Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 35-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-15
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(6) Upon completion of the brownfield agreement, the brownfield party may petition the commission to determine that the performance of the brownfield agreement has been completed. If the commission determines after conducting an inspection of the brownfield agreement site that the brownfield party has completed the brownfield agreement, the commission shall issue an order. Following issuance of an order by the commission, the executive director shall issue a “no further action” letter. The letter shall include the following statement: “Based upon the information provided by (brownfield agreement party) concerning property located at (location), it is the opinion of the Commission on Environmental Quality that (brownfield agreement party) has successfully and satisfactorily implemented and completed the approved brownfield agreement. No further action is required to assure that the remediation required under the brownfield agreement is protective of public health and the environment in accordance with the existing and proposed uses of this property.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-96 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-96
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-96
Status: in_force

Vessels licensed under Section 49-15-64.5 may keep in whole, for personal consumption only the following types of fish which are caught in the shrimp nets or trawls of the vessel: white trout; croaker, black drum, and ground mullet (Family Sciaenidae); sheepshead (Family Sparidae); gafftopsail catfish (Family Ariidae); and flounder (Family Bothidae and Family Pleuronectidae ). The cumulative total of fish shall not exceed twenty-five (25) pounds. In addition, a vessel may keep three (3) dozen blue crabs (portunidae family). This exemption for personal consumption does not apply to fish or crabs that are otherwise illegal to possess or catch.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-35
Status: in_force

Any interested person shall have the right to request the commission to call a hearing for the purpose of taking action in respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the commission by making a request therefor in writing. Upon receipt of any such request, the commission shall conduct such investigations as it deems necessary and may call a special hearing or may schedule such matter for its next regular meeting or hearing day, and after such hearings and with all convenient speed and in any event within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of such hearing shall take such action on the subject matter thereof as it may deem appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-107 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-107
Status: in_force

The principal, interest and premium, if any, on any bonds shall be secured by a pledge of the revenues payable to the municipality, as the case may be, pursuant to either of the agreements specified in subsections (d) and (e) of Section 49-17-103 and may also, in the case of an agreement under subsection (e) of Section 49-17-103 , be secured by a lien which may be subordinate to a prior lien on any other property given as security by the industry pursuant to the lease/sale and any bonds may be issued pursuant to and secured by a trust indenture. The proceedings under which bonds are authorized to be issued or any such trust indenture may contain any agreements and provisions customarily contained in instruments securing bonds, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, provisions respecting the fixing and collection of the sums payable by the industry to the municipality and/or the trustee, if any, as the case may be, pursuant to the lease/sale, the maintenance and insurance of the pollution control facilities, the creation and maintenance of special funds by the industry, and the rights and remedies available in the event of default to the bondholders or to the trustee under such trust indenture, all as the governing board shall deem advisable. Provided, however, that in making any such agreements or provisions no municipality shall have the power to obligate itself except with respect to any security pledged, mortgaged or otherwise made available by the industry for the securing of the bonds, and the application of the revenues from the agreement, made under either subsections (d) or (e) of Section 49-17-103 and shall not have the power to incur a pecuniary liability or a charge upon its general credit or against its taxing powers. The proceedings authorizing any bonds hereunder and any trust indenture securing such bonds may provide that in the event of default in payment of the principal of or the interest on such bonds or in the performance of any agreement contained in such proceedings or trust indenture, such payment and performance may be enforced by mandamus or by the appointment of a receiver in equity with such powers as may be necessary to enforce the obligations thereof. No breach of any such agreement shall impose any pecuniary liability upon any municipality, or any charge upon its general credit or against its taxing power.

The trustee or trustees under any trust indenture, or any depository specified by such trust indenture, may be such persons or corporations as the governing board shall designate, notwithstanding that they may be nonresidents of Mississippi or incorporated under the laws of the United States or the laws of other states of the United States.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-325 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-325
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-325
Status: in_force

(1) The commission is authorized to suspend any license issued to any person under this chapter for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153 . The procedure for suspension of a license for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a license suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 , as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 , as the case may be, shall control.

(2) If a person does not comply with a summons or a citation or does not pay a fine, fee or assessment for violating a seafood law or regulation, the commission may revoke the applicable license of that person. When a person does not comply or fails to pay, the clerk of the court shall notify the person in writing by first-class mail that if the person does not comply or pay within ten (10) days from the date of mailing, the court will notify the commission and the commission will revoke the license of that person. The cost of notice may be added to other court costs. If the person does not comply or pay as required, the court clerk shall immediately mail a copy of the court record and a copy of the notice to the commission. After receiving notice from the court, the commission shall revoke the applicable license of that person.

