Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 35-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-27
Status: in_force

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

(2) Before January 1, 1999, the department shall conduct a survey of incentive programs in other states for cleanup of contaminated sites. Based on the survey, the department shall make recommendations regarding programs which it believes would be beneficial to encourage the cleanup of uncontrolled sites in this state. The department shall include the results of its survey and its recommendations in the report required under subsection (1) of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / 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. § 49-27-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 27-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-15
Status: in_force

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

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

(2) An applicant shall pay the publication fees and the costs of providing notice to the public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-54 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-54
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-54
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful to import and translocate live white-tailed deer into this state, except that university research facilities may import live white-tailed deer upon prior approval of the commission. The commission shall establish regulations governing the importation of white-tailed deer with emphasis on preventing the introduction of diseases.

(2) A person who violates this section is guilty of a Class I violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-74 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-74
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-74
Status: in_force

The commission shall establish open season for menhaden not later than the third Monday in April and ending no sooner than the second Tuesday in October.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 28-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-25
Status: in_force

In addition to the purposes authorized by Section 49-28-23 , any district created under this chapter may issue negotiable special improvement bonds of the district in the manner provided in Section 49-28-23 , for any of the following purposes:

(a) To refund the outstanding bonds of the district upon a finding by the board of commissioners that the refunding is in the public interest;

(b) To improve or extend the structures or facilities of the district or to conduct projects of the district; and

(c) 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 (reference to the state or federal government as used in this section shall specifically include any agency thereof).

The district may make any covenants and do any acts and things as may be necessary, convenient and desirable to secure the bonds or make the bonds more marketable, notwithstanding that the covenants, acts or things may not be enumerated in this chapter or expressly authorized in this chapter. The board of commissioners, in issuing the negotiable special improvement bonds, shall have the power to do all things required or necessary in the issuance of those bonds and for their execution which are not inconsistent with the Mississippi Constitution of 1890.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-401 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-401
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-401
Status: in_force

It is the purpose of this article to establish an administrative hearing procedure for the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources to enforce the rules and regulations set forth in Title 22 of the Administrative Code and Sections 49-15-1 through 49-15-321 , 49-27-1 through 49-27-71 , 59-21-111 , and such other statutes within the jurisdiction of the Department of Marine Resources. Unless specifically authorized, the department shall not seek both administrative and criminal penalties against violators of the statutes referred to herein for the same offense, except as provided in Section 49-15-63 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-717 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-717
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-717
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-42 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-19-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-9
Status: in_force

(1) The State Forestry Commission is hereby authorized to extend fire protection services to the Choctaw Indian lands located in Attala, Kemper, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Jones and Scott Counties, Mississippi.

(2) The State Forestry Commission is authorized to accept from the Choctaw Agency adequate compensation for fire detection and suppression, which sum may be used by the forestry commission in its fire protection work.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / 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. § 49-10-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 10-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-10-3
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person whose license, privilege, or right to hunt, fish, trap, possess, or transport wildlife, having been suspended or revoked pursuant to this article, to exercise that right or privilege within this state or to purchase or possess such a license which grants such right or privilege. Any person who hunts, fishes, traps, possesses, or transports wildlife in this state or who purchases or possesses a license to hunt, fish, trap, possess, or transport wildlife in this state in violation of such suspension or revocation pursuant to this compact shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or imprisonment for a period not exceeding twelve (12) months or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-307
Status: in_force

The department shall have the following powers and duties:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) To discharge any other duties, responsibilities and powers as are necessary to implement this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-96 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-96
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-96
Status: in_force

Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the exercise of the powers herein granted, but said sections shall not be deemed to repeal or to be in derogation of any existing law of this state whereunder projects of the character herein defined may be constructed or financed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 33 / Section 35-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds:

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

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

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

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

(e) This article will provide incentives for the voluntary cleanup of brownfield property without use of taxpayer funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 21-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-3
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to authorize the impairment of any constitutional right guaranteed to any person under the constitution of this state nor shall it be construed to authorize the legislature or any other authority to assume any power not possessed by it under the constitution of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-95 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-95
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-95
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, any person who hunts or takes or kills any deer at night by headlighting, by any lighting device, light amplifying device, “forward-looking infrared (FLIR)” or thermal imaging device, shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a Class I violation and shall be punished as provided in Section 49-7-141 .

(b) For any person to be charged with a violation of this subsection, that person must have been observed committing an overt act consistent with the hunting of deer at night with the aid of a light, lighting device, light amplifying device, “forward-looking infrared (FLIR)” or thermal imaging device. Such observation of an overt act may include, but shall not be limited to, witnessing the discharge of a weapon capable of killing a deer, hearing the report of a firearm being fired, seeing the person in possession of a recently killed deer which could not have been killed during legal hunting hours, or witnessing the person committing any acts consistent with headlighting deer in violation of this subsection.

(c) A person who hunts, takes or kills any animal during legal hunting hours, and subsequently searches for and/or recovers such mortally wounded animal with the aid of a light or lighting device, is not in violation of this section.

(2)(a) Violators of subsection (1), twenty-one (21) years old or older, upon conviction, shall also forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of not less than three (3) consecutive years from the date of conviction and shall attend such courses prescribed by the commission. A violator shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his privileges restored.

(b) A person twenty-one (21) years old, or older, convicted of a first violation of subsection (1) may petition the commission to have his privileges restored after one (1) year from the date of his conviction. The commission may prescribe conditions on the restoration of privileges for a first-time offender, and the first-time offender shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

(c) A violator of subsection (1) under the age of twenty-one (21), upon conviction, shall forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for one (1) year from the date of conviction, and shall attend courses prescribed by the commission. A violator under the age of twenty-one (21) may petition the commission to have his privileges restored after he has paid his penalty. The violator shall pay a reinstatement fee of Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00) to have his privileges restored.

(d) A person under the age of twenty-one (21) convicted of a second or subsequent violation of subsection (1) shall forfeit all hunting, trapping and fishing privileges for a period of not less than three (3) consecutive years from the date of conviction and shall attend courses prescribed by the commission. The person shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his privileges restored.

(e) A person who is appealing from a violation of subsection (1) shall have his hunting privileges suspended or revoked as provided in Section 49-7-27 .

(3) This section shall not apply to any deer killed in an accident with any motor vehicle.

(4) Anyone found guilty of violating this section who shoots or kills any livestock shall be punished as provided in Section 97-41-15 , in addition to the penalties provided in this section.

(5) It shall be unlawful for a person to shine a light from a public road or right-of-way, or on the property of another, at night, from one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour after sunset to one-half ( 1 / 2 ) hour before sunrise. This section shall not apply: (a) to the normal use of headlights of a vehicle traveling on a public road or right-of-way; (b) to law enforcement, emergency or utility personnel in the performance of their official duties; (c) to landowners, agricultural or hunting leaseholders or their designated agents with written authorization from the landowner or agricultural leaseholder, and upon lands owned or leased by the landowner, leaseholder or agent; (d) to persons lawfully hunting, fishing or trapping; or (e) a landowner, agricultural leaseholder or a designated agent in the act of searching for or retrieving escaped livestock or pets. Any person convicted under this provision shall be guilty of harassment of wildlife and shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than sixty (60) days nor more than six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

(6) It shall not be unlawful for any licensed or exempt hunter or tracker to track or pursue a deer that was lawfully shot and wounded during legal hunting hours, into the night after legal hunting hours, and to dispatch the deer if the deer is found and is still alive. A licensed or exempt hunter or tracker tracking or pursuing a wounded white-tailed deer into the nighttime hours may use reasonable means to assist the pursuit, including, but not limited to, lights and blood-trailing/tracking dogs. If tracking/blood-trailing dogs are used, no more than two (2) dogs may be used. If the animal being tracked is discovered to still be alive, but wounded, the hunter or tracker may dispatch the animal by using a handgun with a barrel no longer than six (6) inches and chambered in a caliber no larger than .45 caliber. For the purposes of this section, a “ licensed hunter ” or “ licensed tracker ” shall mean a hunter or tracker with the proper license for hunting white-tailed deer.

Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as allowing any individual to trespass upon the lands of another while in pursuit of an injured or wounded white-tailed deer animal.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 35 / Section 39-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The Department of Finance and Administration shall provide the office space, staff and other support necessary for the board to perform its duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-40 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 15-40
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-40
Status: in_force

The department may support projects in the nature of digging or constructing canals or ditches to bring additional water to existing oyster reefs or beds in need of that water, or for the purpose of creating or establishing new oyster reefs or beds. The department may also enter into interstate or intrastate efforts to support these projects and may seek and utilize aid from all federal, state and local sources in this endeavor.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-65 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 27-65
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-65
Status: in_force

(a) To implement the policy set forth in the chapter and to assist in the protection of coastal wetlands, the commission acting with the cooperation and assistance of the Gulf Regional Planning Commission and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory shall evaluate the coastal wetlands and prepare charts at an appropriate scale showing the distribution of coastal wetlands as defined in this chapter. These charts will be provided to the offices of the chancery clerk of affected counties and to the Gulf Regional Planning Commission. The charts will be updated and reissued periodically as needed to provide a current inventory of coastal wetlands.

(b) The commission shall promote the education of the public about scientific and economic knowledge concerning coastal wetlands.

(c) In recognition of the national policy expressed in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, Public Law 92-583 , the commission is directed to include an overall plan for use of coastal and private wetlands in the Mississippi Coastal Zone Management Plan being prepared by the commission. The commission is further directed to identify and include in such plan specific coastal and private wetlands which should be set aside as estuarine sanctuaries.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 39-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-5
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(7) The Department of Finance and Administration shall provide the office space, staff and other support necessary for the board to perform its duties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-15
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) To set standards of measure;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(2) The department shall not adopt rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to marine resources which are more stringent than federal regulations. In any case where federal laws and regulations are silent on a matter pertaining to marine resources, the laws and regulations of the State of Mississippi shall control. The department shall review all marine resource ordinances for compliance with the no more stringent standard and revise any ordinances more stringent than this standard no later than December 31, 1992. This subsection shall not apply to rules, regulations or ordinances pertaining to the wild stock of marine fin fish.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-771 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-17-527 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / 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. § 49-8-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 8-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-11
Status: in_force

The department shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To issue or deny permits required by law or regulation;

(b) To inspect and determine if the facilities, conditions and standards prescribed by law and regulation are sufficient for the safety of the public;

(c) To place conditions on a permit to ensure compliance; and

(d) To seize any wild animal possessed in violation of this chapter or regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-67 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-67
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, sell or offer for sale the pelt of any fur-bearing animal knowing that the same has been unlawfully taken.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-74 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 15-74
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-74
Status: in_force

The commission shall establish open season for menhaden not later than the third Monday in April and ending no sooner than the second Tuesday in October.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-39
Status: in_force

Information obtained by the commission concerning environmental protection including but not limited to information contained in applications for air emission equipment construction permits and water discharge permits shall be public information and shall be made available upon proper request. Other information obtained by the commission, department or permit board in the administration of Sections 49-17-1 through 49-17-43 concerning trade secrets, including, but not limited to, marketing or financial information, processes, devices, methods of manufacture, or production capabilities or amounts shall be kept confidential, if and only if: (a) a written confidentiality claim is made when the information is supplied; (b) such confidentiality claim allows disclosure of the confidential information to authorized department employees and/or the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and (c) such confidentiality claim is determined by the commission to be valid. If the confidentiality claim is denied, the information sought to be covered thereby shall not be released or disclosed, except to the Environmental Protection Agency, until the claimant has been notified in writing and afforded an opportunity for a hearing and appeal therefrom, as with other orders of the commission. Disclosure of confidential information by the EPA should be governed by federal law and EPA regulations. Anyone making unauthorized disclosure of information determined to be confidential as herein provided shall be liable in a civil action for damages arising therefrom and shall also be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 37-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-37-11
Status: in_force

The Department of Environmental Quality shall serve as the coordinator for implementation of this chapter. The Department of Environmental Quality shall provide any technical and other support services and personnel as the Mississippi Scientific Information Management System Coordinating Council may require in the performance of its functions. The Department of Environmental Quality shall administer any funds made available to the coordinating council for its use and shall at the request and on behalf of the coordinating council, contract for services using any funds available to the coordinating council.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 23-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-17
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(4) This section shall not apply to any on-premises sign ordinance adopted by a political subdivision or other governmental agency before May 15, 1992.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-225 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-225
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-225
Status: in_force

Any agency, department, board, commission or other subdivision of government of the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof is authorized to implement an approved practice on any lands suitable for forestry purposes owned by such political entity or owned by the State of Mississippi and supervised or managed by such entity. The governing authorities of such entity shall engage the assistance of the county forester of the county in which the land is located in the preparation of an application for submission to the commission. The commission shall treat any such political entity as an individual owner for purposes of considering applications, granting cost-share assistance and approving the practice implemented.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-743 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-743
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-743
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(aa) So long as any indebtedness on the systems of the county authority remains outstanding, to require by contract with a member public agency, or other person, that all water, wastewater and storm water within the boundaries of the respective county authority be disposed of through the appropriate treatment system to the extent that the same may be available, but no public agency shall be precluded from constructing, operating and maintaining its own such system after the current indebtedness owing on the system as of April 18, 2006, is paid in full.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-205 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 19-205
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-205
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(g) “Forest development fund” shall mean the special fund established in the State Treasury, designated as the Forest Resource Development Fund, created by Section 49-19-227 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-57 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 27-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-57
Status: in_force

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

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

(c) It shall be a misdemeanor to materially harm or disturb scientific devices and recording instruments left in coastal wetlands by authorized agencies of the state or federal government, and a violation of this subsection shall be punishable by a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment of not more than thirty (30) days or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-89 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-89
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-89
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to catch, destroy, confine, hold or have in his possession, whether for individual use or for market, any of the genus callinectes sapidus (blue crab) or allied species, of a smaller size than five (5) inches measured from the tip of one (1) lateral spine across the back of the shell to the tip of the opposite lateral spine; provided that peeler crabs and soft-shell crabs are exempt from these limitations. Conservation officers may inspect any catch for violations of any of the provisions of Sections 49-15-83 through 49-15-91 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-19
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who files a written objection pursuant to Section 49-27-15 may appear at the public hearing and be heard.

(b) The burden of proof shall be on the applicant, whether a hearing is held or not; provided, however, no application shall be denied without giving the applicant a right to a hearing according to the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-3-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 3-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-3-5
Status: in_force

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning is hereby authorized and directed to establish a fisheries and wildlife laboratory at Mississippi State University under the direction of the president and such other administrative authorities within the university as such board of trustees may determine.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-21 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 28-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-21
Status: in_force

The board of supervisors may, upon petition by the board of commissioners of the district, exercise the power of eminent domain on behalf of the district wherever and whenever public necessity and convenience so requires.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-75 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-75
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-75
Status: in_force

The commission contemplated by Article IV of the above compact shall consist of three (3) members, as follows: One legislator, who may either be a member of the Mississippi State Senate or the Mississippi House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Mississippi Commission on Interstate Co-operation, and two (2) executive officers or employees in the executive branch of the state government whose duties, experience and abilities qualify them for such a position, to be appointed by the governor. Each member of the commission must be a qualified voter of this state and shall serve for a term of four (4) years and be eligible to immediately succeed himself.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.2 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / 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. § 49-19-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-35
Status: in_force

As used in this section:

(a) “ Biomass ” means bioenergy feedstocks from forest products manufacturing, including, without limitation:

(i) Forest products manufacturing residuals, including, without limitation:

1. Pulping liquors;

2. Pulping byproducts;

3. Woody manufacturing residuals;

4. Paper recycling residuals;

5. Wastewater and processed water treatment plant residuals; and

6. Anaerobic digester biogas;

(ii) Harvest residues, including, without limitation, trees or portions of harvested trees;

(iii) Downed wood from extreme weather events or natural disasters;

(iv) Nonhazardous landscape or right-of-way trimmings and municipal trimmings;

(v) Plant material removed for purposes of invasive or noxious plant species control;

(vi) Biowaste, including, without limitation, landfill gas;

(vii) Forest biomass derived from residues created as a byproduct of timber harvesting;

(viii) Forest management activities conducted for timber stand improvement or to increase yield, ecological restoration or to maintain or enhance forest health;

(ix) Biomass materials described by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as fuels under 40 CFR Statute 241.1 et seq., as it existed on January 1, 2023; and

(x) Other used wood products, including, without limitation, crates and pallets.

