advisory committee, and (4) one member shall be associated with forestry or forest products industries, to be appointed by the governor; each member shall serve for a term of four (4) years and be eligible to immediately succeed himself. Advisory committee members shall be reimbursed for all necessary travel expenses incurred while attending compact meetings provided the total expenditure of the four members does not exceed One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00) per year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-31 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 35-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-31
Status: in_force

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Incentives Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-531 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-531
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-531
Status: in_force

The commission may establish requirements for reciprocity for accreditation and certification of risk assessors, project designers, supervisors, renovators, dust sampling technicans 1 , inspectors and workers with other states that have established accreditation and certification programs that meet or exceed the requirements established by the commission for accreditation and certification in this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-61 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-61
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(2) The department shall require any party permitted to conduct dredging activities of over two thousand five hundred (2,500) cubic yards to participate in the department programs involving beneficial use of dredge materials, provided the material is suitable and a beneficial use site is available. If approved by the executive director, or his designee, a party may deposit acceptable dredge materials in a designated location for a fee not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the fair market cost to transport and dispose of the material in an approved upland site. The department shall consider in-kind services for offsetting depositional charges.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-33 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-33
Status: in_force

The United States Commissioner of Fisheries and his duly authorized agents are hereby accorded the right to carry on fish-cultural activities and all operations connected therewith in any manner and at such times as may by such commissioner, or his agents, be considered necessary and proper.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 28-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-39
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of any district created under this chapter shall have the authority to enter into cooperative agreements with the state or federal government, or both, to obtain financial assistance in the form of loans or grants as may be available from the state or federal government, or both. The board of commissioners may execute and deliver at private sale notes or bonds as evidence of the indebtedness in the form and subject to the terms and conditions as may be imposed by the state or federal government, or both. The board of commissioners may pledge the income and revenues of the district, or the income and revenues from any part of the area embraced in the district, in payment thereof. The district may do all things necessary to secure the financial aid or cooperation of the state or federal government, or both, in the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance or improvement of projects of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-435 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-435
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-435
Status: in_force

Before November 15 of each year, the department shall report to the appropriate environmental committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on the status of the Underground Storage Tank Program and the Groundwater Protection Trust Fund. The report shall include at a minimum any recommendations for improvement of the program and for ensuring the soundness of the fund and, to the extent practicable, an assessment of any changes in the retail price of motor fuels caused by the environmental protection fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 49-15-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-81
Status: in_force

(1) The term “ saltwater minnow ” as used in this section shall mean any species within the families Cyprinodontidae, Fundulidae or Poeciliidae.

(2) Before beginning operations to catch or transport saltwater minnows for sale, fishermen must obtain a saltwater live bait license and pay a fee according to the following schedule: A resident shall pay a fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), a nonresident shall pay a fee of One Hundred Dollars ($100. 00) or if the nonresident's domicile state charges more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for residents of Mississippi to engage in a like activity, then that applicant shall pay the same fee or fees that the applicant's domicile state charges residents of Mississippi.

(3) All minnow traps placed in or on the marine waters of the State of Mississippi shall have a corrosion resistant metal or plastic tag attached to the trap to permanently mark the minnow traps for ownership. The tag used to mark the traps shall be legibly and permanently stamped with letters containing the applicable licensed minnow fishermen's full name. The minimum height of the letters shall be at least three-sixteenths ( 3 / 16 ) of an inch. The tags shall be supplied by the minnow fisherman.

(4) Licensed live bait catcher boats and licensed live bait dealers involved in the transporting of minnows are exempt from the commercial minnow licensing requirement in subsection (2) of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 25-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-21
Status: in_force

The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to enter into agreements with the United States Secretary of Commerce as provided by Title 23, United States Code, relating to the control of junkyards in areas adjacent to the interstate and primary systems, and to take action in the name of the state to comply with the terms of such agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 37-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-5
Status: in_force

For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Scientific information ” means information associated with the monitoring and management of the environment and natural resources of a specifically targeted geographic area that is collected, analyzed, managed, updated by and used among agencies, departments, associations and other organizations concerned with or responsible for the geographic area.

(b) “ Scientific information management system ” means a management system which would allow scientific information to be collected, processed, analyzed, managed, updated and subsequently accessed by users of that information.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-86 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-86
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-86
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(a) To make loans on the condition that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The board may, on a case-by-case basis, renegotiate the payment of principal and interest on loans made under this section to the six (6) most southern counties of the state covered by the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005, and to political subdivisions located in such counties; however, the interest on the loans shall not be forgiven for a period of more than twenty-four (24) months and the maturity of the loans shall not be extended for a period of more than forty-eight (48) months.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-7-161 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-161
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-161
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(c) “ Stamp ” means the state migratory waterfowl stamp or the electronic equivalent furnished by the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 35-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-1
Status: in_force

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup and Redevelopment Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-315 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-315
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-315
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in commercial harvesting of crabs, oysters, shrimp, bait shrimp or saltwater fish in the marine waters north of the CSX bridge in the three (3) coastal counties, except for the following:

(a) A person may take any euryhaline species of minnow; and

(b) A licensed commercial oyster fisherman may harvest oysters from reefs approved by the commission.

(2) The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory shall study all estuaries and bays deemed to be nurseries. The Gulf Coast Research Laboratory may recommend the establishment of nursery grounds in the estuaries and bays if necessary to protect the state's fishing resources.

(3) The department shall set the limits on all catches for noncommercial use.

