Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-145 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-145
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-145
Status: in_force

The Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District shall have authority to act jointly with political subdivisions of the state and agencies, commissions, and instrumentalities thereof, and with the federal government and other agencies thereof in the performance of the purposes and services authorized in this article, upon such terms as may be agreed upon by the directors.

The board of directors of the district shall have the authority to negotiate and contract with the Secretary of the Army under the provisions of public law 653, 85th Congress, or other applicable law or regulation written pursuant thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-125 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-125
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-125
Status: in_force

All such bonds provided for by Section 51-13-123 shall be negotiable instruments within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code of this state, shall be lithographed or engraved and printed in two (2) or more colors to prevent counterfeiting, shall be in denominations of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), shall be registered as issued, and shall be numbered in a regular series from one (1) upward. Each such bond shall specify on its face the purpose for which it was issued and the total amount authorized to be issued, it shall be payable to bearer, and the interest to accrue thereon shall be evidenced by proper coupons to be attached thereto. Such bonds shall bear interest at such rate or rates, not exceeding six percent (6%) per annum, as may be determined by the sale of such bonds. They shall mature annually in such amounts and at such times as shall be provided by the resolution of the board of directors. However, no bond shall have a longer maturity than forty (40) years from January 1, 1965, and the first maturity date thereof shall be not more than five (5) years from the date of such bonds. The denomination, form and place or places of payment of such bonds shall be fixed in the resolution of the board of directors of the district. Such bonds shall be signed by the president and secretary of such board with the seal of the district affixed thereto, but the coupons may bear only the facsimile signatures of such president and secretary. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually, except that the first interest coupon attached to any such bond may be for a period not exceeding one (1) year.

Such bonds may be called in, paid and redeemed in inverse numerical order on any interest date prior to maturity, upon not less than thirty (30) days' notice to the paying agent or agents designated in such bonds, and at such premium as may be designated in such bonds. In no case shall any premiums exceed six percent (6%) of the face value of such bonds.

All such bonds shall contain in substance a statement to the effect that they are secured solely by a pledge of the avails of the two (2) mills ad valorem tax levy provided for in Section 51-13-121 , or so much thereof as may be necessary therefor, and of the net revenues as hereinabove defined or so much thereof as may be necessary therefor, and that they do not constitute general obligations of the state of Mississippi or of the counties comprising said district, and are not secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit and resources of said state or of such counties.

All such bonds as provided for herein shall be sold at public sale as now provided by law. No such sale shall be at a price so low as to require the payment of interest on the money received therefor at more than six percent (6%) per annum computed with relation to the absolute maturity of the bonds, in accordance with standard tables of bond values, excluding from such computation the amount of any premium to be paid on redemption of any bonds prior to maturity.

This article shall be full and complete authority for the issuance of the bonds provided for herein, and no restriction or limitation otherwise prescribed by law shall apply herein.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, bonds referred to hereinabove may be issued pursuant to the supplemental powers and authorizations conferred by the provisions of the Registered Bond Act, being Sections 31-21-1 through 31-21-7 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-141 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-141
Status: in_force

All bonds issued pursuant to this article shall be validated as now provided by law by Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-11, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The services of the state's bond attorney may be employed in the preparation of such bond resolutions, forms, or proceedings as may be necessary, for which he shall be paid a reasonable fee. Such validation proceedings shall be instituted in the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, but notice of such validation proceedings shall be published at least two times in a newspaper of general circulation and published in each of the counties comprising the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, the first publication of which in each case shall be made at least ten days preceding the date set for the validation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-195 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 9-195
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-195
Status: in_force

Payments by any public agency for water supplies from the waterworks or water supply system owned or operated by the district shall be made from the gross receipts or revenues of the public agency's waterworks, water supply system, or of its combined waterworks, water supply, sewerage and sewage disposal systems, as may be prescribed in the contract between the public agency and the district, its successors or assigns, or as otherwise authorized by law. Such payments shall constitute an operating expense of the system or systems whose revenues are thus to be applied. No provision of this act shall be construed to prohibit any public agency, otherwise permitted by law to issue bonds, from issuing bonds in the manner provided by law for the construction, renovation, repair or development of waterworks or a water supply system or any part thereof owned or operated by such public agency. Payments made or to be made to the district pursuant to any contract authorized by this act shall not be subject to approval or review by the Mississippi Public Service Commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 15 / Section 15-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-5
Status: in_force

The commission shall be financed in all of its activities from funds made available by each of the associated counties, and each such county is authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof shall deem advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-47 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 8-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-47
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of the district issuing bonds pursuant to this chapter shall prescribe and collect reasonable rates, fees, tolls or charges for the services, facilities and commodities of its system or systems; shall prescribe penalties for the nonpayment thereof; and shall revise such rates, fees, tolls or charges from time to time whenever necessary to insure the economic operation of such system or systems. The rates, fees, tolls or charges prescribed shall be, as nearly as possible, such as will always produce revenue at least sufficient to:

(a) Provide for all expenses of operation and maintenance of the system or systems, including reserves therefor;

(b) Pay when due all bonds and interest thereon for the payment of which such revenues are or shall have been pledged, charged or otherwise encumbered, including reserves therefor; and

(c) Provide funds for reasonable expansions, extensions and improvements of services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-135 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-135
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-135
Status: in_force