(b) “ Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage ” means the process of capturing and permanently storing carbon dioxide from biomass energy generation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-409 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-33-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 33-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-11
Status: in_force

The state shall not make a waiver of the provisions of this chapter a condition for approval of the use or continued use of real property or the issuance of any permit or other entitlement. The acceptance by an owner of any approval of use, continued use, permit or other entitlement shall not constitute a waiver of the rights of the owner to compensation for inverse condemnation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 19-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-17
Status: in_force

The state and county boards of public education are directed to provide for proper courses of instruction by textbooks, or lectures on the general subject of forestry in all the public schools and colleges of this state; and they are further directed to provide for the celebration of arbor day by all public schools, on which day ornamental and shade trees, flowers, etc., are to be placed, where practicable, on the grounds surrounding all public schoolhouses.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 23 / Section 31-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-13
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall complete a comprehensive study of the status of pollution prevention and recycling activities in Mississippi. The study shall address, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) The types and quantities of wastes generated in the state, the existing system for management of wastes, and pollution prevention and recycling efforts to date in the state;

(b) The advisability, feasibility and potential impacts of waste stream reduction through statutory restraints;

(c) The identification of key business, industry, academic institutions and governmental entities which should receive priorities in technical assistance;

(d) The establishment of the program priorities, objectives, missions and goals for pollution prevention and recycling in the state, including a methodology for assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of the program in attaining program goals and objectives;

(e) The development of a methodology to assess progress in minimizing waste, preventing pollution and recycling in the state; and

(f) Any other information deemed necessary by the department to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(2) The study shall be presented to the Chairman of the Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the Mississippi House of Representatives and the Environmental Protection, Conservation and Water Resources Committee of the Mississippi Senate by the second day of each legislative session.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 35-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds:

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

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

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

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

(e) This article will provide incentives for the voluntary cleanup of brownfield property without use of taxpayer funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 27-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-23
Status: in_force

The commission may grant, issue, reissue, modify, deny, suspend or revoke permits and may prescribe limitations and conditions on permits. When taking such action on any permit, the commission shall consider the effect of the proposed activity with reference to the public policy expressed in Section 49-27-3 of this chapter. A permittee under this chapter must obtain a permit from the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality if required by that commission under Sections 49-17-29 through 49-17-43 , and nothing in this chapter is intended to waive the requirements and standards of such commission. A Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality permit granted to an applicant under this chapter shall be proof of the applicant's meeting any water quality standard considered by the commission under this chapter. Any conflict under this chapter between the commission and the Commission on Environmental Quality shall be resolved in favor of the Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission may undertake studies regarding water quality and submit the results of such studies to the Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 19-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-141
Status: in_force

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

SOUTH CENTRAL INTERSTATE FOREST FIRE PROTECTION COMPACT

Article I.

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

Article II.

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

Article III.

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

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

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

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

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

Article IV.

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

Article V.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article VI.

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

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

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

Article VII.

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

Article VIII.

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

Article IX.

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding on each state ratifying it until the legislature or the governor of such state takes action to withdraw therefrom. Such action shall not be effective until six (6) months after notice thereof has been sent by the chief executive of the state desiring to withdraw to the chief executives of all states then parties to the compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-305 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-27-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 27-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All activities, areas and entities exempt from the regulatory provisions, whether by name or reference, when carrying out what would otherwise be regulated activities in coastal wetlands shall at all times adhere to the policy as set forth in Section 49-27-3 . Each entity shall notify the commission of all such activities so that the commission may be fully advised of all activities in the coastal wetlands.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / Section 33-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-5
Status: in_force

It is declared the policy of the State of Mississippi to conserve, protect and encourage the continued use, development and improvement of forest and agricultural land within the state for the production of agricultural products and timber, wood and forest products including nongame species. The vital and significant contributions of forestry and agricultural activities to the economy of the State of Mississippi and the use of land in the state as forest and agricultural lands are essential factors in providing for the favorable quality of life in the State of Mississippi.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-422 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-7-83 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-83
Status: in_force

It shall be unlawful for any person to fail to return to the water, immediately, any game fish taken by net or seines or other contrivances used for the taking of fish not classified as game fish.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-65 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / 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. § 49-19-219 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-15-64.2 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / 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. § 49-17-403 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-403
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-403
Status: in_force

For the purposes of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 , the following shall have the meaning ascribed in this section:

(a) “ Active site ” means a site of an underground storage tank where an owner can be identified and where the tank is available for use in the management and handling of motor fuels, including tanks currently in service, tanks temporarily closed and tanks temporarily out of service.

(b) “ Bonded distributor ” means any person holding a distributor's permit issued under either Section 27-55-7 or Section 27-55-507 .

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

(d) “ Contamination ” means the presence or discharge of regulated substances in or on the land or in the waters of the state.

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

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

(g) “ Groundwater ” means water located beneath the land surface located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the state.

(h) “ Motor fuels ” means gasoline and aviation gasoline as defined in Section 27-55-5 and special fuel as defined in Section 27-55-505 , except for those “motor fuels” used in electric power generating plants for the commercial production of electricity.

(i) “ Operator ” means any person in control of, or having responsibility for, the daily operation of an underground storage tank.

(j) “ Owner of an underground storage tank ” means:

(i) In the case of an underground storage tank in use on November 8, 1984, or brought into use after that date, any person who owns an underground storage tank used for the storage, use or dispensing of regulated substances; and

(ii) In the case of an underground storage tank in use before November 8, 1984, but no longer in use on that date, any person who owned such tank immediately before the discontinuation of its use.

(k) “ Person ” means an individual, trust, firm, joint-stock company, federal agency, corporation, state municipality, commission, political subdivision of a state, any interstate body, a consortium, a joint venture, a commercial entity or the United States government.

(l) “ Regulated substance ” means:

(i) Any substance defined in Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, Public Law No. 96-510 , as amended and extended (but not including any substance regulated as a hazardous waste under Section 17-17-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972); and

(ii) Petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, which is liquid at standard conditions of temperature and pressure (sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit and fourteen and seven-tenths (14- 7 / 10 ) pounds per square inch absolute).

(m) “ Release ” means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, leaching or disposing from an underground storage tank into groundwater, surface water or subsurface soils.

(n) “ Response action ” means any activity, including evaluation, planning, design, engineering, construction and ancillary services, which is carried out in response to any discharge, release or threatened release of motor fuels.

(o) “ Response action contractor ” means a person who has been approved by the commission and is carrying out any response action, including a person retained or hired by such person to provide services relating to a response action.

(p) “ Retailer ” means any person other than a bonded distributor who sells motor fuel as defined in this section.

(q) “ Substantial compliance ” means that an owner or operator of an underground storage tank has registered that tank with the department, and has made a good-faith effort to comply with the law; and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(r) “ Third-party claim ” means any civil action brought or asserted by any person against any owner of any underground storage tank for damages to person or property which damages are the direct result of a release of motor fuels from an underground storage tank.

(s) “ Underground storage tank ” means any one (1) or combination of containers including tanks, vessels, enclosures or structures together with appurtenances thereto used to contain an accumulation of regulated substances, and the volume of which, including the volume of the underground pipes connected thereto, is ten percent (10%) or more beneath the surface of the ground. Such term does not include any:

(i) Farm or residential tanks of one thousand one hundred (1,100) gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes;

(ii) Tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored;

(iii) Septic tanks;

(iv) Pipeline facilities (including gathering lines regulated under:

1. The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, Public Law No. 90-481 , 49 USCS 1671 - 1684 , as amended and extended,

2. The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, Public Law No. 96-129 , 49 USCS 2001 et seq., as amended and extended, or

3. An intrastate pipeline facility regulated under state laws comparable to the provisions of law in Clause 1 or 2 of this subparagraph);

(v) Surface impoundments, pits, ponds or lagoons;

(vi) Storm water or wastewater collection systems;

(vii) Flow-through process tanks;

(viii) Liquid traps or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operation;

(ix) Storage tanks situated in an underground area such as a basement, cellar, mine working, drift, shaft or tunnel if the storage tank is situated upon or above the surface of the floor;

(x) Other tanks exempted by the Administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency; and

(xi) Piping connected to any of the above exemptions.

(t) “ User ” means any person who purchases or acquires motor fuels as defined in this section for consumption.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 27-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-71
Status: in_force

(1) Definitions. As used in the section, the following words and phrases have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(a) “ Abandoned vessel ” means a vessel left unattended for four (4) or more weeks after a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural event resulting in a declaration of emergency by the Governor, or, in the absence of a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural event resulting in a declaration of emergency by the Governor, any of the following:

(i) A vessel left unattended that is moored, anchored, or otherwise in the waters of the state or on public property for a period of more than ten (10) days.

(ii) A vessel that is moored, anchored, or otherwise on or attached to private property for a period of more than ten (10) days without the consent of the owner or lessee of the property or of the public trust tidelands.

Upon notification from the owner of the vessel outlining the circumstances following a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural event, the department may grant an exception to the time frames indicated above.