(4) A person, firm or corporation found guilty of violating this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined as provided in Section 49-15-100(2) , or imprisoned not more than three (3) months or both; and in addition, the commission shall seize and confiscate all commercial nets, trawls, traps, tongs and boats used for such purpose and dispose of it at public sale and shall deposit the proceeds to the credit of the Seafood Fund. 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. § 49-17-28 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-28
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-28
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) In implementing the authority granted under this section for the Permit Board to act on water quality certifications required by Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, the Permit Board shall authorize the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to make decisions on issuance, reissuance, denial, modification and revocation of water quality certifications on projects which the department has received no written adverse comments. The Permit Board may authorize the executive director to make decisions on water quality certifications for other projects. A decision of the executive director made under this authority shall be a decision of the Permit Board and shall be subject to a formal hearing and an appeal as provided in Section 49-17-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 28-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-19
Status: in_force

(1) Any district created under this chapter, acting by and through the board of commissioners of the district as its governing authority, shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To sue and be sued;

(b) To adopt an official seal with which to attest the official acts and records of the board and district;

(c) To acquire by purchase, gift, devise and lease or any other mode of acquisition, other than by eminent domain, hold and dispose of real and personal property of every kind inside or outside the district;

(d) To make and enter into contracts, conveyances, mortgages, deeds of trust, bonds, leases or contracts for financial advisory services;

(e) To incur debts, to borrow money, to issue negotiable special improvement bonds, and to provide for the rights of the holders of those bonds;

(f) To fix, maintain, collect and revise charges and assessments for services rendered by or through the district;

(g) To pledge all or any part of the revenues of the district to the payment of its obligations;

(h) To make any covenants in connection with the issuance of bonds or to secure the payment of bonds that a private business corporation can make under the general laws of the state;

(i) To use any right-of-way, public right-of-way, easement, or other similar property or property rights held by the state or any political subdivision of the state necessary or convenient in connection with any project conducted by the district; however, the governing body of the political subdivision must first consent to the use;

(j) To enter into agreements with state and federal agencies for loans, grants, grants-in-aid, and other forms of assistance including, but not limited to, participation in the sale and purchase of bonds;

(k) To be deemed to have the same status as counties and municipalities with respect to payment of sales taxes on purchases made by the district;

(l) To do all acts necessary, proper or convenient in the exercise of the powers granted under this chapter;

(m) To contract with the United States of America, or any agency of the United States of America, the State of Mississippi, or any political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, or any agency, commission, authority, board or other entity thereof, or any municipality or municipalities, for any purpose under this chapter; and

(n) To contract with any person, partnership, corporation or other entity for the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance or improvement of any project of the district, upon any terms, conditions and covenants as may be agreed upon by the contracting parties.

(2) Any district created under this chapter shall be vested with all the powers necessary and requisite for the accomplishment of the purpose for which the district is created. No enumeration of powers in this section shall be construed to impair or limit any general grant of power contained in this section nor to limit any grant to a power or powers of the same class or classes as those enumerated.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-17-761 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-17-729 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-729
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-729
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public, including the power and right to regulate and control solid waste within its jurisdictional boundaries.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 11-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-25
Status: in_force

Each operator shall maintain a registration book listing the names and hunting license numbers of all hunters and the date on which they hunted. An accurate record must be maintained of the total number, by species, of game released and harvested each day the preserve or enclosure is hunted. The operator shall submit this information in an annual report of operations each year to the department not later than June 1 following. These records shall be open to inspection by the department at any reasonable time. Any person, partnership, association or corporation licensed hereunder consents to the patrolling of the shooting preserve or commercial wildlife enclosure areas by the department, without warrant, to determine if any of the game laws or regulations are being violated.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 28-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-11
Status: in_force

If the creation of the district is initiated by petition, the board of supervisors may bear the costs of meeting the requirements of this chapter or may require the parties filing the petition to bear the costs. The board of supervisors may require the execution of a cost bond by the parties filing the petition. The bond shall be in an amount and with good sureties to guarantee the payment of any costs.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-409
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-409
Status: in_force

The department shall have jurisdiction over all persons and property necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of this article and the authorities outlined in Section 49-15-401 . The department may adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-76 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-76
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-76
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(4) A person who violates this section shall be punished as provided in Section 49-15-63 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-209 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-209
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-209
Status: in_force

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

The state forester is authorized to purchase equipment, supplies and materials and to maintain and transport equipment as is needed to implement the provisions of Sections 49-19-201 through 49-19-227 , and to defray the expenses of such purchase and transportation from any funds appropriated for such purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-49 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 28-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-49
Status: in_force

If any provisions of this chapter shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this chapter shall not be affected thereby.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 25-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-19
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate or affect the provisions of any lawful ordinance, regulation or resolution, which are more restrictive than the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 23-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices in areas adjacent to state controlled routes should be controlled in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty. Any advertising device subject to Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 , and found to be in violation thereof, is subject to removal under the state's police power where not contrary to provisions provided herein. It is the intention of the Legislature in such sections to provide a statutory basis for regulation of outdoor advertising consistent with the public policy declared by Congress in areas adjacent to state controlled routes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-173 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 49-11-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 11-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-7
Status: in_force

Each license issued by the department shall designate whether or not the preserve or commercial wildlife enclosure is open to the public on a commercial basis, or is restricted to a membership or other limited group. In the latter case, the license shall specify that the area is a restricted shooting preserve or commercial wildlife enclosure. The department shall maintain accurate listings of the names and addresses of the licensees and the location of the property. These lists shall be made available in their entirety to anyone requesting a copy, and shall specify whether the preserves or enclosures are public or private.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-773 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-773
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-773
Status: in_force

For the purposes of satisfying any temporary cash flow demands and deficiencies, and to maintain a working balance for the county authority, the county, municipalities or public agencies within the geographic boundaries of the county authority, or other persons, subject to their lawful authority to do so, are authorized to advance, at any time, such funds which, in its discretion, are necessary, or borrow such funds by issuance of notes, for initial capital contribution and to cover start-up costs until such times as sufficient bonds, assets and revenues have been secured to satisfy the needs of the county authority for its management, operation and formation. To this end, the county, municipality, public agency or person, subject to their lawful authority to do so, shall advance such funds, or borrow such funds by issuance of notes, under such terms and conditions as may be provided by resolution of the governing body, or other persons as defined in this act, subject to their lawful authority to do so, except that each such resolution shall state:

(a) The need for the proceeds advanced or borrowed;

(b) The amount to be advanced or the amount to be borrowed;

(c) The maximum principal amount of any note issued the interest rate or maximum interest rate to be incurred, and the maturity date of said note;

(d) In addition, the governing body, or other persons as defined in this act, subject to their lawful authority to do so, may arrange for lines of credit with any bank, firm or person for the purpose of providing an additional source of repayment for notes issued pursuant to this section. Amounts drawn on a line of credit may be evidenced by negotiable or nonnegotiable notes or other evidences of indebtedness and contain such terms and conditions as the governing body, or other persons as defined in this act, subject to their lawful authority to do so, may authorize in the resolution approving the same;

(e) The governing body of the county, municipalities or other persons as defined in this act, subject to their lawful authority to do so, may authorize the repayment of such advances, notes, lines of credit and other debt incurred under this section, along with all costs associated with the same, including, but not limited to, rating agency fees, printing costs, legal fees, bank or trust company fees, line of credit fees and other charges to be reimbursed by the county authority under such terms and conditions as are reasonable and are to be provided for by resolution of the governing body, or terms agreed upon with other persons as defined in this act, subject to their lawful authority to do so;

(f) In addition, the governing body of the county, municipality or public agency may lease or donate office space and equipment to the county authority under such terms and conditions as are reasonable and are to be provided for by resolution of the governing body, or terms agreed upon by the county authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-19
Status: in_force

In order to carry out the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , the commission may set ambient standards of air and water quality for the state or portions thereof. Such ambient standards of quality shall be such as to protect the public health and welfare and the present and prospective future use of such air and of such waters for public water supplies, propagation of fish and aquatic life and wildlife, recreational purposes, and agricultural, industrial and other legitimate uses. Such ambient standards may be amended from time to time as determined to be necessary by the commission. In order to carry out the purposes of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 , the commission may also set emission standards for the purpose of controlling air contamination, air pollution and the sources thereof. In establishing ambient air quality standards for odor, the commission shall adopt recognized objective standards if they exist. In the absence of a recognized objective ambient air quality standard for odor, the commission may adopt such subjective standards as may be appropriate.

In establishing such standards relating to pesticides and commercial fertilizers for underground water, the commission shall adopt federal standards if they exist. If no federal standard exists, the commission shall petition the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to establish a federal standard for the substance of interest. If the commission determines that a federal standard cannot be obtained within thirty (30) days, it shall consult with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Drinking Water and Office of Pesticide Programs regarding the agency's conclusion relative to available toxicological information on the substance of interest and on the methodology used for establishing a federal standard. The commission shall utilize this information and methodology to establish a standard. The commission may also consult with and request similar information from other sources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 23-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-25
Status: in_force

In order to provide information in the specific interest of the traveling public, the State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to maintain maps and to permit informational directories and advertising pamphlets to be made available at safety rest areas, and to establish information centers at safety rest areas for the purpose of informing the public of places of interest within the state and providing such other information as may be considered desirable.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-527 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 49-19-111 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 19-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-111
Status: in_force

For the purpose of providing assistance to all farm woodland and timber landowners in the state, including private ownership, and to promote the growing, managing and harvesting of timber thereon, and to provide organized forest fire protection in all counties, and to encourage the production and growth of timber on all lands suitable therefor, and for the better management thereof, and to encourage greater private ownership and promote forest education and timber management and forest fire control, the State Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to carry out the provisions of Sections 49-19-111 through 49-19-117 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 8-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds and declares that it is in the public interest to ensure the public health, safety and welfare by strictly regulating the importation, sale, transfer and possession of those wild animals inherently dangerous to humans. In addition, the Legislature finds that these wild animals may pose a threat of introducing disease that is harmful to humans and Mississippi's wildlife. The Legislature further finds and declares that wildlife inherently dangerous to humans may be possessed only as provided in this chapter. The importation, sale, transfer and possession of these wild animals are privileges that are not to be granted unless it can be clearly demonstrated that the privileges can be exercised in a manner that does not pose unnecessary risk to the citizens of this state and indigenous wildlife.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 26-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-7
Status: in_force

The department shall identify federal funding mechanisms which could be used to fund projects regarding channel maintenance. The department shall coordinate with local governments and other interest groups to maximize the eligibility of projects for funding and to assist in the preparation of appropriate financial assistance documentation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 25-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-25-15
Status: in_force

Any junkyard lawfully in existence on June 16, 1966 which does not conform to the exceptions contained in Section 49-25-7 , or that cannot be made to so conform by screening as provided in this chapter, shall be required to be removed under Section 49-25-13 by July 1, 1970, or as soon thereafter as funds are available for that purpose. Any junkyard located along any highway made a part of the interstate or primary system after June 16, 1966, shall be considered to have been lawfully established for the purposes of this chapter; and in the event any such junkyard does not conform to the exceptions in Section 49-25-7 , or cannot be made to so conform by screening as provided in this chapter, it shall be required to be removed under Section 49-25-13 by the end of the fourth year after it shall be determined that it is nonconforming or as soon thereafter as funds are available for that purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-351 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-15-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-42
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42
Status: in_force

(1) All oysters caught in Mississippi territorial waters shall be tagged and unloaded in Mississippi. Before tagging and unloading, the oysters must be sacked or packaged in containers or by other methods approved by the department. However, a person is exempt from the unloading requirement if he is transporting the oysters to a state that has a reciprocity agreement with Mississippi exempting Mississippi residents from the unloading requirements of that state.