At the discretion of the board of directors of the district any bonds provided for in Section 51-13-123 may be further secured by a trust agreement between the board of directors and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust company or bank having powers of a trust company within or without the state. Any such trust agreement or any resolution providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such provisions for protecting and enforcing the right and remedies of the bondholders as are reasonable and proper and not in violation of law. The trust agreement may contain provision for the issuance of additional bonds for any of the purposes authorized by this article, which shall be secured by the revenues pledged thereunder for such bonds to the extent provided therein. The trust agreement may include provisions to the effect that if there is any default in the payment of principal or interest on any of said bonds, any court having jurisdiction of the action may appoint a receiver to administer the properties and facilities of the district, including authority to sell or make contracts for the sale of any services, facilities, or commodities of the district or to renew such contracts, subject to the approval of the court appointing said receiver; and with power to provide for the payment of such bonds outstanding, or the payment of operating expenses, and to apply the income and revenues to the payment of said bonds and interest thereon in accordance with the resolution of the board of directors authorizing the issuance of such bonds and said trust agreement. The fee for the services of any corporate trustee shall not exceed the normal charges for acting as paying agent plus any additional amount or amounts allowed by the court as the reasonable value of services rendered by the corporate trustee upon default in the payment of principal and interest on the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-109 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 13-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-109
Status: in_force

Any eligible county may become a member of the district, subsequent to its creation, in the manner as the original counties became members and new counties shall have the same power and authority and be entitled to equal consideration of the district's board of directors, not inconsistent with the purposes of this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-165
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging Fund. The fund shall consist of the monies deposited into the fund as provided in subsection (2) of this section and any other monies appropriated or otherwise made available for the fund by the Legislature. The fund shall be administered and expended by the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for dredging and other related activities to remove sediments and debris from the bottom of the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

(2) During fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District may deposit not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the lease payments, fees and other funds received by the district during the fiscal year into the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund.

(3) Unexpended amounts remaining in the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-29 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 39 / Section 39-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-29
Status: in_force

The governing body of a member may exercise the power of eminent domain, upon written request of the board of commissioners, for the particular purpose of the acquisition of property for the district's storm water management system. The power of eminent domain shall be exercised as provided in Chapter 27, Title 11, Mississippi Code of 1972 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-21
Status: in_force

Whenever a majority of the owners of lands within a district proposed to be organized into a drainage district, who shall have arrived at lawful age and who represent one third in area of the lands in such proposed district, or whenever one third of the land owners in such proposed district owning more than one half of the lands in said district desire to organize a drainage district for the construction of drains or ditches across the lands of others for agricultural and sanitary purposes, or to maintain and keep in repair any such drains and ditches heretofore constructed, or to establish in said district a combined system of drainage or protection from wash or overflow for agricultural and sanitary purposes, and to construct and maintain the same by special assessment upon the property benefited thereby, such owners may file in the chancery court a petition signed by a majority of the owners of said land who own one third of the lands proposed to be included in said district, or by one third of the owners of said lands who own more than one half of the lands in said proposed drainage district to be organized as aforesaid, setting forth the proposed name of said drainage district, the necessity for the same, the description of the lands to be included in said drainage district, the names of the owners when known, together with the post-office address of such owners if the same can be ascertained, and may pray for the organization of a drainage district by a name to be given to the same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-57 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-57
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-57
Status: in_force

If the tax first levied shall prove insufficient to complete the improvement, the commissioners shall report the amount of the deficiency to the board of supervisors, and the board of supervisors shall thereupon make another levy on the property previously assessed for a sum sufficient to complete the improvement, which shall be collected in the same manner as the first levy. When any work has been begun under the provisions of this chapter, which shall not be completed and paid for out of the first or other levy, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to make such levy for its completion, and from year to year until it is completed, provided that the total levy shall in no case exceed the value of the benefits assessed on said property. The performance of such duty may be enforced by mandamus at the instance of any person or board interested.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1
Status: in_force

There is created the Pearl River Industrial Commission, composed of Hinds, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Rankin and such other counties in the state through which or bordering which the Pearl River runs. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member to the commission from each county from a list of three (3) names to be submitted by the board of supervisors in each participating county. The three (3) names submitted by the board of supervisors of Madison County and the board of supervisors of Rankin County shall be the names of persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. In his appointment the Governor shall designate the chairman and vice chairman of the commission. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The board of supervisors in any county through which or by which the Pearl River runs, other than those counties named above, may bring that county in as a member of the commission by resolution presented to the Governor; and the board of supervisors in such county may, in its discretion, call an election before taking such action, the election to be held as nearly as possible in the same manner other elections are held in the county.

The member appointed from Madison County who is serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Governor shall appoint a member from Madison County who meets the residency requirements of this section. The person appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-17 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 35 / Section 41-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-17
Status: in_force

The water authority shall have the following powers, acting either individually or jointly with other water authorities or public entities, together with all powers incidental thereto or necessary to the discharge thereof:

(a) To have succession in its designated name;

(b) To sue and be sued and to prosecute and defend suits in any court having jurisdiction of the subject matter and of the parties;

(c) To make use of a seal and to alter it at pleasure;

(d) To adopt and alter bylaws for the regulations and conduct of its affairs and business;

(e) To acquire, whether by purchase, gift, lease, devise, or otherwise, property of every description which the board may deem necessary to the acquisition, construction, equipment, improvement, enlargement, operation, administration or maintenance of a project, and to hold title thereto;

(f) To construct, enlarge, equip, improve, maintain, consolidate, administer and operate one or more projects;

(g) To borrow money, including interim construction financing, for any of its purposes;

(h) To sell and issue its bonds;

(i) To sell and issue refunding bonds;

(j) To secure any of its bonds by pledge and indenture as provided in this chapter;

(k) To appoint, employ and compensate such general managers, executive directors, agents, architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants and other persons and employees as the business of the water authority may require;

(l) To provide for such insurance as the board may deem advisable;

(m) To invest in obligations that are direct or guaranteed obligations of the United States of America, or other securities in which public funds may be invested by any other political subdivision under the laws of this state, any of its funds that the board may determine are not presently needed for its operational purposes;

(n) To contract, lease and make lease agreements respecting its properties or any part thereof;

(o) To exercise the power of eminent domain in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Title 11, Chapter 27, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(p) To sell, convey or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or projects; and

(q) To exercise and hold the authority and power granted to water supply systems and sewer systems under Sections 19-5-173 , 19-5-175 , 19-5-177 and 19-5-203 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 15-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-9
Status: in_force