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

(c) “ Derelict vessel ” means a vessel in the waters of the State of Mississippi that satisfies any of the following:

(i) Is aground without the ability to extricate itself absent mechanical assistance;

(ii) Is sunk or otherwise resting on the bottom of the waterway;

(iii) Is abandoned;

(iv) Is wrecked, junked, or in a substantially dismantled condition upon any waters of this state:

1. A vessel is “wrecked” if it is sunken or sinking; or remaining after a marine casualty, including, but not limited to, a boating accident, extreme weather, or fire.

2. A vessel is “junked” if it has been substantially stripped of vessel components, if vessel components have substantially degraded or been destroyed, or if the vessel has been discarded by the owner or operator. Attaching an outboard motor to a vessel that is otherwise junked will not cause the vessel to no longer be junked if such motor is not an effective means of propulsion.

3. A vessel is “substantially dismantled” if at least two (2) of the three (3) following vessel systems or components are missing, compromised, incomplete, inoperable, or broken:

(A) The steering system;

(B) The propulsion system; or

(C) The exterior hull integrity.

Attaching an outboard motor to a vessel that is otherwise substantially dismantled will not cause the vessel to no longer be substantially dismantled if such motor is not an effective means of propulsion;

(v) Docked, grounded, or beached upon the property of another without the consent of the owner of the property;

(vi) Is obstructing a waterway or within one hundred (100) yards of the boundaries of any state, county or municipal port;

(vii) Is endangering life or property;

(viii) Has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor, mooring, or ties; or

(iv) 1 A vessel that is otherwise not seaworthy.

(d) “ Documented vessel ” means a vessel documented under 46 USC, Chapter 121 .

(e) “ Effective means of propulsion ” means a vessel, other than a barge, that is equipped with:

(i) A functioning motor, controls, and steering system; or

(ii) Rigging and sails that are present and in good working order, and a functioning steering system.

A vessel does not have an effective means of propulsion for safe navigation within seventy-two (72) hours after the vessel owner or operator received telephonic notice, in-person notice recorded on an agency-approved body camera, or written notice, which may be provided by facsimile, electronic mail, or other electronic means, stating such from a representative of the department, and the vessel owner or operator is unable to provide a receipt, proof of purchase, or other documentation of having ordered necessary parts for vessel repair. The department may adopt regulations to implement this paragraph.

(f) “ Floating building or structure ” means a floating entity, with or without accommodations built thereon, which is not primarily used as a means of transportation on water but which serves purposes or provides services typically associated with a structure or other improvement to real property. The term includes, but is not limited to, an entity used as a residence, place of business or office with public access; a hotel or motel; a restaurant or lounge; a clubhouse; a meeting facility; a storage or parking facility; or a mining platform, dredge, dragline, or similar facility or entity represented as such. Incidental movement upon water or resting partially or entirely on the bottom does not, in and of itself, preclude an entity from classification as a floating structure.

(g) “ Gross negligence ” means conduct so reckless or wanting in care that it constitutes a conscious disregard or indifference to the safety of the property to such conduct.

(h) “ Moored ” means a vessel that is anchored or affixed in some other way to the public trust tidelands, to leased tidelands, to private land, or within the riparian zone of a private or public landowner or leaseholder.

(i) “ Registered ” means a vessel documented under Section 59-21-5 .

(j) “ Unseaworthy ” means a vessel that is not fit or safe for any normal perils of the sea or has no effective means of propulsion.

(k) “ Vessel ” means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane, capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water. For the purposes of this section, vessels powered only by hand, foot, oars or paddles, are included.

For the purposes of this section, floatable buildings and structures, whether or not they are used for navigation, are included.

(l) “ Waters of the state ” means any waters located within Harrison, Hancock and Jackson Counties under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources as established pursuant to Section 49-15-23 .

(m) “ Willful misconduct ” means conduct evidencing carelessness or negligence of such a degree or recurrence as to manifest culpability, wrongful intent, or evil design or to show an intentional and substantial disregard of the interests of the vessel owner.

(2) Jurisdiction. (a)(i) In the waters of Harrison, Hancock and Jackson Counties, a person, firm, corporation or other entity may not leave derelict or at risk of being derelict, any vessel on the coastal wetlands, marine waters, or on public or privately owned lands without the owner's permission.

(ii) The Department of Marine Resources has the authority to remove derelict vessels, whether located on private or public property.

(iii) Vessels located in ports and harbors are subject to the provisions outlined in Title 50, Mississippi Code of 1972 , Ports, Harbors, Landings and Watercraft.

(iv) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (a) does not apply to vessels located in marinas, garages or repair shops for repairs, improvements or other work with knowledge of the owner and for which the costs for such services have been unpaid.

(v) Vessels deemed to be derelict pursuant to this chapter are exempt from the salvage provisions in Section 89-17-1 et seq.

(b)(i) In all other waters of the State of Mississippi, a person, firm, corporation or other entity may not leave derelict or at risk of being derelict, any vessel in the wetlands, public waters or waterways or on public or privately owned lands without the owner's permission.

(ii) Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b) does not apply to vessels located in public or private marinas, garages or repair shops for repairs, improvements or other work with knowledge of the owner and for which the costs for such services have been unpaid.

(iii) Vessels deemed to be derelict pursuant to this chapter are exempt from the salvage provisions of Section 89-17-1 et seq.

(3) Penalties. Violations of this act will be subject to the penalties as provided in Section 49-15-63 .

(4) Standing. A party with standing may initiate the derelict vessel procedures in this section. For purpose of this section, the following parties have standing:

(a) The owner of the property where the vessel came to rest or to which the vessel was made fast;

(b) Any harbormaster, police department, municipality or agent of the state that agrees to accept or process a derelict vessel; or

(c) Any professional marine salvager when the salvager is engaged by a person with standing.

(5) Landowner permission may be revoked at any time. The landowner must provide the department sufficient proof that the vessel owner has been notified of the revocation of landowner's permission or proof that the landowner cannot locate the owner of the vessel.

When a vessel that is not otherwise leased to another party is moored upon public trust tidelands for a period of thirty (30) days or longer, permission must be granted by the Secretary of State's Office.

(6) Notice. Any party with standing, or his or her representative, may initiate the notice process by filing an application with the department to remove the derelict vessel. Upon receipt and review of the application, the department may initiate the following notice process:

(a) A department officer is authorized to board any vessel that has been reported to the department as being derelict or at risk of being derelict to determine the condition of the vessel and in an attempt to establish ownership of the vessel.

(b) A department officer shall post notice, which must comply with the following requirements:

(i) Be posted on the vessel in a prominent location, visible to an approaching person;

(ii) Require the vessel owner to submit a plan for removal to the department within seven (7) days of the notice; and

(iii) Include a space for the owner of the vessel to respond.

(c) If the registered owner responds with a signature in the space or otherwise provides a written response to the department requesting an extension of time, then the registered owner will have an additional five (5) days to submit the plan for removal.

(d) The department will notify the respondent of the approval or denial of the removal plan within seven (7) business days.

(e) If the respondent fails to comply with the approved removal plan and fails to submit a satisfactory reason as to why the vessel cannot be moved as planned, the department may present the removal plan and evidence of the owner's noncompliance to the chancery court.

(f) Upon presentation of the required evidence, the chancery court will issue an order allowing the department or its representative to remove the vessel from its current location and make whatever disposition is deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, immediate disposal, storage pending disposal, use for official purposes, transfer to another state agency or other disposition.

(g) If the vessel is located in an area of coastal wetlands where emergent vegetation is present or where the vessel is embedded in the ground, a wetlands permit may be required prior to removal.

(h) Any party who acts in good faith and without malicious intent in the processing, storing or moving any derelict vessel pursuant to this section is immune from liability for damages to the vessel.

(7) Determining ownership. (a) Upon receipt of an application for the removal of a derelict vessel where no removal plan has been submitted by the owner, the department must attempt to contact the registered owner of the vessel and any lien holders of record by other available means.

(b) The department must inquire of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) as to the status of the vessel in regard to the Mississippi Boating Law of 1960, Section 59-21-1 et seq. , or the United States Coast Guard as to the status of the vessel in regard to documentation under 46 USC, Chapter 121 .

(c) The inquiry must provide the description of the vessel, including the vessel registration number.

(d) The MDWFP is required to provide the requested information to the department within two (2) business days.

(e) The registered owner of a vessel must comply with Section 59-21-21 to change ownership. In the event a vessel owner fails to notify the MDWFP of a transfer of ownership and supply the new owner's contact information, the owner of the vessel according to MDWFP records is presumed to be the person to whom the vessel is registered.

(f) If there is no registered owner found, the department must make publication on the department's website and in a newspaper with general circulation for three (3) weeks, describing the vessel and the location.