(2) The driver of any vehicle used in the transporting of oysters in the shell from outside the territorial limits of the State of Mississippi, whether the vehicle is a boat or motor vehicle, shall possess an invoice, statement or other bill of lading which bears the name of the person, firm or corporation from whom the oysters were purchased, the name of the purchaser and the number of barrels or bushels of oysters which the vehicle or vessel contains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-111 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-111
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-111
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(e) Upon good cause shown, and where necessary to alleviate damage to property or to protect human health, endangered species may be removed, captured or destroyed but only pursuant to permit issued by the commission and, where possible, by or under the supervision of an agent of the commission; provided, that endangered species may be removed, captured or destroyed without permit by any person in emergency situations involving an immediate threat to human life. Provisions for removal, capture or destruction of nongame wildlife for the purposes set forth above shall be set forth in regulations issued by the commission pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 49-5-107 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-96 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-96
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-96
Status: in_force

(1)(a) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may establish deer management zones within the state.

(b) The commission may establish antler restrictions within the zones for the proper management of antlered deer.

(2) The antler restrictions in Sections 49-7-31 and 49-7-41 shall not apply to those zones with antler restrictions established by the commission.

(3) If the commission establishes deer management zones or establishes antler restrictions, the department shall study and analyze all relevant data and shall file annual progress reports with the Legislature. The department shall file a final report on the effectiveness of the program with recommendations on the continuation of such restrictions.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-303 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 19-303
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-303
Status: in_force

(1) The application of prescribed burning is a landowner property right and a land management tool that benefits the safety of the public, the environment and the economy of Mississippi. Pursuant thereto, the Legislature finds that:

(a) Prescribed burning reduces naturally occurring vegetative fuels within wild land areas. Reduction of the fuel load reduces the risk and severity of major catastrophic wildfire, thereby reducing the threat of loss of life and property, particularly in urbanizing areas.

(b) Most of Mississippi's natural communities require periodic fire for maintenance of their ecological integrity. Prescribed burning is essential to the perpetuation, restoration and management of many plant and animal communities. Significant loss of the state's biological diversity will occur if fire is excluded from fire-dependent systems.

(c) Forest lands constitute significant economic, biological and aesthetic resources of statewide importance. Prescribed burning on forest land prepares sites for reforestation, removes undesirable competing vegetation, expedites nutrient cycling and controls or eliminates certain forest pathogens.

(d) The state manages hundreds of thousands of acres of land for parks, wildlife management areas, forests and other public purposes. The use of prescribed burning for management of public lands is essential to maintain the specific resource values for which these lands were acquired.

(e) Proper training in the use of prescribed burning is necessary to ensure maximum benefits and protection for the public.

(f) As Mississippi's population continues to grow, pressures from liability issues and nuisance complaints inhibit the use of prescribed burning.

(2) It is the purpose of Sections 49-19-301 through 49-19-307 to authorize and promote the continued use of prescribed burning for ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 35-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-25
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(11) Nothing in this section affects any existing program at the department or affects any authority of the commission or department to take any action authorized by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 49-19-305 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 19-305
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-305
Status: in_force

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

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

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

(c) “Prescription” means a written plan for starting and controlling a prescribed burn to accomplish the ecological, silvicultural and wildlife management objectives.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-771 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 17-771
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-771
Status: in_force

The state hereby covenants with the registered owners of any bonds of any county authority that so long as the bonds are outstanding and unpaid the state will not limit or alter the rights and powers of any county authority under this act to conduct the activities referred to herein in any way pertinent to the interests of the bondholders, including, without limitation, such county authority's right to charge and collect rates, fees, assessments and charges and to fulfill the terms of any covenants made with the registered owners of the bonds, or in any other way impair the rights and remedies of the registered owners of the bonds, unless provision for full payment of such bonds, by escrow or otherwise, has been made pursuant to the terms of the bonds or the resolution, trust indenture or security interest securing the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-45 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-45
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person:

(a)(i) To hunt, chase, kill or to pursue with the intent to take, kill or wound any wild animal or wild bird in violation of this chapter;

(ii) To hunt, take, kill or wound any game animal or game bird with a gun larger than 10 gauge;

(iii) To hunt, take, wound or shoot at any game bird:

(A) From any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached unless the motor has been completely shut off and its progress has ceased. A craft under power may be used to retrieve dead or crippled birds; however, crippled birds may not be shot from a craft under power; or

(B) From any sinkbox or battery except in waters of the Gulf Coast.

(b) To wound, drown, shoot, capture, take or otherwise kill any deer from a boat.

(c) To lend or transfer or borrow or to use or display while hunting, trapping or fishing, a license or tag of another.

(d) To aid in the securing of a license for or to knowingly issue a license for any person not legally entitled to same.

(e) To hunt, trap or fish in this state after the right to do so has been denied by the commission or the license therefor has been revoked.

(f) To hunt or trap any birds, game or wild animals during the closed season.

(g) Any person violating paragraphs (b), or (f) is guilty of a Class II offense and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-143 .

(2) Any citation issued to a boat operator for not registering or possessing the boat's registration card shall be dismissed, along with all related court costs if the boat operator can verify that the boat was properly registered prior to the date of violation. A boat operator may submit a copy of his or her boat's proper registration card, certified by the clerk or magistrate of the court holding the trial or hearing, along with all related court costs, to the court or magistrate before the date of the trial or hearing and the citation shall be dismissed under this subsection without the boat operator or the boat operator's counsel being present.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-21
Status: in_force

All moneys received from the United States government for protection of forest lands, for reforestation of denuded areas, for extension of national forests, and to promote the continuous production of timber shall be credited to said state forestry fund, and expended by the commission as is directed by the federal government.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-99 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-99
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-99
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to existing rights, lands managed by the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall be open to access and use for recreational hunting except as limited by the commission for reasons of public safety, homeland security, or as otherwise limited by law.

(2) The commission shall exercise its authority to manage lands in a manner to support, promote and enhance recreational hunting opportunities to the extent authorized by law.