(3) A person whose license has been revoked under subsection (2) of this section shall remain revoked until the person can show proof that all obligations of the court have been met.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 15-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-27
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Experience in oyster reef development;

(ii) Experience in oyster cultivation and harvesting;

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

(iv) Amount of acreage to be leased; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(14) In order to protect the health and safety of the residents of the State of Mississippi, the terms and conditions relating to the leasing of bottoms provided in this section shall be fully applicable to any lease executed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources prior to April 17, 2023, and the department shall revise any lease issued prior to April 17, 2023, as necessary in order to comply with the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-4 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-4
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-4
Status: in_force

(1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, to be composed of five (5) persons appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five (5) years. One (1) person shall be appointed from each congressional district. The initial terms of the members shall be one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4) and five (5) years, respectively. Thereafter, all terms shall be for five (5) years. An appointment to fill a vacancy which arises for reasons other than by expiration of a term of office shall be made from the respective congressional district for the unexpired term only.

The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, created by former Section 49-4-4, is continued and reconstituted as follows: Effective January 1, 2028, one (1) appointed member shall be from each Supreme Court District as they exist at the time of appointment, and two (2) from the state at large. Effective January 1, 2028, the appointed members of the commission designated in this section, shall be appointed by the Governor to terms of office of four (4) years, with the advice and consent of the Senate, provided that three (3) such members shall be appointed in 2028 to a term ending December 31, 2031, and two (2) such members shall be appointed in 2030 to a term ending December 31, 2033. Appointments made at the beginning of the four-year cycle shall be made to fill any member's term which actually expires that year and any member's term which expires next until the majority of the membership of the board or commission is reached. Appointments made at the beginning of the third year of the four-year cycle shall be made for the remainder of the membership positions irrespective of the time of their prior appointment. Any question regarding the order of appointments shall be determined by the Secretary of State in accordance with the specific statute. All appointment procedures, vacancy provisions, interim appointment provisions and removal provisions specifically provided for in Section 7-1-35, Mississippi Code of 1972 , shall be fully applicable to appointments to the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

(2) The commission shall elect from its membership a chairman who shall preside over meetings and a vice chairman who shall preside in the absence of the chairman or when the chairman shall be excused.

(3) 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 , and shall enter into 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. Any member who shall not attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the commission shall be subject to removal by a majority vote of the commission members.

(4) The members of the commission shall receive no annual salary but shall receive per diem compensation as authorized by law for each day devoted to the discharge of official duties and shall be entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties, including mileage as authorized by law.

The commission shall be composed of persons with a demonstrated history of involvement in at least one (1) of the matters of jurisdiction of the commission and whose employment and activities are not in conflict. All of the commissioners shall be an active outdoorsman holding a resident hunting or fishing license in at least five (5) of the ten (10) years preceding appointment. A member shall not have a record of conviction of violation of fish or game laws and regulations within five (5) years preceding appointment or a record of any felony conviction.

(5) The commission shall have the power to adopt, amend and repeal such regulations and rules as may be necessary for the operation of the department.

(6) The commission shall have the power and authority to issue all licenses and permits under the jurisdiction of the department.

(7) In the furtherance of its duties and responsibilities, the commission may conduct hearings, gather testimony and perform other functions required to carry out its powers and duties as prescribed by statute.

(8) The commission shall have all power for conserving, managing and developing wildlife and fishery resources except for saltwater aquatic life and marine resources under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-101 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-101
Status: in_force

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

The contracting states solemnly agree:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

․․$ 3,600.00

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

․․․․1,000.00

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

․․․․1,000.00

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

․․․․5,000.00

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

․․․․2,500.00

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

․․$13,100.00

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

This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each compacting state until renounced by act of the legislature of such state, in such form as it may choose; provided that such renunciation shall not become effective until six (6) months after the effective date of the action taken by the legislature. Notice of such renunciation shall be given the other states party hereto by the secretary of state of compacting state so renouncing upon passage of the act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 8 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-33-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Activity Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-23 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 28 / Section 28-23
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-23
Status: in_force