(8) Derelict vessel removal. (a) After the initial notice period described in subsection (6) has lapsed and the department can show proof of inquiries to ascertain the vessel ownership under subsection (7) of this section, the department may obtain an order from the chancery court for the derelict vessel to be removed from its current location.

(b) The chancery court order may authorize the department to make whatever disposition is deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, immediate disposal of the vessel, storage pending disposal, use for official purposes, transfer to another state agency or other disposition.

(c) If the vessel is located in an area of coastal wetlands where emergent vegetation is present or where the vessel is embedded in the ground, a wetlands permit may be required prior to removal.

(d) Any person who acts in good faith and without malicious intent in the processing, storing or moving of any derelict vessel pursuant to this section is immune from civil liability for damage to the vessel.

(9) Emergency removal. Any derelict vessel that is obstructing a waterway, is within any designated navigation channel or within one hundred (100) yards of the boundaries of any state, county or municipal port may be declared a hazard to navigation and subject to immediate relocation, removal disposal, or other disposition by the department or other party with standing.

(a) Any derelict vessel that is leaking any hazardous substances, chemicals or fuels will be reported to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and may be declared an environmental hazard and subject to immediate relocation, removal, disposal or other disposition by MDEQ, the department or other party with standing.

(b) The registered owner of a vessel removed in accordance with this subsection (9) is liable for the costs associated with the relocation, removal, salvage storage or disposal of the vessel and any damages to the flora and fauna within the affected area.

(c) Any funds derived from salvage or sale of a vessel pursuant to this section will be used to offset the costs to the department associated with the removal, salvage, storage or disposal of the vessel.

(d) Any funds derived from damages to the flora and fauna will be deposited into the Coastal Resource Management Fund if the Department of Marine Resources initiates the action.

(e) Any party who relocates or removes a vessel under this section is not liable for damages resulting from relocation or removal unless the damage results from gross negligence or willful misconduct.

(10) Cost recovery. (a) The department may seek full cost recovery from the registered owner of the derelict vessel for any expense incurred as a result of, or incidental to, removing the vessel. The registered owner of the vessel is liable for the costs of removal, storage, disposal, and restoration of affected lands, attorneys' fees, and all court costs.

(b) The owner of the vessel is also liable for an administrative penalty of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day. The penalty for emergency removal of vessels under subsection (9) of this section may be imposed by the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources upon the recommendation of the Advisory Commission on Marine Resources, under Section 49-15-401 et seq. The fines for removal of all other vessels may be imposed by the chancery court.

(c) Expenses incurred, including, but not limited to, fines, court costs, vessel removal, storage, disposal, restoration of affected lands, and attorneys' fees for derelict vessels will be imposed by the chancery court as outlined in subsection (11) of this section.

(d) If the registered owner should fail to pay fines imposed by the department in accordance with paragraph (b) of this subsection, an enforcement action will be filed with the chancery court which may result in the court issuing an order, including, but not limited to, the collection of fines, court costs, and/or any legal avenue the court finds appropriate to collect such funds.

(e) All proceeds from any activity initiated by the Department of Marine Resources related to the disposition of a vessel under this chapter will go into the Derelict Vessel Fund, a special fund within the Seafood Fund. However, any fines imposed for the damage to coastal wetlands will be placed in the Coastal Resource Management Fund.

(11) Court process. (a) The chancery court of the county in which the vessel is located has jurisdiction over all matters concerning derelict vessels under this section, including injunctions and demands for damages. If the vessel is allowed to float and/or is otherwise moved to another county after notice has been provided under subsection (6) of this section, the county in which the vessel was first provided notice shall have continuing jurisdiction.

(b) If there is no response to the publication attempts under subsection (7)(e) of this section, the chancery court will issue an order to the department allowing the department to take possession of the vessel and make such use or disposition of the vessel as deemed appropriate under the circumstances. If the department determines that the vessel may be used for official purposes or otherwise sold, the MDWFP will issue a vessel registration number or a hull identification number to the department after proof of publication has been submitted.

(c) The chancery court may, in its discretion, order damages up to Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for every day the vessel was left abandoned or derelict, beginning on the day notice was posted on the vessel.

(d) If the department or a party with standing desires to require the registered owner to remove the vessel, then he or she may apply to the chancery court for a writ of mandatory injunction ordering the registered owner to remove the vessel. The chancery court must allow a reasonable time for removal and restoration of the affected lands. The chancery court may order further damages not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day that the violation exists beyond the date set by the court in an injunction for the removal of the vessel and restoration of the affected lands.

(e) Any court-ordered reimbursed costs or damages in excess of the actual costs of removal and restoration initiated by the Department of Marine Resources must be deposited in a special fund in the State Treasury known as the “Derelict Vessel Fund” within the Seafood Fund. Any funds deposited in the fund must be used to cover the administrative costs and removal costs incurred by the department for the removal of vessels. Any remaining funds must be used to cover the costs of removing additional derelict vessels. However, any fines imposed for the damage to coastal wetlands will be placed in the Coastal Resource Management Fund.

(12) Department authorities. (a) The department is authorized to enter into contracts with individuals, firms and corporations, or agreements with other state agencies for the removal and/or temporary storage of vessels prior to removal. The salvage value, if any, of the vessel may be used to offset the costs of the removal of the vessel and the restoration of the affected area. The department may enter into noncompetitive contracts or agreements with any state or federal entity for the removal of vessels.

(b) The department may enter into interstate or intrastate agreements toward this end, and may seek and utilize aid from all federal, state, and local sources in this endeavor.

(c) The Department of Marine Resources shall adopt rules and regulations necessary and appropriate to carry out this section for actions falling within its jurisdiction.

(d) The department may promulgate regulations to establish a derelict vessel prevention program to address vessels at risk of becoming derelict. Such program may, but is not required to, include:

(i) Removal, relocation, and destruction of vessels declared a public nuisance due to the lack of proper marine sanitation, derelict or at risk of becoming derelict, or lost or abandoned.

(ii) Creation of a vessel turn-in program allowing the owner of a vessel determined by the department to be at risk of becoming derelict, to turn the vessel and vessel title over to the department to be destroyed without penalty.

(iii) Providing for removal and destruction or other disposition of an abandoned vessel for which an owner cannot be identified or the owner of which is deceased and no heir is interested in acquiring the vessel.

(iv) Purchase of anchor line, anchors, and other equipment necessary for securing vessels at risk of becoming derelict.

(v) Creating or acquiring moorings designated for securing vessels at risk of becoming derelict.

(e) The State of Mississippi, the Commission on Marine Resources, the Department of Marine Resources, and their employees and representatives shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the removal, towing, storage, sale or disposal of any vessel that is derelict or hazardous under this section.

(f) The department or any party with standing does not incur liability for any resulting damage to the vessel or any damage the vessel may cause to any property or person during the time frame between posting notice and vessel removal. If any damages occur during the period of time between notice and removal of the vessel, the registered vessel owner, according to MDWFP records, is presumed liable for all damages.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-405 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-405
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-405
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund, hereinafter referred to as the “fund” to be administered by the Executive Director of the Department of Environmental Quality. The commission shall adopt regulations for administering this fund.

(2) The commission shall expend or utilize monies up to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) annually in the fund by an annual appropriation approved by the Legislature to supplement all reasonable direct and indirect costs associated with the development and administration of the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program if the annual tank regulatory fee in Section 49-17-421 does not adequately cover the costs associated with Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 . All reasonable direct and indirect costs associated with development and administration of the UST Program, including, but not limited to, the reasonable costs of the following activities as they relate to the UST Program:

(a) Preparing generally applicable regulations or guidance regarding the UST Program or its implementation or enforcement;

(b) Administering the UST Program, including the supporting and tracking of UST owners/operators and associated UST systems, compliance with UST regulations, the fund, UST-certified contractors, tank fees and related data entry;

(c) Implementing and enforcing the terms of the UST regulations; and

(d) Investigation, assessment and rehabilitation of contamination sites with restoration or replacement of potable water supplies.

At no time shall an annual fund appropriation result in more than supplemental funding for the current annual cost of administering the UST Program.

(3) Whenever in the executive director's determination a release of motor fuels at an active site may pose a threat to the environment or the public health, safety or welfare, the department shall obligate monies available in the fund to provide for:

(a) Investigation and assessment of contamination sites;

(b) Restoration or replacement of potable water supplies;

(c) Rehabilitation of contamination sites, which may consist of cleanup of affected soil, groundwater and inland surface waters, using cost-effective alternatives that are technologically feasible and reliable, and that provide adequate protection of the public health, safety and welfare and minimize environmental damage, in accordance with the site selection and clean-up criteria established by the commission, except that nothing herein shall be construed to authorize the commission to obligate funds for payment of costs which may be associated with, but are not integral to, site rehabilitation, such as the cost for retrofitting or replacing underground storage tanks.