(3) The commission is not required to give preference to hunting over other uses or priorities established by state law.

(4) To the greatest practicable extent, commission land management decisions and actions may not result in any net loss of any acreage available for hunting opportunities that exists on July 1, 2006.

(5) Before January 1 of each year, the commission shall submit to the chairmen of the respective wildlife committees in each house a written report containing:

(a) The acreage managed by the commission that has been closed to recreational hunting during the previous year and the reasons for the closures; and

(b) The acreage managed by the commission that was opened to recreational hunting to compensate for the acreage that was closed during the previous year.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 23-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-1
Status: in_force

The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the erection and maintenance of outdoor advertising signs, displays and devices in areas adjacent to state controlled routes should be controlled in order to protect the public investment in such highways, to promote the safety and recreational value of public travel, and to preserve natural beauty. Any advertising device subject to Sections 49-23-1 through 49-23-29 , and found to be in violation thereof, is subject to removal under the state's police power where not contrary to provisions provided herein. It is the intention of the Legislature in such sections to provide a statutory basis for regulation of outdoor advertising consistent with the public policy declared by Congress in areas adjacent to state controlled routes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-523 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-523
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-523
Status: in_force

The commission may deny the issuance or reissuance of any certificate required under Sections 49-17-511 through 49-17-521 if: (a) there has been a failure to comply with the application procedures established by regulations promulgated by the commission; (b) if the applicant fails to satisfy the application criteria established by Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 and by regulations promulgated by the commission; or (c) if the applicant fails to pay the applicable fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / 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. § 49-17-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-29
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as in compliance with paragraph (b) of this subsection, it is unlawful for any person to cause pollution of the air in the state or to place or cause to be placed any wastes or other products or substances in a location where they are likely to cause pollution of the air. It is also unlawful to discharge any wastes, products or substances into the air of the state which exceed standards of performance, hazardous air pollutant standards, other emission standards set by the commission, or which reduce the quality of the air below the air quality standards or increments established by the commission or prevent attainment or maintenance of those air quality standards. Any such action is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to build, erect, alter, replace, use or operate any equipment which will cause the issuance of air contaminants unless that person holds a permit from the Permit Board (except repairs or maintenance of equipment for which a permit has been previously issued), or unless that person is exempted from holding a permit by a regulation promulgated by the commission. Concentrated animal feeding operations may be a source or a category of sources exempted under this paragraph. However, no new or existing applications relating to swine concentrated animal feeding operations within a county shall be exempted from regulations and ordinances which have been duly passed by the county's board of supervisors and which are in force on June 1, 1998.

(2)(a) Except as in compliance with paragraph (b) of this subsection, it is unlawful for any person to cause pollution of any waters of the state or to place or cause to be placed any wastes in a location where they are likely to cause pollution of any waters of the state. It is also unlawful to discharge any wastes into any waters of the state which reduce the quality of those waters below the water quality standards established by the commission; or to violate any applicable pretreatment standards or limitations, technology-based effluent limitations, toxic standards or any other limitations established by the commission. Any such action is declared to be a public nuisance.

(b) It is unlawful for any person to carry on any of the following activities, unless that person holds a current permit for that activity from the Permit Board as may be required for the disposal of all wastes which are or may be discharged into the waters of the state, or unless that person is exempted from holding a permit by a regulation promulgated by the commission: (i) the construction, installation, modification or operation of any disposal system or part thereof or any extension or addition thereto, including, but not limited to, systems serving agricultural operations; (ii) the increase in volume or strength of any wastes in excess of the permissive discharges specified under any existing permit; (iii) the construction, installation or operation of any industrial, commercial or other establishment, including irrigation projects or any extension or modification thereof or addition thereto, the operation of which would cause an increase in the discharge of wastes into the waters of the state or would otherwise alter the physical, chemical or biological properties of any waters of the state in any manner not already lawfully authorized; (iv) the construction or use of any new outlet for the discharge of any wastes into the waters of the state. However, no new or existing applications relating to swine concentrated animal feeding operations within a county shall be exempted from regulations and ordinances which have been duly passed by the county's board of supervisors and which are in force on June 1, 1998.

(3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Permit Board created by Section 49-17-28 shall be the exclusive administrative body to make decisions on permit issuance, reissuance, denial, modification or revocation of air pollution control and water pollution control permits and permits required under the Solid Wastes Disposal Law of 1974 (Title 17, Chapter 17), and all other permits within the jurisdiction of the Permit Board. After consideration of alternative waste treatment technologies available to control air and water pollution and odor, including appropriate siting criteria, the commission may promulgate regulations establishing conditions, limitations and exemptions under which the Permit Board shall make these decisions. Regulations promulgated by the commission which establish exemptions as authorized under this section shall apply to any applicable facility in operation on the effective date of that regulation and to any applicable facility constructed or operated after the effective date of that regulation. The Permit Board may issue multiple permits for the same facility or operation simultaneously or in the sequence that it deems appropriate consistent with the commission's regulations. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the Permit Board, under any conditions that the board may prescribe, may authorize the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality to make decisions on permit issuance, reissuance, denial, modification or revocation. The executive director shall not be authorized to make decisions on permit issuance, reissuance, denial, modification or revocation for a commercial hazardous waste management facility or a solid waste management permit for a municipal solid waste landfill or incinerator. A decision by the executive director shall be a decision of the Permit Board and shall be subject to formal hearing and appeal as provided in this section. The executive director shall report all permit decisions to the Permit Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting and those decisions shall be recorded in the minutes of the Permit Board. The decisions of the Permit Board shall be recorded in minutes of the Permit Board and shall be kept separate and apart from the minutes of the commission. The decision of the Permit Board or the executive director to issue, reissue, deny, modify or revoke permits shall not be construed to be an order or other action of the commission.

(b) The Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall also be the Executive Director of the Permit Board and shall have available to him, as Executive Director of the Permit Board, all resources and personnel otherwise available to him as executive director of the department.