This article shall be considered supplemental and additional to any and all other laws, and confers sufficient authority in and of itself for the purposes set forth herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-141 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-141
Status: in_force

All bonds issued pursuant to this article shall be validated as now provided by law by Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-11, Mississippi Code of 1972 . The services of the state's bond attorney may be employed in the preparation of such bond resolutions, forms, or proceedings as may be necessary, for which he shall be paid a reasonable fee. Such validation proceedings shall be instituted in the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, but notice of such validation proceedings shall be published at least two times in a newspaper of general circulation and published in each of the counties comprising the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, the first publication of which in each case shall be made at least ten days preceding the date set for the validation.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-147 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 29-147
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-147
Status: in_force

Upon the adoption of such resolution, the said board of commissioners of said drainage district may file its petition in the chancery court of any one of the counties in which it embraces land, requesting said court, or the chancellor thereof in vacation, to set a date for a hearing upon said proposal, either in term time or vacation, not less than three weeks after the date of the decree fixing the same, and to direct the clerk of said court to give notice of the time, date, and place of such hearing by publication at least once each week for two consecutive weeks. Such notice shall be published in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in each of the counties in which any of said districts shall embrace land, the date of the first publication to be not less than ten days prior to the date set for said hearing. Said notice shall be addressed to the officials, landowners, taxpayers, and other persons interested in said drainage districts proposed to be affected by said consolidation, shall contain a statement that written protests or objections to the proposed consolidation may be filed with the clerk of said court at any time prior to the date set for said hearing, and shall state that a failure to so file such written protest or objection prior to said date shall forever bar and preclude such protest or objection. Said notice may be in substantially the following form:

NOTICE

TO THE OFFICIALS, LANDOWNERS, AND TAXPAYERS OF, AND OTHER PERSONS INTERESTED IN (Here name all of the drainage districts proposed to be affected):

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of (here insert name of the drainage district making the proposal) has filed its petition in the Chancery Court of __________ County, Mississippi, proposing to combine the territory of (here insert names of tributary drainage districts proposed to be consolidated) with that of said (drainage district making proposal), so as to form of such combined territory a single consolidated drainage district embracing the territory of all of said districts, under the governing authority of a single Board of Commissioners to be appointed by said court (or chancellor in vacation), said proposed consolidated drainage district to have all of the power and authority of a drainage district organized and existing under Chapter 29, Title 51, Mississippi Code of 1972 .

Notice is further given that said matter has been set for hearing by the Chancery Court of __________ County, Mississippi (or the chancellor thereof in vacation, as the case may be) at __________ o'clock __________ M. on the day of __________ 20___, at the county court house at __________, Mississippi; and that any official, landowner or taxpayer of, or other person interested in any of the aforesaid drainage districts, who desires to oppose such proposed consolidation, must file his protest or objection in writing with the clerk of said court prior to said date set for said hearing, and that a failure to do so before said date forever will preclude and bar such protest or objection.

Witness my hand and seal of office, this ___ day of __________ 20___
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-119 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-119
Status: in_force

Any drainage district operating under the provisions of this chapter, having as its purpose and object a comprehensive and general plan to control overflow and surplus water of rivers and their tributaries, is hereby given the power, in addition to the foregoing powers given by this chapter, to construct and maintain by-passes for conveying surplus and overflow waters by means of ditches, canals, floodways, levees, conduits, or other artificial means by shorter and more direct route from tributaries of natural streams and their watersheds to their main water course, and from one point in a natural water course to another point therein. However, said by-passes, ditches, canals, floodways, levees, or conduits shall empty the water directly into the same watercourse to which it would naturally flow.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-83 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-83
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-83
Status: in_force

When lands have been erroneously taxed for purposes of a drainage district, whether such land so taxed lies within or without the limits of the district, and the commissioners of such drainage district allow the claim for the amount of the taxes so erroneously paid, or where the claimant secures a judgment against any drainage district for the amount of taxes erroneously paid, then, in the event the drainage district does not have sufficient funds with which to pay said claim or judgment, the claimant may at his election obtain from the commissioners of the drainage district a certificate for each year that taxes were erroneously collected, which certificate shall show the amount of taxes due to be refunded on account of such erroneous payment.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-39 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-39
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-39
Status: in_force

No member of any board of commissioners of any master water management district shall be liable for any damages sustained by any one in the prosecution of the work under his charge, unless it shall be made to appear that he has acted with a corrupt and malicious intent.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-1
Status: in_force

There is hereby created the Tombigbee Valley Authority composed of Clay, Itawamba, Lee, Lowndes, Monroe, Noxubee, Prentiss, Pontotoc, Alcorn, and Tishomingo Counties in the State of Mississippi, to be governed by a board consisting of one member from each such county and three members from the state at large, all to be appointed by the governor to serve for a term of four years or until their successors are appointed and qualified. The governor shall designate in his appointment the chairman and vice-chairman thereof. They shall serve without pay except for their actual traveling expenses and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties, to be reimbursed as in the case of state employees under the provisions of general law. Upon appointment, said members shall meet and organize at Columbus, Mississippi, set a regular time and place for the meetings of the authority, secure offices and all necessary equipment, and obtain such engineering, professional, clerical, and other assistance as may be necessary in order to accomplish the purposes of this article. An executive director may be appointed by the board if this is deemed advisable, and salaries of all personnel may be paid out of funds provided under the terms of this article in an amount agreeable to the authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-3
Status: in_force

The members shall serve without pay except they shall be reimbursed out of county funds provided by this article for their actual traveling expenses and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties, in an amount equal to travel and subsistence expenses allowed state employees under law. Upon appointment, said members shall meet and organize at some place designated by the governor, which shall be in one of the participating counties; and the members shall set a regular time and place for the members of the commission to meet, secure offices and all necessary equipment, and employ such engineering, professional, clerical, stenographic, and other assistance as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article. An executive director may be appointed by the board if this is deemed advisable, and salaries of all personnel may be paid out of funds provided under the terms of this article in an amount agreeable to the commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 13-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-107
Status: in_force