(4) Whenever the commission has expended funds from the fund created by Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 , the owner of the underground storage tank shall not be liable to the department for such costs if the owner was in substantial compliance on the date on which the discharge of the motor fuels which necessitates the cleanup was reported to the department. Otherwise owners are responsible for reimbursement and the reimbursed monies shall go back into the fund. In such circumstances the commission is authorized to take any necessary action to recover these monies from responsible owners.

(5) Any provisions of this section and chapter regarding liability for the costs of cleanup, removal, remediation or abatement of any pollution, hazardous waste or solid waste shall be limited as provided in Section 49-17-42 and rules adopted thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-71
Status: in_force

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

Article I

The purpose of this compact is to promote effective control and reduction of pollution in the waters of the Tennessee River Basin through increased co-operation of the states of the basin, co-ordination of pollution control activities and programs in the basin, and the establishment of a joint interstate commission to assist in these efforts.

Article II

The party states hereby create the “Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control Commission,” hereinafter referred to as the “commission,” which shall be an agency of each party state with the powers and duties set forth herein, and such others as shall be conferred upon it by the party states or by the Congress of the United States concurred in by the party states.

Article III

A. The party states hereby create the “Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control District,” hereinafter called the “district,” which consists of the area drained by the Tennessee River and its tributaries.

B. From time to time the commission may conduct surveys of the basin, study the pollution problems of the basin, and make comprehensive reports concerning the prevention or reduction of water pollution therein. The commission may draft and recommend to the parties hereto suggested legislation dealing with the pollution of waters within the basin or any portion thereof. Upon request of a state water pollution control agency, and in a manner agreed upon by such agency and the commission, the commission shall render advice concerning the various governments, communities, municipalities, persons, corporations or other entities with regard to particular problems connected with the pollution of waters. The commission shall present to the appropriate officials of any government or agency thereof its recommendations relating to enactments to be made by any legislature in furthering the intents and purposes of this article. The commission, upon request of a member state or upon its own instance may, after proper study, and after conducting public hearings, recommend minimum standards of water quality to be followed in the several areas of the district.

Article IV

The commission shall consist of three (3) commissioners from each state, each of whom shall be a resident voter of such state. The commissioners shall be chosen in the manner and for the terms provided by the laws of the state from which they are appointed, and each commissioner may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which he is appointed.

Article V

A. The commission shall elect annually from its members a chairman and a vice-chairman to serve at its pleasure. It shall adopt a seal and suitable by-laws for its management and control. The commission is hereby authorized to adopt, prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations for administering and enforcing all provisions of this compact. It may maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business. Meetings shall be held at least once each year. It may determine duties, qualifications and compensation for and appoint such employees and consultants as may be necessary and remove or replace them.

B. The commission shall not compensate the commissioners for their services but shall pay their actual expenses incurred in and incidental to the performance of their duties.

C. The commission may acquire, by gift or otherwise, and may hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be appropriate to the performance of its functions. In the event of sale of real property, proceeds may be distributed among the several party states, each state's share being computed in a ratio to its contributions; and in the event of dissolution of the commission, the property and assets shall be disposed of and proceeds distributed in a like manner.

D. Each commissioner shall have one vote. One or more commissioners from a majority of the party states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but no action of the commission imposing any obligation on any party state or any municipality, person, corporation or other entity therein shall be binding unless a majority of all of the members from such party state shall have voted in favor thereof. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements, and shall submit to the governor and the legislature of each party state an annual report concerning its activities, and shall make recommendations for any legislative, executive or administrative action deemed advisable.

E. The commission shall at the proper time submit to the governor of each party state for his approval an estimate of its proposed expenditures. The commission shall subsequently adopt a budget and submit appropriation requests to the party states in accordance with the laws and procedures of such states.

F. The commission shall not pledge the credit of any of the party states. The Commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with funds available to it, from gifts, grants, appropriations or otherwise, provided that the commission takes specific action setting aside such funds prior to the incurring of any obligation to be met in whole or in part in this manner. Except where the commission makes use of funds already available to it, the commission shall not incur any obligations prior to the making of appropriations adequate to meet the same.

G. The accounts of the commission shall be open at any reasonable time to the inspection of such representatives of the respective party states as may be duly constituted for that purpose. All receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a qualified public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become a part of the annual report of the commission. The commission shall appoint an executive director. The commission shall also appoint a treasurer who may be a member of the commission. The executive director shall be custodian of the records of the commission with authority to attest to and certify such records and copies thereof under the seal of the commission. The commission shall require bonds of its executive director and treasurer in the amount of at least twenty-five per cent (25%) of the annual budget of the commission.

Article VI

Each of the commission's budgets of estimated expenditures shall contain specific recommendations of the amount or amounts to be appropriated by each of the party states. In determining these amounts, the commission shall prorate one half ( 1 / 2 ) of its budget among the several states in proportion to their land area within the district, and shall prorate the other half among the several states in proportion to their population within the district at the last preceding federal census.

Article VII

A. It is recognized, owing to such variable factors as location, size, character and flow and the many varied uses of the waters subject to the terms of this compact, that no single standard of sewage and waste treatment and no single standard of quality of receiving waters is practical and that the degree of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes should take into account the classification of the receiving waters according to present and proposed highest use, such as for drinking water supply, industrial and agricultural uses, bathing and other recreational purposes, maintenance and propagation of fish life, navigation and disposal of wastes.

B. The commission may establish reasonable physical, chemical and bacteriological standards of water quality satisfactory for various classifications of use. It is agreed that each of the signatory states through appropriate agencies will prepare a classification of its interstate waters in the district in entirety or by portions according to present and proposed highest use, and for this purpose technical experts employed by appropriate state water pollution control agencies are authorized to confer on questions relating to classification of interstate waters affecting two or more states. Each signatory state agrees to submit its classification of its interstate waters to the commission for approval. It is agreed that after such approval, all signatory states through their appropriate state water pollution control agencies will work to establish programs of treatment of sewage and industrial wastes which will meet standards established by the commission for classified waters. The commission may from time to time make such changes in definitions of classifications and in standards as may be required by changed conditions or as may be necessary for uniformity and in a manner similar to that in which these standards and classifications were originally established.

Article VIII

A. A state pollution control agency of any party state may certify to the commission an alleged violation of the commission's standards of quality of water entering said state. Upon such certification the commission may call a hearing at which the appropriate state pollution agencies shall be represented. If the commission finds a violation has occurred, is occurring or is likely to recur, it shall make recommendations as to the manner of abatement of the pollution to the appropriate water pollution control agency of the party state within which the violation has occurred, is occurring or is likely to recur. In the event that commission recommendations made pursuant to the preceding provisions of this article do not result in compliance within a reasonable time, the commission may, after such further investigation if any as is deemed necessary and proper and after a hearing held in the state where a violation occurs or has occurred, issue an order or orders upon any municipality, person, corporation or other entity within said party state violating provisions of this compact by discharging sewage or industrial wastes into the waters of the district which flow through, into or border upon any party state. Such order or orders may prescribe the date on or before which such discharge shall be wholly or partially discontinued, modified or treated or otherwise disposed of. The commission shall give reasonable and proper notice in writing of the time and place of the hearing to the municipality, person, corporation or other entity against which such order is proposed except that when the commission shall find that a public health emergency exists, it may issue such an order pending hearing. In all such instances, the hearing shall be promptly held and the order shall be withdrawn, modified or made permanent within thirty (30) days after hearing. No order prescribing the date on or before which such discharge shall be wholly or partially discontinued, modified or treated or otherwise disposed of shall go into effect upon a municipality, person, corporation or other entity in any state unless and until it receives the approval of a majority of the commissioners from each of not less than a majority of the party states, provided that such order receives the assent of not less than a majority of the commissioners from such state.

B. It shall be the duty of the municipality, person, corporation or other entity within a party state to comply with any such order against it or him by the commission, and any court of competent jurisdiction in any of the party states shall have jurisdiction, by mandamus, injunction, specific performance or other form of remedy, to enforce any such order against any municipality, person, corporation or other entity domiciled, located or doing business within such state; provided, however, such court may review the order and affirm, reverse or modify the same in any appropriate proceeding brought and upon any of the grounds customarily applicable in proceedings for court review of administrative decisions. The commission or, at its request, the attorney general or other law enforcing official of the appropriate state shall have power to institute in such court any action for the enforcement of such order.