(c) All persons required to obtain an air pollution control or water pollution control permit, a permit under the Solid Wastes Disposal Law of 1974 (Title 17, Chapter 17) or any other permit within the jurisdiction of the Permit Board shall make application for that permit with the Permit Board. The Permit Board, under any regulations as the commission may prescribe, may require the submission of those plans, specifications and other information as it deems necessary to carry out Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 and Title 17, Chapter 17, or to carry out the commission's regulations adopted under those sections. The Permit Board, based upon any information as it deems relevant, shall issue, reissue, deny, modify or revoke air pollution control or water pollution control permit or permits required under the Solid Wastes Disposal Law of 1974 (Title 17, Chapter 17) or any other permit within the jurisdiction of the Permit Board under any conditions as it deems necessary that are consistent with the commission's regulations. The Permit Board's action of issuance, reissuance, denial, modification or revocation of a permit as recorded in its minutes shall constitute a complete decision of the board. All permits issued by the Permit Board shall remain in full force and effect until the board makes a final determination regarding any reissuance, modification, or revocation thereof. The Permit Board shall take action upon an application within one hundred eighty (180) days following its receipt in the board's principal office. No action which affects revocation of an existing permit shall take effect until the thirty (30) days mentioned in paragraph (4)(b) of this section has expired or until a formal hearing as prescribed in that paragraph is held, whichever is later.

(d) The Permit Board may adopt rules of practice and procedure governing its proceedings that are consistent with the commission's regulations. All hearings in connection with permits issued, reissued, denied, modified or revoked and all appeals from decisions of the Permit Board shall be as provided in this section.

(e) Upon any conditions that are consistent with the commission's regulations and subject to those procedures for public notice and hearings as provided by law, not inconsistent with federal law and regulations, the Permit Board may issue general permits and, where appropriate, may consolidate multiple permits for the same facility or operation into a single permit.

(f) The Permit Board shall not issue any permit for a new swine concentrated animal feeding operation or the expansion of an existing swine concentrated animal feeding operation before January 1, 2000, unless the department received the application for that operation's new or modified permit before February 28, 1998, or except as provided in this paragraph (f). In issuing or modifying any permit for which the department received an application before February 28, 1998, the Permit Board shall apply those siting criteria adopted or used by the commission before February 28, 1998, unless federal law or regulations require more stringent criteria. The moratorium established in this paragraph shall not apply to the issuance of any permit for a new swine concentrated animal feeding operation or the expansion of an existing swine concentrated animal feeding operation that uses an animal waste management system which the applicant demonstrates to the Permit Board is innovative in significantly reducing the effects of the operation on the public health, welfare or the environment and which is approved by the Permit Board. The Permit Board shall not issue or modify more than five (5) permits under this innovative animal waste management system technology exemption to the moratorium.

(g) Each applicant for a permit for a new outlet for the discharge of wastes into the waters of the state who is required to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from the Public Service Commission for such wastewater system shall submit financial and managerial information as required by the Public Utilities Staff. Following review of that information, the Executive Director of the Public Utilities Staff shall certify in writing to the executive director of the department, the financial and managerial viability of the system if the Executive Director of the Public Utilities Staff determines the system is viable. The Permit Board shall not issue the permit until the certification is received.

(4)(a) Except as required by this section, before the issuance, reissuance, denial, modification or revocation of any air pollution control or water pollution control permit, permit required under the Solid Wastes Disposal Law of 1974 (Title 17, Chapter 17) or any other permit within its jurisdiction, the Permit Board, in its discretion, may hold a public hearing or meeting to obtain comments from the public on its proposed action. Before the issuance, reissuance, denial, modification pertaining to the expansion of a facility, transfer or revocation of a permit for a commercial hazardous waste management facility or a solid waste management permit for a commercial municipal solid waste landfill or incinerator, the Permit Board shall conduct a public hearing or meeting to obtain comments from the public on the proposed action. That hearing or meeting shall be informal in nature and conducted under those procedures as the Permit Board may deem appropriate consistent with the commission's regulations.

(b) Within thirty (30) days after the date the Permit Board takes action upon permit issuance, reissuance, denial, modification or revocation, as recorded in the minutes of the Permit Board, any interested party aggrieved by that action may file a written request for a formal hearing before the Permit Board. An interested party is any person claiming an interest relating to the property or project which is the subject of the permit action, and who is so situated that the person may be affected by the disposition of that action.

The Permit Board shall fix the time and place of the formal hearing and shall notify the permittee of that time and place.

In conducting the formal hearing, the Permit Board shall have the same full powers as to subpoenaing witnesses, administering oaths, examining witnesses under oath and conducting the hearing, as is now vested by law in the Mississippi Public Service Commission, as to the hearings before it, with the additional power that the Executive Director of the Permit Board may issue all subpoenas at the instance of the Permit Board or at the instance of any interested party. Any subpoenas shall be served by any lawful officer in any county to whom the subpoena is directed and return made thereon as provided by law, with the cost of service being paid by the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued. Witnesses summoned to appear at the hearing shall be entitled to the same per diem and mileage as witnesses attending the circuit court and shall be paid by the person on whose behalf the witness was called. Sufficient sureties for the cost of service of the subpoena and witness fees shall be filed with the Executive Director of the Permit Board at the time that issuance of the subpoena is requested. At a hearing, any interested party may present witnesses and submit evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

The Permit Board may designate a hearing officer to conduct the formal hearing on all or any part of the issues on behalf of the Permit Board. The hearing officer shall prepare the record of the formal hearing conducted by that officer for the Permit Board and shall submit the record to the Permit Board.