(1) Within twenty (20) days after the passage of this article, the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, State Board of Health, Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the Forestry Commission of the State of Mississippi shall appoint their respective members to the proposed district board of directors as provided in Section 51-13-105 . The four (4) appointive members, upon taking the oath as provided, shall meet in the Office of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson, Mississippi, within ten (10) days and adopt by a majority vote a resolution setting forth their intentions of creating the district and shall forthwith send a certified copy of said resolution to: (1) each member of the Tombigbee Valley Authority as now constituted, (2) the Governor, (3) executive officers of the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality, Board of Health, Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and Forestry Commission, and (4) the president of the board of supervisors and chancery clerk of each county through which any part of the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries lie. The four (4) state agencies herein named and the Tombigbee Valley Authority may, within ten (10) days from receipt of said resolution, adopt its own resolution favorable or unfavorable to the creation of said district; and the respective boards of supervisors may at their next regular meeting likewise adopt a resolution favorable or unfavorable to creating said district. All of said resolutions adopted shall be certified by its secretary, clerk, or executive officer and shall be filed with each state agency, political subdivision, or other agency named in Section 55-13-105.

(2) Every board of supervisors of those counties desiring to become members of the district, through which the Tombigbee River or any of its tributaries lie, shall, upon receipt of the certified resolutions mentioned in this section, declare said board's intentions by adopting a resolution expressing its desire to have said district created and to levy an ad valorem tax not to exceed one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill on all the taxable property within the Tombigbee Watershed area of said county for the use and benefit of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District. The said resolution shall be published once each week for three (3) consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in the county and having a general circulation therein, and if no petition signed by twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of the county is filed with the board requesting the calling of an election on the question of the county's participation in the district and the levying of the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax levy aforesaid, the board may proceed to have the county become a member of said district and to levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax levy but if, within twenty-one (21) days after the date of the first publication of said resolution, a petition signed by at least twenty percent (20%) of the qualified electors of said county, requesting an election on the proposition of said county becoming a member of the proposed district and the levying of the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax as herein provided, is filed, said election shall be held and conducted as now provided by law for such elections. If such an election is held and a majority of those voting therein vote for the proposition, the board shall, by appropriate resolution, bring the county into the district and levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax as otherwise provided by law. If the majority of those voting in such election shall vote against the proposition, then the county shall not become a member of the district nor levy the one-half ( 1 / 2 ) mill tax; and no further election shall be so conducted until the lapse of two (2) years after the last election.

(3) Whenever an aggregate of six (6) counties have become members of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District in the manner provided in this section, the said district shall be created as an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate with all of the powers granted it by statute.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-33 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 35 / Section 41-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-33
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the creation of water authorities and the issuance of bonds as set forth in this chapter. No proceedings shall be required for the creation of water authorities or the issuance of bonds other than those provided for and required in this chapter. The board of directors of a water authority shall have all the powers necessary in order to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-119 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 29-119
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-119
Status: in_force

Any drainage district operating under the provisions of this chapter, having as its purpose and object a comprehensive and general plan to control overflow and surplus water of rivers and their tributaries, is hereby given the power, in addition to the foregoing powers given by this chapter, to construct and maintain by-passes for conveying surplus and overflow waters by means of ditches, canals, floodways, levees, conduits, or other artificial means by shorter and more direct route from tributaries of natural streams and their watersheds to their main water course, and from one point in a natural water course to another point therein. However, said by-passes, ditches, canals, floodways, levees, or conduits shall empty the water directly into the same watercourse to which it would naturally flow.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 15-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-105
Status: repealed

(1) All powers of the district shall be exercised by a board of directors to be composed of the following:

(a) [Repealed]

(b) From and after January 9, 1996, the Governor shall appoint three (3) members of the Board of Directors of the Pat Harrison Waterway District from the district at large. No more than one (1) appointment may be made by the Governor from any one (1) county in the district. All initial appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than February 1, 1996, and no person appointed under this paragraph shall be an elected official or a county employee. All appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be for terms of four (4) years each or until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(c) From and after January 9, 1996, the board of supervisors of each county in the Pat Harrison Waterway District shall have an appointment to the board of directors of the district as follows: the boards of supervisors of the counties of Clarke, Covington and Forrest shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of one (1) year; the boards of supervisors of the counties of George, Greene, Jackson and Jasper shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of two (2) years; the boards of supervisors of the counties of Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale and Newton shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of three (3) years; and the boards of supervisors of the counties of Perry, Smith, Stone and Wayne shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of four (4) years. All initial appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than February 1, 1996, and no person appointed under this paragraph shall be an elected official or a county employee. All appointments made pursuant to this paragraph after the initial appointments shall be for terms of four (4) years each or until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(d) The directors appointed pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection shall not discontinue any litigation pending on January 9, 1996, with respect to monetary payments owed to the district by any member county, and such directors shall pursue such litigation to a conclusion.

(2) Each director shall take and subscribe to the general oath of office required by Section 268 of the Constitution of the State of Mississippi before a chancery clerk, that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, which oath shall be filed with the clerk and by him preserved.

(3) Each director shall receive a per diem in the amount established in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for attending each day's meeting of the board and for each day spent in attending to the necessary business of the district and, in addition, he may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses thus incurred, upon express authorization of the board.

(4) The board of directors shall annually elect from its number a president and a vice president of the district, and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the district and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall perform all duties and exercise all powers conferred by this article upon the president when the president is absent or fails or declines to act, except the president's right to vote. The board shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer, who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine those offices. Except as otherwise provided for in this subsection, the treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) as set by the board of directors, and each director may be required to give bond in the sum of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) with sureties qualified to do business in this state, and the premium on such bonds shall be an expense of the district. The condition of each bond shall be that the treasurer or director will faithfully perform all duties of his office and account for all money or other assets which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the district. In lieu of the bonds required by this subsection, the board may authorize that the district purchase an equivalent amount of errors and omissions insurance for the treasurer and directors.