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

(2) If provided in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds and agreed to by resolution of the board of supervisors authorizing the board of commissioners of the district to make a pledge, then when there are insufficient revenues received from special assessments authorized under Section 49-28-29 and the avails of the ad valorem tax levy authorized under Section 49-28-27 , or from both together, according to the provisions made in the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds, to meet the interest or principal payments, or both, when due on any bonds issued under this chapter (excluding for this purpose any amounts in a reserve fund for those bonds), then, upon certification of that fact by the board of commissioners of the district to the board of supervisors, the board of supervisors shall levy an ad valorem tax on all taxable property within the geographical limits of the district. The avails of the tax, together with any other monies available for that purpose, shall be sufficient to provide for the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds as the principal and interest falls due. If provided in the proceedings for the issuance of the bonds, the avails of the tax may also be used to replenish any reserve fund established for the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-87 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-87
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4) Loans or any bonds or other evidences of indebtedness which are incurred or issued either pursuant to this chapter or Section 31-25-1 et seq. , in relation to this chapter, or pursuant to any other law as evidence of any loan made or indebtedness incurred pursuant to this chapter, shall not be deemed indebtedness within the meaning specified in Section 21-33-303 , with regard to cities or incorporated towns, in Section 19-9-5 , with regard to counties, and in any other state law establishing a similar indebtedness limitation with regard to political subdivisions other than cities, incorporated towns and counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-64.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-64.1
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

(4) The redesignation of beacon numbers by the United States Coast Guard shall not alter the description of the boundary described in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-147 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 7-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-147
Status: in_force

(1) No person shall intentionally:

(a) Interfere with or attempt to prevent the lawful taking of wildlife by another;

(b) Attempt to disturb wildlife, or attempt to affect their behavior with the intent to prevent their lawful taking by another; or

(c) Harass another person who is engaged in the lawful taking of wildlife or in the preparation for such taking.

(2) Any person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a Class II violation, punishable as provided in Section 49-7-143, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-18 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-18
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-18
Status: in_force

The executive director of the department shall publish an abstract copy of this chapter and all subsequent amendments to this chapter and all rules and regulations promulgated by the department under this chapter. The department may distribute the publication to all persons requesting a copy and to each licensee at the time of issuance of the license. New regulations and amendments to this chapter may be supplied to each licensee within a reasonable time after their promulgation or passage. The department may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed actual cost for its publications.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 18-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-18-3
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter the term:

(a) “Damages” means damages of any kind for which liability may exist under the laws of this state resulting from, arising out of, or related to the discharge or threatened discharge of oil;

(b) “Discharge” means any emission (other than natural seepage), intentional or unintentional, and includes, but is not limited to, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping;

(c) “Federal on-scene coordinator” means the federal official predesignated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U.S. Coast Guard to coordinate and direct federal responses under subpart D, or the official designated by the lead agency to coordinate and direct removal under subpart E, of the National Contingency Plan;

(d) “National Contingency Plan” means the National Contingency Plan prepared and published under Section 311(d) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1321(d) ), as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Pub.L. No. 101-380, 104 Stat. 484 (1990) ;

(e) “Oil” means oil of any kind or in any form, including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel oil, sludge, oil refuse and oil mixed with wastes other than dredged spoil; but does not include petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, which is specifically listed or designated as a hazardous substance under subparagraphs (A) through (F) of Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9601 ) and which is subject to the provisions of that act;

(f) “Person” means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, state, municipality, commission, or political subdivision of a state, or any interstate body;

(g) “Removal costs” means the costs of removal that are incurred after a discharge of oil has occurred or, in any case in which there is a substantial threat of a discharge of oil, the costs to prevent, minimize or mitigate oil pollution from such an incident;

(h) “Responsible party” means a responsible party as defined under Section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, Pub.L. No. 101-380, 104 Stat. 484 (1990).
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 4-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-1
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature to conserve, manage, develop and protect our natural resources and wildlife for the benefit of this and succeeding generations by reorganizing the natural resource and wildlife conservation functions of state government into the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks thereby providing more effective organizations through which the methods of conserving, managing, developing and protecting our natural resources and wildlife can be analyzed, coordinated and implemented.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 27-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-5
Status: in_force

(a) “ Coastal wetlands ” means all publicly-owned lands subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; which are below the ordinary high water mark; all publicly-owned accretions above the ordinary high water mark and all publicly-owned submerged water-bottoms below the ordinary high water mark and includes the flora and fauna on the wetlands and in the wetlands.

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

(c) “ Regulated activity ” means any of the following activities:

(i) The dredging, excavating or removing of soil, mud, sand, gravel, flora, fauna or aggregate of any kind from any coastal wetland;

(ii) The dumping, filling or depositing of any soil, stones, sand, gravel, mud, aggregate of any kind or garbage, either directly or indirectly, on or in any coastal wetlands;

(iii) Killing or materially damaging any flora or fauna on or in any coastal wetland;

(iv) The erection on coastal wetlands of structures which materially affect the ebb and flow of the tide; and

(v) The erection of any structure or structures on suitable sites for water dependent industry.