Article IX

Nothing in this compact shall be construed to limit the powers of any party state, or to repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation, or the enforcement of any requirement by any party state, imposing any additional conditions and restrictions to further reduce or prevent the pollution of waters within its jurisdiction.

Article X

A. Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any provision of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Compact or to impose obligations on any party state inconsistent with those which it has undertaken or may undertake by virtue of its membership in said compact; provided that nothing contained in this article shall be deemed to limit the commission's power to set higher standards for the waters of the Tennessee River Basin Water Pollution Control District or any portion thereof than those required for the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation District.

B. Nothing contained in this compact shall be deemed to give the commission any power or jurisdiction over any aspect of pollution abatement or control within the district unless existing or future pollution of such waters does or is likely to affect adversely the quality of water flowing among, between, into or through the territory of more than one party state.

Article XI

Any two (2) or more of the party states by legislative action may enter into supplementary agreements for further regulation and abatement of water pollution in other areas within the party states and for the establishment of common or joint services or facilities for such purpose and designate the commission to act as their joint agency in regard thereto. Except in those cases where all member states join in such supplementary agreement and designation, the representatives in the commission of any group of such designating states shall constitute a separate section of the commission for the performance of the function or functions so designated and with such voting rights for these purposes as may be stipulated in such agreement; provided that, if any additional expense is involved, the member states so acting shall appropriate the necessary funds for this purpose. No supplementary agreement shall be valid to the extent that it conflicts with the purposes of this compact and the creation of such a section as a joint agency shall not affect the privileges, powers, responsibilities or duties of the member states participating therein as embodied in the other articles of this compact.

Article XII

This compact shall enter into force and become effective and binding when it has been enacted by the legislature of Tennessee and by the legislatures of any one or more of the states of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and Virginia and upon approval by the Congress of the United States and thereafter shall enter into force and become effective and binding as to any other of said states when enacted by the legislature thereof.

Article XIII

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party state until renounced by act of the legislature of such state, in such form and manner as it may choose; provided that such renunciation shall not become effective until six (6) months after the effective date of the action taken by the legislature. Notice of such renunciation shall be given to the other party states by the secretary of state of the party state so renouncing upon passage of the act.

Article XIV

The provisions of this compact or of agreements thereunder shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact, or such agreement, is declared to be contrary to the constitution of any participating state or of the United States or the applicability thereof to any state, agency, person or circumstances is held invalid, the constitutionality of the remainder of this compact or of any agreement thereunder and the applicability thereof to any state, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby, provided further that if this compact or any agreement thereunder shall be held contrary to the Constitution of the United States or of any state participating therein, the compact or any agreement thereunder shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining states and in full force and effect as to the state affected as to all severable matters. It is the legislative intent that the provisions of this compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 35-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19
Status: in_force

(1) Any land-use restriction or engineering control in a brownfield agreement and in a notice of brownfield agreement site filed under this section may be enforced by:

(a) Any current owner of the brownfield agreement site;

(b) The commission, by initiating an administrative proceeding or by filing a civil action, without first having exhausted all available administrative remedies;

(c) Any local government having jurisdiction over any part of the brownfield agreement site by filing a civil action, without the local government having first exhausted all available administrative remedies; or

(d) Any person provided liability protection under this article who will lose liability protection if the land-use restriction or engineering control is violated.

(2) Adjacent property owners may enforce any land-use restriction contained in a brownfield agreement or in a notice of brownfield agreement site filed under this section.

(3) A land-use restriction or engineering control shall not be declared unenforceable due to lack of privity of estate or contract, due to lack of benefit to particular land, or due to lack of any property interest in particular brownfield property within the brownfield agreement site. Any person who owns or leases brownfield property within the brownfield agreement site subject to a land-use restriction or engineering control under this section shall abide by the land-use restriction or engineering control.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-67 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-67
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-67
Status: in_force

Before any political subdivision shall receive any loan it shall have executed with the state tax commission a repayment agreement, a copy of which must also be filed with the bureau of pollution control of the department of natural resources, after which the bureau shall enter upon its minutes a certificate certifying that the waste disposal plant has been approved, a copy of which certificate must be delivered to and filed with the Mississippi State Tax Commission. The repayment schedule hereinabove provided for shall not be construed to prohibit any recipient from prepaying any part or all of the funds received.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-9 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 8-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-8-9
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To prescribe the forms and types of permits;

(b) To establish fees for each type of permit but no permit fee shall exceed Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00);

(c) To establish qualifications for applicants and require the applicant to furnish any information it deems necessary;

(d) To exercise all powers necessary to implement a wild animal program.

(2) The commission shall specify by regulation the requirements for cages, facilities, handling, sanitation, veterinary care, food and water necessary for the welfare of the wild animals and to ensure the safety of the public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-301 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-301
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-301
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(e) “ Recreational sports fisherman ” means an individual who catches or harvests marine species only for recreation or personal consumption and not for sale. The individual must possess a saltwater sports fishing license, be a member of an incorporated nonprofit sports fishing organization and not possess a commercial fishing or seafood processor license.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 26 / Section 31-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-15
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(d) Establish and implement, in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Finance and Administration, a source reduction program for materials, as determined by the Department of Environmental Quality, used in the course of agency operations. The program shall be designed and implemented to achieve the maximum feasible source reduction of waste as a result of agency operations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-29 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 11-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-29
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not apply to the operation of fox, coyote and rabbit enclosures as set forth in Section 49-7-34, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and shall not be construed to regulate the operation of fox, coyote and rabbit enclosures.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-68 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-68
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-68
Status: in_force

(1) For purposes of this section:

(a) “ Computer-assisted remote hunting ” means the use of a computer or any other device, equipment or software to remotely control the aiming and discharge of archery equipment, firearms or primitive firearms to take any game animal or bird.

(b) “ Facility for computer-assisted remote hunting ” means the real property and improvements on the property to facilitate computer-assisted remote hunting.

(2)(a) It is unlawful for a person to engage in computer-assisted remote hunting.

(b) It is unlawful for a person to provide or operate a facility for computer-assisted remote hunting if the game animal or bird being hunted is located in this state.

(3) A person violating this section is guilty of a Class I offense and shall be punished as provided under Section 49-7-141 . Each game animal or bird killed in the violation of this section is a separate offense.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-36 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-36
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-36
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person to knowingly: (a) fail to pay any fee assessed by the commission for administration of the federal air operating permit program; (b) fail to satisfy any air operating permit filing requirement; (c) make any false statement, representation of certification in any notice or report required by an air operating permit; or (d) render inaccurate any air monitoring device or method required by an air operating permit; and, upon conviction thereof, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) nor more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) per day of violation.

(2) In determining the amount of penalty under this section, the following shall be considered at a minimum:

(a) The willfulness of the violation;

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

(c) Costs of restoration or abatement;

(d) Economic benefit as a result of noncompliance;

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

(f) Past performance history.

(3) All fines collected by the commission under this section shall be deposited into the Pollution Emergency Fund established under Section 49-17-68, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 19-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-1
Status: in_force

(1) There shall be a State Forestry Commission composed of ten (10) members, who shall be qualified electors of the state. The Dean of the School of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University shall be an ex officio member of the commission, with full voting authority. The Governor shall appoint eight (8) members, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of six (6) years. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member from each congressional district as constituted at the time the appointments are made and shall appoint the remainder of the members from the state at large. A member from a congressional district must be a certified tree farmer who owns eighty (80) or more acres of forest land or a person who derives a major portion of his or her personal income from forest-related business, industry or other related activities. Members of the commission from the state at large may or may not possess the same qualifications as members appointed from the congressional districts.

(2) The members of the commission shall receive no annual salary but each member of the commission shall receive a per diem plus expenses and mileage as authorized by law for each day devoted to the discharge of official duties. No member of the commission shall receive total per diem in excess of twenty-four (24) days' compensation per annum.

(3) If a vacancy occurs in the office of an appointed member of the commission, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.

(4) The commission shall elect from its membership a chair, who shall preside over meetings, and a vice chair, who shall preside in the absence of the chair or when the chair is excused.

(5) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations governing times and places for meetings, and governing the manner of conducting its business. Each member of the commission shall take the oath prescribed by Section 268 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890 and shall enter into a bond in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to be approved by the Secretary of State, conditioned according to law and payable to the State of Mississippi before assuming the duties of office.

(6) Any appointment made to the commission contrary to this section shall be void, and it is unlawful for the State Fiscal Officer to pay any per diem or authorize the expenses of the appointee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-34 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-34
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-34
Status: in_force

(1) The Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall not prohibit the operation of a hunting enclosure for hunting or pursuing rabbit, fox or coyote, but the commission may prescribe regulations and require a permit for the operation of such hunting enclosures. Application for the permit shall be submitted to the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. The department shall inspect and approve such hunting enclosure before issuing a permit. The permit fee shall be a reasonable amount, to be determined by the commission.