(5) Each director shall meet with the board of supervisors of the county from which he is appointed at least twice a year at reasonable times established by the board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-31 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-31
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-31
Status: in_force

In like manner of making assessments and at the same time and subject to the same rights of protest and appeal, the commissioners shall also assess and place opposite each tract of land on the assessment roll an estimate of all damages that will accrue to any landowner by reason of works or proposed works of improvement, including injury to lands taken or damaged; and when said commissioners return no assessment of damages as to any tract of land, it shall be deemed a finding by them that no damages will be sustained.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 11-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-107
Status: in_force

The State Auditor shall perform or have performed a final close-out audit of the accounts of the district. The close-out audit shall be in a form acceptable to the State Auditor and may be conducted in lieu of the usual annual audit of accounts, if the district had continued in existence. Costs of conducting the close-out audit may be defrayed from any funds formerly under the control of the district and currently under the control of the department.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-325 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 35 / Section 35-325
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-35-325
Status: in_force

Before issuing any revenue bonds hereunder, the board of directors of the district shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to so issue, stating the amount of bonds proposed to be issued, the purpose for which the bonds are to be issued, and the date upon which the governing body proposes to direct the issuance of such bonds. Such resolution shall be published once a week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in at least one (1) newspaper published in the district. The first publication of such resolution shall be made not less than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed in such resolution for the issuance of the bonds and the last publication shall be made not more than seven (7) days prior to such date. If no newspaper is published in such district, then such notice shall be given by publishing the resolution for the required time in some newspaper having a general circulation in the district, and, in addition, by posting a copy of such resolution for at least twenty-one (21) days next preceding the date fixed therein at three (3) public places in the district. If twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors living or owning property in the district shall file a written protest against the issuance of such bonds on or before the date specified in such resolution, then an election on the question of the issuance of such bonds shall be called and held as herein provided. If no such protest be filed, then such bonds may be issued without an election at any time within a period of two (2) years after the date specified in the above-mentioned resolution. However, the board of directors of the district, in its discretion, may nevertheless call an election on the question of the issuance of the bonds, in which event it shall not be necessary to publish the resolution declaring its intention to issue bonds as herein provided.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-101 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 15-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-101
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared, as a matter of legislative determination, that the waterways and surface waters of the state are among its basic resources, that the overflow and surface waters of the state have not heretofore been conserved to realize their full beneficial use, that the utilization, development, conservation, and regulation of such waters are necessary to insure an adequate flood control program, sanitary water supply at all times, to promote the balanced economic development of the state, and to aid in conservation and development of state forests, irrigation of lands needing irrigation, and pollution abatement. It is further determined and declared that the preservation, conservation, storage, and regulation of the waters of the Pat Harrison Waterway District overflow waters for domestic, municipal, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and manufacturing purposes, for recreational uses, for flood control, timber development, irrigation, and pollution abatement are, as a matter of public policy, for the general welfare of the entire people of the state.

The creation of the Pat Harrison Waterway District is determined to be necessary and essential to the accomplishment of the aforesaid purposes, and this article operates on a subject in which the state at large is interested. All the terms and provisions of this article are to be liberally construed to effectuate the purposes herein set forth, this being a remedial law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 29-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-3
Status: in_force

The words “real property”, whenever used in this chapter, shall have the same meaning as when used in the law providing for state and county revenues, and shall embrace all railroads within the district.

The word “ditch,” as used in this chapter, shall be held to include branch or lateral drains, tile drains, levees, sluiceways, water courses, floodgates, and any other construction work found necessary for the reclamation of wet and overflowed lands.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-103 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 11-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-103
Status: in_force

(1) Through June 30, 2018, the district, and from and after July 1, 2018, the department, is authorized to transfer any real property to which the district currently holds or formerly held title, specifically including, but not limited to, any water parks or similar facilities owned by the district, to the county or municipality in which the real property lies. As consideration for the property being received, the county or municipality must agree to accept the transfer and any duties and obligations appurtenant to the property. Any equipment associated with a water park or other real property of the district that is transferred under this subsection shall also be transferred to the county or municipality that accepts the transfer of the real property.

(2) Any county or municipality accepting the transfer of a water park or other real property from the district or the department is authorized to assume any duties and obligations appurtenant to the property as formerly exercised by the district, including, but not limited to, the obligation to operate and maintain those properties out of the revenues of the county or municipality, the obligation to protect the property with either liability insurance or through the Mississippi Tort Claims Fund, and the assumption and/or transfer of any obligations as a recipient or sponsor of any state or federal grant or grant funds.

(3) Any county that chooses not to accept the transfer of any real property currently or formerly owned by the district, after determining that no municipality in the county wishes to have the property transferred to it, may make a finding that the property would be surplus to the needs of the county, by proper action and order of the board of supervisors of the county. Upon the making of a finding that a property would be surplus to the needs of the county, the Secretary of State may institute proceedings to sell the surplus property in accordance with Section 29-1-1 , in accordance with the process described in Section 29-1-37 , or in accordance with other applicable statutes. The Secretary of State may deduct the costs of effecting the sale of the surplus property from the net proceeds of the sale before transferring the funds as authorized in Sections 51-11-101 through 51-11-107 . Proceeds from the sale of any such property shall, where applicable, be used for the acquisition of additional properties by the state, acting by and through the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, to satisfy any obligations imposed by grants as to the nature and use of the property.