(d) “ Dredging ” means the removal or displacement by any means of soil, sand, gravel, shells or other material, whether of intrinsic value or not, from coastal wetlands.

(e) “ Executive director ” means the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources.

(f) “ Filling ” means either the displacement of waters by the deposition into coastal wetlands of soil, sand, gravel, shells or other material; or the artificial alteration of water levels or water currents by physical structures, drainage ditches or otherwise.

(g) “ Person ” means any natural person, partnership, joint stock company, corporation, unincorporated association or society, or the state and any agency thereof, or any county, municipality or political subdivision, or any other corporation of any character whatsoever.

(h) “ Commission ” means the Mississippi Advisory Commission on Marine Resources.

(i) “ Water dependent industry ” means those commercial, industrial or manufacturing activities which, for purposes basic to their existence must occur or locate on or adjacent to the estuaries, sounds, channels, shores or marshlands of the coast. “ Suitable sites for water dependent industry ” means those areas of land which are suitable for the development of water dependent industry because of their proximity to waters of navigable depth, size and configuration, topography, soil conditions and access to other means of transportation. After consultation with local governments, port authorities, development commissions, port and harbor commissions and other interested parties, and after full consideration of zoning ordinances duly adopted by local governments, the department shall designate those sites it deems suitable for water dependent industry. The definition of “suitable sites for water dependent industry” shall be limited to, but not necessarily inclusive of, waterfront sites owned by county port authorities, development commissions and port and harbor commissions, and to areas that are now or are later made to be within one thousand (1,000) feet of the centerline of any natural or maintained channel having a depth of seven (7) feet or greater at mean low water. However, additional sites may be included in the definition of suitable sites for water dependent industry with the concurrence of the board of supervisors in the county affected.

(j) “ Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) ” means a mark on the shore determined by the department staff, established by fluctuations in water level and indicated by physical and biological characteristics including, but not limited to, water stains, changes in the character of the soil, scour lines, presence of debris lines, changes in plant communities and other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding area. The determination of OHWM shall not be made by the department staff during high tide where the above referenced characteristics are not observable. OHWM is not the same as mean high water and shall not be used for determination of the boundary between private property and public trust tidelands or for any purpose other than regulated activity as defined in this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / 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. § 49-19-205 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / 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. § 49-15-19 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-19
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-19
Status: in_force

The Attorney General shall be counsel and attorney for the commission and department and shall provide legal services as may be requested. The executive director is authorized to employ legal counsel, after consultation with the Attorney General, as may be necessary or appropriate for the operation of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 11-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-11-3
Status: in_force

(1) The department may issue operating licenses to any person, partnership, association or corporation for the operation of shooting preserves or commercial wildlife enclosures that meet the following requirements and any applicable regulations:

(a) Each shooting preserve shall contain a minimum of one hundred (100) acres in one (1) tract of leased or owned land (including water area, if any) and shall be restricted to not more than six hundred forty (640) contiguous acres (including water area, if any), except that preserves confined to the releasing of ducks only may be authorized to operate with a minimum of fifty (50) contiguous acres (including water area).

(b) The boundaries of each shooting preserve shall be clearly defined and posted with signs erected at intervals of three hundred (300) feet or less.

(c) Each commercial wildlife enclosure shall contain a minimum of three hundred (300) acres in one (1) tract of leased or owned land (including water area, if any). No commercial wildlife enclosure shall be constructed in such a manner as to allow ingress of native wild animals without providing means of egress.

(d) The preserve or enclosure must be privately owned and operated.

(2) The commission may issue any rules or regulations necessary to regulate shooting preserves and commercial wildlife enclosures and to enforce this chapter.

(3) The commission may regulate the hunting of nonnative cervids within a commercial wildlife enclosure, and the department may enter such enclosure as provided under Section 49-11-25 and enforce such regulations.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-147 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 19-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-147
Status: in_force

The compact administrator, with the assistance of the advisory committee, shall be authorized to do any and all things necessary in order to effectuate the terms and provisions of the compact contained herein, and Sections 49-19-141 through 49-19-149 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of interstate cooperation in fire control for the mutual benefit of the states participating therein. Among the powers conferred upon the compact administrator, but not limiting his powers thereto, shall be that of formulating and, in accordance with need, from time to time, revising a regional forest fire plan for the member states. It shall be the duty of the compact administrator of Mississippi in cooperation with those compact administrators in the member states to formulate and put in effect a forest fire plan for Mississippi and take such measures as may be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-27 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 11 / Section 15-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-15-27
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

(i) Experience in oyster reef development;