Upon conclusion of the formal hearing, the Permit Board shall enter in its minutes the board's decision affirming, modifying or reversing its prior decision to issue, reissue, deny, modify or revoke a permit. The Permit Board shall prepare and record in its minutes findings of fact and conclusions of law supporting its decision. That decision, as recorded in its minutes with its findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall be final unless an appeal, as provided in this section, is taken to chancery court within twenty (20) days following the date the decision is entered in the board's minutes.

(c) Within twenty (20) days after the date the Permit Board takes action upon permit issuance, reissuance, denial, modification or revocation after a formal hearing under this subsection as recorded in the minutes of the Permit Board, any person aggrieved of that action may appeal the action as provided in subsection (5) of this section.

(5)(a) Appeals from any decision or action of the Permit Board shall be only to chancery court as provided in this subsection.

(b) Any person who is aggrieved by any decision of the Permit Board issuing, reissuing, denying, revoking or modifying a permit after a formal hearing may appeal that decision within the period specified in subsection (4)(c) of this section to the chancery court of the county of the situs in whole or in part of the subject matter. The appellant shall give a cost bond with sufficient sureties, payable to the state in the sum of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), to be fixed by the Permit Board and to be filed with and approved by the Executive Director of the Permit Board, who shall forthwith certify the filing of the bond together with a certified copy of the record of the Permit Board in the matter to the chancery court to which the appeal is taken, which shall thereupon become the record of the cause. An appeal to the chancery court as provided in this section shall not stay the decision of the Permit Board. The aggrieved party may, within twenty (20) days following the date the board's decision after a formal hearing is entered on the board's minutes, petition the chancery court for an appeal with supersedeas and the chancellor shall grant a hearing on that petition. Upon good cause shown, the chancellor may grant that appeal with supersedeas. If granted, the appellant shall be required to post a bond with sufficient sureties according to law in an amount to be determined by the chancellor. Appeals shall be considered only upon the record as made before the Permit Board. The chancery court shall always be deemed open for hearing of an appeal and the chancellor may hear the same in termtime or in vacation at any place in the chancellor's district, and the appeal shall have precedence over all civil cases, except election contests. The chancery court shall review all questions of law and of fact. If no prejudicial error is found, the matter shall be affirmed. If prejudicial error is found the decision of the board shall be reversed and the chancery court shall remand the matter to the Permit Board for appropriate action as may be indicated or necessary under the circumstances. Appeals may be taken from the chancery court to the Supreme Court in the manner as now required by law, except that if a supersedeas is desired by the party appealing to the chancery court, that party may apply for a supersedeas to the chancellor of that court, who shall award a writ of supersedeas, without additional bond, if in the chancellor's judgment material damage is not likely to result thereby; but otherwise, the chancellor shall require a supersedeas bond as the chancellor deems proper, which shall be liable to the state for any damage.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 15-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-37
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The department shall regulate the amount and time of taking of oysters from seed areas and shall supervise the removal, planting and harvesting of oysters from the areas. The time set for the taking of oysters from restricted seed areas for relaying or replanting and the time set for the taking of oysters from private leased grounds shall be separated by not less than a period of time determined under Section 49-15-36 during which neither activity may be allowed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-115 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-115
Status: in_force

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

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

Total Acreage

Increase

Tax

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

3¢ per acre

5¢ per acre

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

2¢ per acre

7¢ per acre

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

2¢ per acre

9¢ per acre

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

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

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

(5) The provisions of this section and the tax levy required herein shall not be applicable to any counties which were not levying such forest acreage tax on January 1, 1989.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-65 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-65
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(6) The Department of Environmental Quality may, on a case-by-case basis, renegotiate the payment of principal on loans made under Sections 49-17-61 through 49-17-70 to political subdivisions located in the six (6) most southern counties of the state covered by the Presidential Declaration of Major Disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1604-DR) dated August 29, 2005; however, the maturity of the loans shall not be extended for a period of more than forty-eight (48) months.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-17-755 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-755
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-755
Status: in_force

(1) Sections 49-17-753 through 49-17-771 apply to all bonds to be issued after April 18, 2006, and such provisions shall not affect, limit or alter the rights and powers of any county authority under this act or any law of Mississippi to conduct the activities referred to herein in any way pertinent to the interests of the bondholders, including, without limitation, such county authority's right to charge and collect rates, fees and charges and to fulfill the terms of any covenants made with the registered owners of any existing bonds, or in any other way impair the rights and remedies of the registered owners of any existing bonds, unless provision for full payment of such bonds, by escrow or otherwise, has been made pursuant to the terms of the bonds or the resolution, trust indenture or security interest securing the bonds.

(2) The county authority shall have the power and is hereby authorized, from time to time, to borrow money and to issue revenue bonds and interim notes in such principal amounts as the county authority may determine to be necessary to provide sufficient funds for achieving one or more of the purposes of this act, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to defray all the costs of the project, the cost of the acquisition, construction, improvement, repair or extension of a system, or any part thereof, whether or not such facilities are owned by the county authority, the payment of interest on bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act, establishment of reserves to secure such bonds and payment of the interest thereon, expenses incident to the issuance of such bonds and to the implementation of the county authority's system, and all other expenditures of the county authority incident to or necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this act.

(3) Before issuing bonds, other than interim notes or refunding bonds as provided in Section 49-17-757 , the board of directors of the county authority shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to issue such bonds and stating the maximum principal amount of bonds proposed to be issued, a general generic description of the proposed improvements and the proposed location thereof and the date, time and place at which the board of directors proposes to take further action with respect to the issuance of such bonds. The resolution of the county authority shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper having a general circulation within the geographical limits of all of the public agencies which have contracted with the county authority pursuant to this act.

(4) Bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act shall be payable from and secured by a pledge of all or any part of the revenues under one or more contracts entered into pursuant to this act between the county authority and one or more of its contracting public agencies and from all or any part of the revenues derived from the operation of any designated system or any part or parts thereof and any other monies legally available and designated therefor, as may be determined by such county authority, subject only to any agreement with the purchasers of the bonds. Such bonds may be further secured by a trust indenture between such county authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having powers of a trust company without or within the state.