(4) The liability of a county for any financial obligations or indebtedness to the district occurring or accruing before the dissolution of the district, including, but not limited to, the responsibility for paying its portion of any district bonds and other contractual obligations, and making annual payments to the district as set forth in Section 51-11-31 , shall continue in existence after the district is dissolved and shall be payable by the county to the department. The department is authorized to take such actions as necessary to collect any financial obligations of a county to the district that are still outstanding after the district is dissolved.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-137 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 13-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-137
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the district is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds of the district for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding and issued under authority of this article, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds. The issuance of such refunding bonds, the maturity and other details thereof, and the rights, duties, and obligations of the board of trustees and of the district in respect to such bonds shall be governed by the provisions of this article, in so far as they are applicable. In no event shall such bonds mature over a period of time exceeding forty years from January 1, 1964.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-35 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 3-35
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-35
Status: in_force

(1) Upon approval of the application the board shall notify the applicant to that effect and issue a permit authorizing him to take all steps required to apply the water to the approved and proposed beneficial use. An application may be approved for a less amount of water than that requested if, in the opinion of the board, the approval of the full amount requested would interfere with a vested right or is against public interest. An applicant shall be entitled to proceed with construction and with the use of water in accordance with the approval and such limitations as may be prescribed by the board. No application shall be approved until the substance thereof shall have been published by the applicant in a newspaper having general circulation in the county wherein the point of diversion or withdrawal exists, at least ten (10) days before approval of such application, and a public hearing accorded any person whose rights may be adversely affected by such approval. At such hearing all persons concerned will be accorded the right of counsel and the right to introduce evidence in their behalf.

(2) If the application is refused the board shall so notify the applicant, and it shall be unlawful for such applicant to take any steps toward the use of any such water, so long as the refusal shall continue in force. Any person who proceeds to use water, without approval of the board being first obtained, may be enjoined in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-87 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 31-87
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-87
Status: in_force

After the organization of any drainage district under this chapter or after the filing of a petition to organize any such district, if any other or different drainage district lying adjacent to or above said proposed drainage district, or any district not heretofore organized shall be organized and drain the water from their ditches into the ditches or drains of the said lower drainage district from the lands lying above or adjacent and draining into the said drainage district so organized or petitioned for, the commissioners of such lower district shall ask, demand, and receive from said upper district or adjacent district just compensation for an outlet for the waters of said upper or adjacent district. In case said commissioners of the two districts cannot agree upon the amount to be paid by such district, then the same shall be submitted by petition to the chancery court or chancellor in vacation having jurisdiction of the lower district. Said court or chancellor shall hear the petition on proper notice and shall apportion the cost or amount to be paid, if any, by such upper or adjacent district. This section shall apply to all natural drains which may have been heretofore or which shall hereafter be improved, cleaned out, dredged, and used as a drainage canal or main outlet for any drainage district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-101 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 31 / Section 31-101
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-101
Status: in_force

Any person who shall wrongfully or purposely fill up, cut, injure, destroy, or in any manner injure or impair the usefulness of any drain, ditch, or other work constructed under drainage laws shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, may be fined in any sum not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100.00), and shall be liable for double the expense occasioned by repairing the same or removing such obstruction, to be recovered at the suit of the proper drainage district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 29 / Section 31-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-105
Status: in_force

The proper chancery court of the county of the defendant district being sued shall have jurisdiction of all suits brought against such district, and between drainage districts suing unless otherwise provided. The chancery court organizing a drainage district shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all suits brought against such district, unless otherwise herein provided.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 11-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-105
Status: in_force

The following provisions related to the Lower Pearl River Restoration Project (“project”) are contingent upon the development of an agreement, or an amendment to the existing agreement, between the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”), the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (“DWFP”) and the district, removing the district from the agreement, and possibly adding a new cooperating partner or partners and possibly removing the MDEQ and/or the DWFP from the agreement.

From and after July 1, 2018, the project, currently being managed as a joint effort of the MDEQ, the DWFP, and the district, shall continue as per existing agreements, which may be amended to reflect the dissolution of the district and its removal from those agreements. The obligations of the district under the current agreements for the project may be assumed by the MDEQ, or other entity, as the designated state entity for the continuing obligation of maintenance of the water control structures as set forth in the original agreements. The parties to the agreement may identify necessary maintenance activities needed to preserve the integrity of project structures and other ordinary maintenance activities as the parties may agree need to be performed. Funding to perform those maintenance activities shall come from the Lower Pearl trust account currently on deposit with a depository or depositories in the name of the Pearl River Basin Development District, which funds are a special fund set aside solely for the operation and maintenance of the project. From and after July 1, 2018, the parties to the agreement, may assume ownership, in trust, of those funds, and the funds shall be known as the “Lower Pearl River Restoration Trust Fund.” Monies from this fund shall be a special fund set aside for the purpose(s) set forth in the amended or reformed agreement between the parties and shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and may not be expended for any purpose other than operation and maintenance activities under the purview of the project.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-123 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-123
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-123
Status: in_force

All construction contracts by the district, where the amount of the contract shall exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00), shall be made upon at least three weeks' public notice by advertisement in a newspaper of general circulation in the district, which notice shall state the thing to be done and invite sealed proposals, to be filed with the secretary of the district, to do the work; and in all such cases, before the notice shall be published, the plans and specification for the work shall be filed with the secretary of the district and there remain. The board of directors of the district shall award the contract to the lowest bidder, who will comply with the terms imposed by such board and enter into bond with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the board, in such penalty as shall be fixed by such board, but in no case to be less than the contract price, conditioned for the prompt, proper, and efficient performance of the contract.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-121 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 31-121
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-121
Status: in_force

Upon the filing of said report with the clerk, he shall make an entry to that effect upon the minutes of said court and shall set down and fix the term of court next thereafter convening, or shall set down and fix a day in vacation, as he may deem best, when the court or the chancellor in vacation shall hear said matter. The clerk shall thereupon give notice by publication for two weeks, by two insertions in some newspaper published in the county in which the greater part of the land lies, notifying all persons interested to appear at the term of court or day set in vacation and show cause, if any, why said subdistrict should not be organized or bonds be issued to pay for said work.