(ii) Experience in oyster cultivation and harvesting;

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

(iv) Amount of acreage to be leased; and

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(14) In order to protect the health and safety of the residents of the State of Mississippi, the terms and conditions relating to the leasing of bottoms provided in this section shall be fully applicable to any lease executed by the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources prior to April 17, 2023, and the department shall revise any lease issued prior to April 17, 2023, as necessary in order to comply with the provisions of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 27-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-3
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the public policy of this state to favor the preservation of the natural state of the coastal wetlands and their ecosystems and to prevent the despoliation and destruction of them, except where a specific alteration of specific coastal wetlands would serve a higher public interest in compliance with the public purposes of the public trust in which coastal wetlands are held.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-3 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-4-3
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context otherwise requires:

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

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

(c) “Executive director” means the chief officer of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-63 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 27-63
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-63
Status: in_force

The commission shall, from time to time, inspect the coastal wetlands to determine whether violations have been or are being committed. The commission or any authorized employee of the Department of Marine Resources may enter at reasonable times upon any private or public property in the performance of duty to enforce the Coastal Wetlands Protection Act.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 17 / Section 31-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-31-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Mississippi Multimedia Pollution Prevention Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-79 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-7-79
Status: in_force

(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly enter the lands of another without the permission of, or without being accompanied by, the landowner or the lessee of the land, or the agent of such landowner or lessee, to hunt, fish, shoot, or trap on the lands or leases of another.

(2) Any person convicted of violating subsection (1) of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be punished for the first offense by a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00). Upon conviction of any person for a second or subsequent offense, with the offenses being committed within five (5) years of the last offense, such person shall be punished by a fine of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), nor more than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00).

(3) Any person convicted of a second or subsequent offense under subsection (1) of this section, the offenses being committed within a five-year period, shall also forfeit all hunting, trapping, and fishing privileges for a period of one-year. Such person shall pay a reinstatement fee of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) to have his or her privileges restored.

(4) Any animal, bird, fish, or parts thereof, that have been unlawfully taken or possessed in violation of subsection (1) of this section shall be seized by a law enforcement officer and disposed of by the department, or under its direction.

(5) In addition to any fine or penalty assessed due to a violation of this section, a person convicted of violating subsection (1) of this section shall also pay restitution to the landowner of not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00), for each animal, bird, fish, or parts thereof, taken or possessed in violation of this section. The total amount of restitution authorized by this paragraph shall be paid to the landowner; and shall not exceed an aggregate total of One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00) regardless of the number of animals unlawfully taken or possessed in violation of this section.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / 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. § 49-39-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 39-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-39-7
Status: in_force

(1)(a) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated the “Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund.” The special fund shall consist of monies appropriated by the Legislature. Monies shall be accounted for in such a manner to be termed unobligated funds or obligated funds. Unexpended amounts remaining in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any investment earnings or interest earned on amounts in the special fund shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund; however, any unobligated monies in excess of Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00), excluding federal funds, remaining in the special fund at the end of a fiscal year that have not been appropriated shall lapse into the State General Fund. Monies in the special fund may be used upon selection by the board. The board and the Department of Finance and Administration may use not more than two percent (2%) of monies in the special fund to defray the board's expenses in carrying out its duties under this chapter.

(b) Subject to the provisions of this chapter, monies in the special fund may be used and expended by the board to provide funds for grants to counties, municipalities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities for:

(i) Improvement of state park outdoor recreation features and trails;

(ii) Acquisition and improvement of parks and trails by counties and municipalities, if such parks and trails lie within the jurisdiction of such counties and municipalities;

(iii) Restoration or enhancement projects to create or improve access to public waters and lands for public outdoor recreation, conservation education, or the safe use and enjoyment of permanently protected conservation land;

(iv) Restoration or enhancement on privately owned working agricultural lands and forests that support conservation of soil, water, habitat of fish and wildlife resources;

(v) Restoration or enhancement of wetlands, native forests, native grasslands and other unique habitats important for Mississippi's fish and wildlife; and

(vi) Acquisition of critical areas for the provision or protection of clean water, wildlife, hunting, fishing, military installation buffering or natural resource-based outdoor recreation. Real property may only be acquired under this subparagraph (vi) when the property:

1. Is, at the time of acquisition, being leased by the state as a wildlife management area;

2. Adjoins or is in close proximity to state or federal wildlife management areas or state parks, or would provide better public access to such areas;

3. Is identified in a wildlife action plan developed by a state agency;

4. Constitutes riparian lands, and its acquisition is for the purpose of protecting any drinking water supply; or

5. Surrounds a military base or military installation.

Acquisition of land under this subparagraph (vi) may not be made through the exercise of any power of eminent domain or any condemnation proceeding.