(2) Such hunting enclosure shall consist of an area fully enclosed by a fence. Such fence shall be constructed in such a manner as may be prescribed by the commission.

(3) A person who violates this section or any regulation pertaining to hunting enclosures is guilty of a Class II violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143, Mississippi Code of 1972 , and may, at the discretion of the commission, have his permit revoked for a period of twelve (12) months. A second or subsequent violation shall be punished by the maximum allowable fine as provided in Section 49-7-143 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 26-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-26-3
Status: in_force

The Legislature finds that channel maintenance is necessary to preserve and enhance the economic stability and recreational potential of the coastal region. The Legislature declares it to be a governmental responsibility to provide for proper channel maintenance. The Legislature further declares that channel maintenance projects are in the public interest. Those projects should be funded to promote the use of cost-efficient strategies, encourage coordination among federal, state and local governments and the private sector, provide for long-term solutions and minimize the impact of the environment to the extent possible.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 15-71
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-71
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any boat or vessel carrying or using a purse seine to have on board such boat or vessel any quantity of redfish within the territorial jurisdiction of the State of Mississippi.

(2) It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to catch, take or land redfish below minimum legal size as established by regulations promulgated by the commission and in accordance with the Red Drum Fishery Management Plan. The department shall develop a redfish management plan and the commission shall promulgate regulations to implement the plan after conducting a public hearing relating to the plan and regulations. Beginning on July 1, 1998, and every four (4) years thereafter, the commission shall review the plan and regulations promulgated under the plan, and upon a determination that revisions are appropriate, the commission shall amend the plan or regulations, or both, in a manner to effectuate the desired changes.

(3) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined in the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each redfish possessed in violation of this section. All nets used in violating this section are hereby declared contraband and shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. 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. It shall be the duty of the court to order the forfeiture of any nets used in violating the provisions of this section. The fine imposed upon a person convicted under this section shall not be suspended or reduced. The master and owner of any vessel upon which redfish is possessed in violation of this section shall be jointly and severally liable for the penalty imposed herein.

(4) For the purposes of this section, the term “redfish” means red drum or sciaenops ocellatus.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-25 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 49-33-11 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 19 / Section 33-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-11
Status: in_force

The state shall not make a waiver of the provisions of this chapter a condition for approval of the use or continued use of real property or the issuance of any permit or other entitlement. The acceptance by an owner of any approval of use, continued use, permit or other entitlement shall not constitute a waiver of the rights of the owner to compensation for inverse condemnation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-39 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 25 / Section 27-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-39
Status: in_force

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

(b) If the court finds that the order appealed from is supported by substantial evidence, consistent with the public policy set forth in this chapter, is not arbitrary or capricious and does not violate constitutional rights, it shall affirm the council's order.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 39-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-3
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

(ii) Protection of wildlife habitat;

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

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

(v) Support of economic development through conservation projects;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(h) “ Working agricultural land ” means land area that is either arable, under permanent crops or under permanent pastures. Arable land includes land under temporary crops such as cereals, temporary meadows for mowing or for pasture, land under market or kitchen gardens, and land temporarily fallow.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-518 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-518
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-518
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(d) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-513 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-513
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-513
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(c) Demonstrate to the satisfaction of the commission that the applicant is familiar with and capable of complying fully with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-433 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 17-433
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-433
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 are severable. If any part of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433 is declared invalid or unconstitutional, such declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-701 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-701
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-701
Status: in_force

Sections 49-17-701 through 49-17-775 shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Gulf Coast Region Utility Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 17-81
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-81
Status: in_force

Sections 49-17-81 through 49-17-89 shall be known and cited as the “Mississippi Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and Emergency Loan Fund Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-31.5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-31.5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-31.5
Status: in_force

(1) The hunting, trapping and taking of nuisance animals shall be regulated by the commission. The commission may adopt regulations to regulate the hunting, trapping and taking of nuisance animals and to control the population of nuisance animals.

(2)(a) Landowners, agricultural leaseholders or their designated agents may take predatory and nuisance animals year-round on lands owned or leased by them.

(b) Landowners, agricultural leaseholders or their designated agents may take nuisance animals with any type of weapon and may take nuisance animals during the night after legal hunting hours on lands owned or leased by them with a permit issued by the department.

(c) No license is required for a resident landowner hunting or trapping nuisance animals on his own land. An agricultural leaseholder, designated agent and any other person must possess either an all-game hunting license or trapping license, unless otherwise exempt.

(d) No license is required for a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat, to hunt nuisance animals on private lands. Persons exempt from purchasing a hunting license under this paragraph shall have in their possession and on their person a copy of their DD-214 discharge form indicating the receipt of the Purple Heart Medal and any proof as may be required by the commission or the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, while engaged in such activities.

(3) The taking of any animal or animals other than nuisance animals by the use of a trap or traps is unlawful except during the time the season is open for the taking of fur-bearing animals.

(4) Nuisance animals may be run, chased or pursued with dogs, except as provided in Section 49-7-32 , year-round by licensed hunters.

(5) Nuisance animals may be hunted with the aid of electronic calls.

(6) Nuisance animals may be hunted or trapped with the aid of bait and lures, on private lands, according to regulations adopted by the commission.

(7) Any part of a nuisance animal may be bought and sold year-round.

(8)(a) Wild hogs may not be caught or trapped and released into the wild at a location different from the location where the wild hog was caught or trapped, or otherwise transported live in the State of Mississippi.

(b) A violation of this subsection is a Class I violation and is punishable as provided under Section 49-7-141 .

(9) When hunting wild hogs during any open gun season on deer, a hunter must wear in full view at least five hundred (500) square inches of solid unbroken fluorescent orange or solid unbroken fluorescent pink.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-151 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-151
Status: in_force

Recognizing the inestimable importance to the state and its citizens of conserving the wildlife resources of Mississippi and recognizing the desires of many citizens who wish to make a lifetime contribution to preserve our rich legacy of wildlife resources for future generations, it is the intention of the Legislature to create a lifetime sportsman license and the Mississippi Wildlife Endowment Fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-68 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / 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. § 49-7-31.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-31.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-31.1
Status: in_force

(1) When hunting deer during any firearm season on deer, every hunter, whether hunting with a firearm, bow and arrow or any other weapon, must wear in full view at least five hundred (500) square inches of solid unbroken fluorescent orange or solid unbroken fluorescent pink, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(2) Hunters shall not be required to wear the five hundred (500) square inches of solid unbroken fluorescent orange or solid unbroken fluorescent pink required under subsection (1) of this section when:

(a) Hunting from a deer stand that is elevated twelve (12) feet or more above the ground; or

(b) Hunting in a fully enclosed blind.

(3) A violation of this section is a Class III violation and is punishable as provided in Section 49-7-101 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / 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. § 49-35-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 35-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-19
Status: in_force

(1) Any land-use restriction or engineering control in a brownfield agreement and in a notice of brownfield agreement site filed under this section may be enforced by:

(a) Any current owner of the brownfield agreement site;

(b) The commission, by initiating an administrative proceeding or by filing a civil action, without first having exhausted all available administrative remedies;

(c) Any local government having jurisdiction over any part of the brownfield agreement site by filing a civil action, without the local government having first exhausted all available administrative remedies; or

(d) Any person provided liability protection under this article who will lose liability protection if the land-use restriction or engineering control is violated.

(2) Adjacent property owners may enforce any land-use restriction contained in a brownfield agreement or in a notice of brownfield agreement site filed under this section.

(3) A land-use restriction or engineering control shall not be declared unenforceable due to lack of privity of estate or contract, due to lack of benefit to particular land, or due to lack of any property interest in particular brownfield property within the brownfield agreement site. Any person who owns or leases brownfield property within the brownfield agreement site subject to a land-use restriction or engineering control under this section shall abide by the land-use restriction or engineering control.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-429 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-429
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-429
Status: in_force

No person may install, alter or remove an underground storage tank after July 1, 1990, without first having been certified by the Commission on Natural Resources. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations setting forth the requirements for such certification which shall include but not be limited to a certification examination.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-86 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / 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. § 49-28-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 49-25-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 49-27-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 27 / Section 27-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-35
Status: in_force

The commission shall state, upon its record, its findings and reasons for all actions taken pursuant to Sections 49-27-23 through 49-27-37 . When a permit is granted or modified, the commission shall describe the public interest to be served by granting or modifying the permit. When a permit or modification is denied, the commission shall describe the public interest which would be adversely affected by granting or modifying the permit.