However, the day set for hearing shall not be more than sixty days after the first of said notices is published. The said notice by publication shall be full and complete notice to any and all persons interested, and shall confer full and complete power and authority upon the court or chancellor in vacation to act in said matter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-59 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 29-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-59
Status: in_force

(1) The board of commissioners herein mentioned shall have control of the construction of the improvements in their districts. They may make purchases and contracts in accordance with Section 31-7-13 .

(2) The chancery court or chancellor in vacation may remove any commissioner and appoint his successor, upon proof of incompetency or neglect of duty; but the charge shall be in writing, and such commissioner shall have the right to be heard in his defense and to appeal to the circuit court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-221 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-221
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-221
Status: in_force

The state hereby covenants with the registered owners of any bonds of the district that so long as the bonds are outstanding and unpaid the state will not limit or alter the rights and powers of the district under this act to conduct the activities referred to herein in any way pertinent to the interests of the bondholders including, without limitation, the district's right to charge and collect rates, fees and charges and to fulfill the terms of any covenants made with the registered owners of the bonds, or in any other way impair the rights and remedies of the registered owners of the bonds, unless provision for full payment of such bonds, by escrow or otherwise, has been made pursuant to the terms of the bonds or the resolution, trust indenture or security instrument securing the bonds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 9-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1
Status: in_force

There is created the Pearl River Industrial Commission, composed of Hinds, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Rankin and such other counties in the state through which or bordering which the Pearl River runs. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member to the commission from each county from a list of three (3) names to be submitted by the board of supervisors in each participating county. The three (3) names submitted by the board of supervisors of Madison County and the board of supervisors of Rankin County shall be the names of persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. In his appointment the Governor shall designate the chairman and vice chairman of the commission. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The board of supervisors in any county through which or by which the Pearl River runs, other than those counties named above, may bring that county in as a member of the commission by resolution presented to the Governor; and the board of supervisors in such county may, in its discretion, call an election before taking such action, the election to be held as nearly as possible in the same manner other elections are held in the county.

The member appointed from Madison County who is serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Governor shall appoint a member from Madison County who meets the residency requirements of this section. The person appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-176 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 9-176
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-176
Status: in_force

At the request of a Mississippi municipality, county, other legal political subdivision of the state or a Mississippi state agency, federal agency, or under a declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the Governor or the President of the United States, the officers of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police may render law enforcement services including search and rescue using Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police equipment. Officers of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police may also participate in joint multijurisdictional training exercises, multijurisdictional law enforcement operations and multijurisdictional search and rescue operations. The officers may exercise the law enforcement authority granted under Section 51-9-175 in the jurisdiction of the training, operation or emergency. The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police, with the approval of the governing board, may enter into agreements with jurisdictions regarding the circumstances in which emergency assistance may be provided and administered. Unless otherwise directed by an agreement, officers will remain under the authority of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police Chief or to whomever and to what level of authority is delegated by the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police Chief or by assignment through the National Incident Management System or by the stated declaration of disaster or emergency. The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District Reservoir Police may seek reimbursement for services and related expenses if available.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-13 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 5-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-13
Status: in_force

The driller shall keep accurate records on each water well drilled, including, but not limited to, its location, depth, character of rocks or formations drilled, fluids encountered, and such other reasonable information as the board may specify. Each driller shall, within thirty days after completion of each well, file a report containing such information in the office of the state board of water commissioners on forms provided by the board. However, no report or information shall be required to be filed with the board if the well is a driven well or if it is dug by the use of a hand auger.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-1
Status: in_force

The purpose of Sections 51-33-1 through 51-33-9 is to confer certain additional powers on drainage districts already created or to be created under the laws of the State of Mississippi for the purposes of cooperating with the government of the United States and landowners in soil and water conservation and utilization programs for the further development of the economy of this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-157 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 9-157
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-157
Status: in_force

The accomplishment of the purposes stated in this article being for the benefit of the people of this state and for the improvement of their properties and industries, the district in carrying out the purposes of this article will be performing an essential public function and shall not be required to pay any tax or assessment on the project and related facilities or any part thereof, and the interest on the bonds issued hereunder shall at all times be free from taxation within this state. The state hereby covenants with the holders of any bonds to be issued hereunder that the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments imposed by the state or any of its political subdivisions or taxing districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-17 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 8-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-17
Status: in_force

Any party having an interest in the subject matter and aggrieved or prejudiced by the findings and adjudication of the applicable governing body may appeal to the circuit court of the county in the manner provided by law for appeals from orders of such bodies. However, if no such appeal be taken within a period of thirty (30) days from and after the date of the adoption of the resolution creating any such district, the creation of such district shall be final and conclusive and shall not thereafter be subject to attack in any court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 35 / Section 39-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-9
Status: in_force

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

(2) If twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is less, of the qualified electors within the geographic boundaries of the proposed district file a written petition with the governing body before the date specified in the resolution or ordinance under Section 51-39-7(2) protesting the creation of the district, the governing body shall call an election on the question of the creation of the district. The election shall be held and conducted by the election commissioners of the county or municipality as nearly as may be in accordance with the general laws governing elections. The election commissioners shall determine which of the qualified electors of the county or municipality reside within geographic boundaries of the proposed district, and only those qualified electors as reside within the geographic boundaries of the proposed district shall be entitled to vote in the election. Notice of the election setting forth the time, place or places, and purpose of the election shall be published by the clerk of the board of supervisors or the municipal clerk, as the case may be. The notice shall be published for the time and in the manner provided in subsection (1) of this section. The ballot to be prepared for and used at the election shall be in substantially the following form:

“FOR CREATION OF __________ DISTRICT: ( )

AGAINST CREATION OF __________ DISTRICT: ( )”

Voters shall vote by placing a cross mark (x) or check mark (✓) opposite their choice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-151 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-151
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-151
Status: in_force

Any municipality or county which is within the territorial limits of the district may advance funds to said district to pay the preliminary expenses, including engineers' reports, organization, or administration expenses, on such terms of repayment as the governing body of such municipality or county shall determine. Notwithstanding the provision of any law to the contrary, any such municipality or county is authorized and empowered to borrow money for a period not to exceed one year from the date of such borrowing, for the purpose of making such advances. The board of directors is hereby authorized to repay any such advances from the proceeds of any funds for bonds issued under the provisions of this article.