(c) Unless otherwise authorized by the board, a county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity receiving funds for a project under this section must expend the funds for the project within two (2) years after receipt of the funds in order to be eligible to apply for additional funds for the project under this section. If a county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity receiving funds for a project does not expend the funds within two (2) years after receipt of the funds, then the county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity must provide an accounting of such unused funds and the reason for failure to expend the funds. If the board determines that the project will not be completed in a timely manner, the county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity must then return any unexpended funds.

(d) Monies in the special fund may not be used, expended or transferred for any other purpose other than authorized in this chapter.

(e) Any state agency receiving funds from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund under this section may escalate its budget and expend such funds in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Finance and Administration in a manner consistent with the escalation of federal funds.

(2)(a) The board shall accept applications from counties, municipalities, state agencies and nongovernmental entities for project proposals eligible for funding under this section. The board shall evaluate the proposals received in accordance with this chapter.

(b) A county, municipality, state agency or nongovernmental entity desiring assistance under this section must submit a complete application to the board. The application must include a description of the purpose for which assistance is requested, the type and amount of assistance requested and any other information required by the board.

(c) The board shall require annual independent audits of all expenditures from the special fund and present those findings to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees and Chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees.

(d) To be eligible for funding, any nongovernmental entity applicant must submit its most recent audit, disclose any audit deficiencies in the previous five (5) years, submit its certificate of good standing from the Mississippi Secretary of State, and submit a current list of its board members for purposes of conflicts of interest.

(e) For funds to be spent on private land, the applicant must show demonstrably that the project will benefit the public.

(f) Projects that acquire property shall not be considered for approval until after July 1, 2024.

(3) The board, at its first meeting of each calendar year, shall prepare a list of priorities and criteria to guide the selection of projects. The board shall give increased priority to projects:

(a) Supporting the public recreation and conservation efforts of state agencies, counties and municipalities;

(b) Leveraging or matching other nonfederal or federal funds available for similar purposes;

(c) Supporting and promoting recreation in the form of archery, boating, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, running, jogging, biking, walking, shooting or similar outdoor activities;

(d) Contributing to the improvement of the quality and quantity of surface water and groundwater; or

(e) Contributing to the conservation of soil, water, and fish and wildlife resources on privately owned working agricultural lands or forests.

(4) Upon approval of the total list of projects by the board, the list of projects shall be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees and Chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees. If federal funds or guidelines become available and are certified by the Executive Director of the Department of Finance and Administration or the Executive Director of the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Fund, the board shall be authorized to expend funds from the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and shall notify the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairs of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, Chairs of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees, Chairs of the Senate and House Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Committees, and Legislative Budget Office of such expenditures prior to their distribution to certain projects approved by the board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-70 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 17-70
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-70
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 shall be delivered to and filed with the Mississippi State Tax Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 49-19-307 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 9 / Section 19-307
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-307
Status: in_force

(1) No property owner or his agent, conducting a prescribed burn pursuant to the requirements of this section, shall be liable for damage or injury caused by fire or resulting smoke unless negligence is proven.

(2) Prescribed burning conducted under the provisions of this section shall:

(a) Be accomplished only when at least one (1) certified prescribed burn manager is supervising the burn or burns that are being conducted;

(b) Require that a written prescription be prepared and notarized prior to prescribed burning;

(c) Require that a burning permit be obtained from the Mississippi Forestry Commission; and

(d) Be considered in the public interest and shall not constitute a public or private nuisance when conducted pursuant to state air pollution statutes and rules applicable to prescribed burning.

(3) The Mississippi Forestry Commission shall have the authority to promulgate rules for the certification of prescribed burn managers and guidelines for a prescribed burn prescription.

(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the civil or criminal liability as provided in Section 97-17-13 and Section 95-5-25, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / Section 17-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-35
Status: in_force

Any interested person shall have the right to request the commission to call a hearing for the purpose of taking action in respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the commission by making a request therefor in writing. Upon receipt of any such request, the commission shall conduct such investigations as it deems necessary and may call a special hearing or may schedule such matter for its next regular meeting or hearing day, and after such hearings and with all convenient speed and in any event within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of such hearing shall take such action on the subject matter thereof as it may deem appropriate.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-35 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 15 / 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. § 49-17-77 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 7 / Section 17-77
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-77
Status: in_force

The three (3) commissioners from the State of Mississippi shall be authorized to do any and all things necessary in order to effectuate the terms and provisions of the compact contained herein and Sections 49-17-71 through 49-17-77 shall be entitled to a liberal interpretation in order to carry out the spirit and intent of the aforesaid compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-521 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / Section 17-521
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-521
Status: in_force

(1) After August 31, 1998, it is unlawful for any firm which does not possess a valid lead-based paint certified firm certificate to perform or offer to perform any lead-based paint activity covered under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 . Certificates issued prior to July 1, 2009, shall be valid only for abatements. Certificates issued after July 1, 2009, shall indicate whether the firm is certified for renovations or abatements; or certified for both renovations and abatements.