(5) Bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act shall be authorized by a resolution or resolutions adopted by a majority affirmative vote of the total membership of the board of directors of the county authority. Such bonds may be issued in series, and each series of such bonds shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates (not exceeding the maximum rate set out in Section 75-17-103, Mississippi Code of 1972 ), be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form, carry such conversion privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner and by such officers, be payable from such sources in such medium of payment at such place or places within or without the state, provided that one such place shall be within the state, and be subject to such terms of redemption prior to maturity, all as may be provided by resolution or resolutions of the board of directors. The term of such bonds issued pursuant to this act shall not exceed forty (40) years.

(6) Bonds of the county authority issued pursuant to this act may be sold at such price or prices, at public or private sale, in such manner and at such times as may be determined by such county authority to be in the public interest, and such county authority may pay all expenses, premiums, fees and commissions which it may deem necessary and advantageous in connection with the issuance and sale thereof.

(7) Any pledge of earnings, revenues or other monies made by the county authority shall be valid and binding from the time the pledge is made. The earnings, revenues or other monies so pledged and thereafter received by such county authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract or otherwise against such county authority irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be recorded.

(8) Neither the members of the board of directors nor any person executing the bonds shall be personally liable on the bonds or be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the issuance thereof.

(9) Proceeds from the sale of bonds of the county authority may be invested, pending their use, in such securities as may be specified in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds or the trust indenture securing them, and the earnings on such investments applied as provided in such resolution or trust indenture.

(10) Whenever any bonds shall have been signed by the officer(s) designated by the resolution of the board of directors to sign the bonds who were in office at the time of such signing but who may have ceased to be such officer(s) 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 manual or facsimile signatures of such officer(s) upon such bonds shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes and have the same effect as if the person so officially executing 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.

(11) The county authority has the discretion to advance or borrow funds needed to satisfy any short-term cash flow demands or deficiencies or to cover start-up costs until such time as sufficient bonds, assets and revenues have been secured to satisfy the needs of the county authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-69 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-69
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-69
Status: in_force

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

(2) The commission is hereby directed to promulgate and publish rules and regulations to implement the policy set forth in subsection (1) of this section. Such rules shall provide that persons exempted under subsection (1) of this section shall apply to the department for certification as to age or disability and shall be required to carry a certification card issued by the commission while engaged in taking above-mentioned marine life.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-405 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-405
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-405
Status: in_force

(1) If the alleged violator requests a formal hearing within thirty (30) days from the receipt of the finding and imposed fine, or within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the executive director's decision following the information settlement, the executive director shall designate a representative of the Attorney General's office to preside over the hearing and render a finding and recommendation as provided in this section.

(2) A duly qualified court reporter shall be in attendance and shall make a full and complete transcript of the proceedings. The hearing shall be closed unless the alleged violator requests a public hearing. The hearing officer shall have the right and duty to impose reasonable restrictions as he may deem necessary or appropriate to ensure orderly, expeditious and impartial proceedings, and shall admit all relevant and material evidence except evidence which is unduly repetitious. Hearsay shall be admissible to the extent permitted by the hearing officer.

(3) For purposes of such hearing, the hearing officer is hereby empowered to require the attendance of witnesses, administer oaths and hear testimony, either oral or documentary, for and against the alleged violator. The hearing officer shall have the authority to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, records or other documentary evidence at a hearing. Subpoenas to be issued shall be delivered to the sheriff of the county where they are to be executed and the sheriff shall serve them. In case of the failure of any person to comply with any subpoena issued by the hearing officer, the hearing officer may invoke the aid of any court of general jurisdiction of this state. The court may thereupon order such person to comply with the requirements of the subpoena. Failure to comply with the order of the court may be treated as contempt thereof.

(4) At the conclusion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall issue a written recommendation incorporating his findings of facts and conclusions of law regarding whether a violation has occurred and the appropriate penalty, if any, that he may assess not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per violation.

(5) The hearing officer's recommendation shall then be forwarded to the executive director who will make the final decision regarding whether a violation has occurred and the appropriate penalty, if any.

(6) The executive director's final decision shall be delivered to the alleged violator.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-219 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-219
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-219
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(e) To determine, before approving any cost-share assistance for any eligible owner that such approved practice is reasonable and is comparable to the actual cost of implementing such practice in the general area in which the land is located. Should the commission determine that the submitted cost of implementing the approved practice is not reasonable, the commission shall approve cost-share assistance in an amount which is determined by the commission to be reasonable for the implementation of the approved practice in the general area in which the land is located.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 18 / Section 35-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(l) “ Potentially responsible party ” means a person who is or may be liable for remediation under a remedial program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-41 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 27-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-41
Status: in_force

Such appeal shall be brought by a complaint in writing, stating fully the reasons therefor, signed by an authorized party, and shall be served at least twelve (12) days before the return date upon the commission and upon all parties having an interest adverse to the appellant as designated under subsection (a) of Section 49-27-39 . Such appeals shall be brought to the next return day of the court after the filing of such appeal or may be returned to a day set by fiat of the court. A cost bond must be posted with sufficient sureties payable to the state in the sum of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), to be fixed in the order appealed from and to be filed with and approved by the executive director of the commission, who shall forthwith certify the same, together with a certified copy of the transcription record of the proceedings in the matter to the chancery court to which the appeal is taken, which shall thereupon become the record of the cause. An appeal to the chancery court as provided herein shall not stay the execution of an order of the commission. Any party aggrieved by an order of the commission may petition the chancery court for an appeal with supersedeas and the chancellor shall grant a hearing on the petition, and upon good cause shown may grant the appeal with supersedeas in which case the appellant shall be required to post a bond with sufficient sureties according to law in an amount to be determined by the chancellor.