(2) To qualify for a lead-based paint certified firm certificate, an applicant shall submit to the commission a letter attesting that the firm shall employ only appropriately certified employees to conduct lead-based paint activities and that the firm and its employees shall follow the work practice standards adopted under Sections 49-17-501 through 49-17-531 in conducting those activities. Applicant's letter submitted after July 1, 2009, shall indicate whether the applicant intends to perform renovations or abatements; or to perform both renovations and abatements.

(3) Applicants for lead-based paint certified firm certificate shall pay the applicable fee.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 17-503
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-503
Status: in_force

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

The word “fish” as appears in this chapter shall mean “fresh water fish”. The provisions of this chapter shall not amend, repeal or diminish the authority heretofore vested in the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources or the work and function of the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-223 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 19-223
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-19-223
Status: in_force

(1) Any eligible owner who wishes to receive cost-share assistance shall file an application with the commission stating the practice to be implemented, the approximate cost of such practice and a description of the land or lands upon which the practice is to be implemented. The application shall be accompanied by a statement of intent stating (a) that the owner intends to utilize the cost-share assistance for long range timber growing and improvement, (b) that the owner is not receiving or using federal funds for implementation of any approved practice on the same acre of land or lands described in the application, and (c) that the owner if an owner in joint tenancy or tenancy in common or if a member of a group or association owning the lands, has no knowledge of any application which has been filed for cost-share assistance to be used on the lands described in the application.

(2) The commission, upon completion of the approved practice, shall tender all approved sums of the cost-share assistance to the owner.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-733 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 2 / Section 17-733
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-733
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(4) In addition to any other powers and rights conferred upon such board of directors, the board is granted and may exercise all powers and rights granted pursuant to Sections 49-17-739 through 49-17-773 to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-13 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 35 / Section 35-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-13
Status: in_force

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

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

(3) This section shall not create a defense against the imposition of criminal or civil penalties or other administrative remedies authorized by law for violations of law caused by the brownfield party while implementing or failing to implement the brownfield agreement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-757 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 4 / Section 17-757
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-757
Status: in_force

(1) Refunding bonds . The county authority may, by resolution adopted by its board of directors, issue refunding bonds for the purpose of paying any of its bonds at or prior to maturity or upon acceleration or redemption. Refunding bonds may be issued at such time prior to the maturity or redemption of the refunded bonds as the board of directors deems to be in the public interest, without an election on the question of the issuance thereof. The refunding bonds may be issued in sufficient amounts to pay or provide the principal of the bonds being refunded, together with any redemption premium thereon, any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of payment of such bonds, the expenses of issue of the refunding bonds, the expenses of redeeming the bonds being refunded, and such reserves for debt service or other capital or current expenses from the proceeds of such refunding bonds as may be required by the resolution, trust indenture or other security instruments. The issue of refunding bonds, the maturities and other details thereof, the security therefor, the rights of the holders and the rights, duties and obligations of the county authority in respect of the same shall be governed by the provisions of this act relating to the issue of bonds other than refunding bonds insofar as the same may be applicable. Any such refunding may be effected, whether the obligations to be refunded shall have then matured or shall thereafter mature, either by the exchange of the refunding bonds for the obligations to be refunded thereby with the consent of the holders of the obligations so to be refunded, or by sale of the refunding bonds and the application of the proceeds thereof to the payment of the obligations proposed to be refunded thereby, and regardless of whether the obligations proposed to be refunded shall be payable on the same date or different dates or shall be due serially or otherwise.

(2) Interim notes. Borrowing by the county authority may be made by the delivery of interim notes to any person or public agency or financial institution by a majority vote of the board of directors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-81 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-17-765 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 6 / Section 17-765
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-765
Status: in_force

The county authority may, in any authorizing resolution of the board of directors, trust indenture or other security instrument relating to its bonds issued pursuant to this act, provide for the appointment of a trustee who shall have such powers as are provided therein to represent the registered owners of any issue of bonds in the enforcement or protection of their rights under any such resolution, trust indenture or security instrument. The county authority may also provide in such resolution, trust indenture or other security instrument that the trustee, or in the event that the trustee so appointed shall fail or decline to so protect and enforce such registered owners' rights then such percentage of registered owners as shall be set forth in, and subject to the provisions of, such resolution, trust indenture or other security interest, may petition the court of proper jurisdiction for the appointment of a receiver of the county authority's systems, the revenues of which are pledged to the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds of such registered owners. Such receiver may exercise any power as may be granted in any such resolution, trust indenture or security instrument to enter upon and take possession of, acquire, construct or reconstruct or operate and maintain such system, fix charges for services of the system and enforce collection thereof, and receive all revenues derived from such system or facilities and perform the public duties and carry out the contracts and obligations of such county authority in the same manner as such county authority itself might do, all under the direction of such court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-71 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 10 / 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. § 49-39-5 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / 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. § 49-35-7 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 13 / Section 35-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-35-7
Status: in_force

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(iv) A schedule of remediation activities;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(8) The applicant brownfield party and the commission may agree to remediation of a brownfield property which is not the subject of the application to a risk level of unrestricted use.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 21-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-21-1
Status: reserved

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

ARTICLE 1. Findings, Purposes and Reservations of Power.

(1) Findings.

Signatory states hereby find and declare:

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

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

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

(2) Purposes.

The purposes of the signatories in enacting this compact are:

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

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

(3) Powers of the United States.

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

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

(4) Powers of the States.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE 3. Intergovernmental Cooperation.

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

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

ARTICLE 4. Supplementary Agreements, Jurisdiction and Enforcement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Provided that:

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

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

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE 5. Construction, Amendment and Effective Date.

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

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

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

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

(5) Withdrawal from the Compact. A state may withdraw from this compact by authority of an act of its legislature one (1) year after it notifies all signatories in writing of an intention to withdraw from the compact. Provided, withdrawal from the compact affects obligations of a signatory imposed on it by supplementary agreements to which it may be a party only to the extent and in accordance with the terms of such supplementary agreements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-86 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-86
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-5-86
Status: in_force

For purposes of Sections 49-5-86 through 49-5-98 , the following words and terms shall have the meaning ascribed herein unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) “ General obligation bonds ” means bonds of the State of Mississippi, to the repayment of which, both as to principal and interest, the full faith, credit and taxing power of the State of Mississippi are irrevocably pledged until the principal and interest are paid in full.

(b) “ Bond commission ” means the State Bond Commission.

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

(d) “ Committee ” or “ Wildlife Heritage Committee ” means the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-767 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 17-767
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-17-767
Status: in_force

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

(2) Any bonds issued by the county authority under and pursuant to the provisions of this act, their transfer and the income therefrom shall at all times be free from taxation by the state or any local unit or political subdivision or other instrumentality of the state, excepting inheritance and gift taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 5 / Section 28-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-28-37
Status: in_force

If the owners of a majority of the front footage of the property to be assessed under the front foot rule, or if the owners of a majority of the area of the property to be assessed under the area rule, as described in Section 49-28-35 , file a written protest objecting to the assessments authorized under this chapter, then the board of commissioners shall not proceed with the special assessment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-37 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 21 / Section 27-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-27-37
Status: in_force

(1) The commission shall send a copy of any order in issuance, denial, revocation or suspension of a permit to the parties stated in Section 49-27-17 , and such orders must be sent within ninety (90) days from the receipt of a complete application, or within ninety (90) days from an amendment to the application as provided by Section 49-27-11(2), in the case of granting or denying or thirty (30) days from the date of the hearing in the case of suspension or revocation, unless an extension is requested as provided in subsection (2) and approved by the commission.

(2) An applicant may request, in writing, additional extensions up to ninety (90) days for the processing of an application.
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-23-17 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 3 / 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. § 49-1-14 — MS Code / Title 49 / Chapter 1 / Section 1-14
Miss. Code Ann. § 49-1-14
Status: in_force

(1) Each person employed by the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks as a sworn law enforcement officer who meets the requirements of subsection (2) of this section, and who retires for superannuation or for reason of disability under the Public Employees' Retirement System, upon his request, may be allowed by the commission to retain, as his personal property, one (1) side arm which was issued to him, during his service, provided funds are available for such purpose.

(2) In order to be eligible to retain a side arm issued to him under subsection (1) of this section, a retiring sworn law enforcement officer employed by the commission must have attended and successfully completed the law enforcement curriculum at the Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers' Training Academy, and must be certified as a qualified law enforcement officer by the Board on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Training.