Any board of supervisors may, in its discretion, transfer any funds authorized by Sections 51-13-129 and 51-13-131 , to the depository of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District to be expended for any of the purposes of the district. The said district is authorized to expend all funds coming into its depository for any legitimate purpose authorized by law.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 13 / Section 13-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-3
Status: in_force

The Tombigbee Valley Authority is hereby authorized and empowered to do any and all things necessary or desirable in making a survey or surveys of that portion of the Tombigbee River situated in the State of Mississippi and its tributaries to investigate the possibilities of developing that portion of the Tombigbee River lying and being in Mississippi, which comprises a segment from the Tennessee River on the north through the States of Mississippi and Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile, Alabama, in co-operation with the federal government and any and all agencies thereof assisting in such survey or proposed plans for projects which upon completion would lead to the industrial development of this state, to the opening of an additional inland waterway to the Gulf of Mexico, and to the control of the flood waters of the Tombigbee River in Mississippi. It is contemplated that plans be considered and surveys made for the opening of a water route from the northern headwaters of the Tombigbee River, and particularly the east branch of the Tombigbee River, its tributaries, and the Tennessee River as a part of the over-all plans to be considered by this authority.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-29 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 7-29
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-29
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, including but not limited to the construction and maintenance of works of improvement, expenses of the board of commissioners, assessment of benefits, and for repayment of bonds and interest as provided herein, the commissioners of a master water management district shall have authority to assess the lands of the district in proportion to the benefits accruing to such lands; provided, however, that for the purpose of providing funds with which to clean out, restore, repair and rehabilitate the whole or any part of the drainage system of a district or for the purpose of cooperating with the United States or any agency thereof in such works, there may be imposed a uniform assessment by the commissioners of such master water management district or, upon resolution of the commissioners, by the commissioners of a drainage or subdrainage district on each acre of unsubdivided land lying within the master district and a uniform assessment by lot on subdivided land lying within the master district and the records required in this chapter shall show the amount of the assessment in lieu of the amount of benefits accruing to each tract. Taxes levied hereunder are hereby declared to be taxes for maintenance purposes and shall not diminish in any manner the amount of assessed benefits in any such district which is otherwise available for the payment of any outstanding bonds of such district.

The assessments provided for in this section may be made even though evidences of indebtedness have been issued or validated or both prior thereto, but the lien of the holders of any such indebtedness shall not be impaired thereby. No assessments shall be made against lands owned by the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof, or lands owned by the United States of America or any agency thereof. Such assessment shall be made in such manner as to clearly show the name of the owner and the description of the lands against which the assessment is made. When the assessment has been made, the assessment roll shall be filed with the chancery clerk and notice of such assessment shall be given in the same manner that notice is given for other purposes as provided in Section 51-7-11 . Such notice of assessment shall include the date which the chancellor has set for hearing of any protest of such assessment. Such protest shall affect only the assessment against the person or persons making the protest. The court on such date, or within thirty (30) days thereafter, shall pass upon the assessment roll; and he or she shall have the authority to approve the roll, order its revision, or modify same, within his or her discretion. After the roll has been approved by the court, copies thereof certified by the secretary of the board of commissioners shall be transmitted to the boards of supervisors and the tax collectors of the counties within which the lands of the master water management district are located, and the boards of supervisors may make the levy for taxes upon the lands on the assessment roll on such percentage basis as is requested by the board of commissioners. If any landowners or the board of commissioners are aggrieved at any assessment approved by the chancellor, they shall have the right of appeal from the order of the chancellor as provided for under Section 51-7-23 , but such appeal shall not stay the collection of any tax levied on such assessment. The tax collectors of the respective counties in which such lands are located shall collect the taxes at the regular times provided by law for the collection of real estate taxes, and shall remit such collections to the secretary of the district within thirty (30) days after expiration of the time provided for payment thereof. All provisions of law for the sale of land for delinquent ad valorem taxes shall be applicable in effecting collection of any delinquent taxes which may be due under provisions of this chapter, and suit may be maintained against any delinquent taxpayer hereunder in the manner provided by law. All liabilities and penalties pertaining to responsibilities and duties of the tax collector generally shall be applicable hereunder.

At any time within three (3) years after the completion of construction of improvements for which assessment has been made under the provisions hereof, or within six (6) months after the effective date of this section, whichever is later, any landowner or group of landowners upon whose lands the original assessment or benefits were improperly or erroneously made may file an action in the chancery court of proper jurisdiction requesting modification or removal of such assessments. Upon a hearing being had on such action the chancellor shall make such findings of fact as the evidence adduced may require and may either confirm the assessments as originally made or may order such changes therein as may be required so that the total cost of the works as constructed may be borne by those lands in the district actually benefited thereby in proportion to the benefits actually conferred thereon by such improvements except as otherwise provided in this section. Such order may be made even though evidences of indebtedness have been issued and validated prior thereto, but the lien of the holders of any such indebtedness shall not be impaired thereby.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 4-21.1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.1
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , Tangipahoa River in Pike County beginning at U.S. Highway 51 and extending to the Mississippi-Louisiana state line is designated as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-115 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-115
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-115
Status: in_force

The Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District is authorized to establish or otherwise provide for public parks and recreation facilities and for the preservation of fish and wildlife, and to acquire land otherwise than by condemnation except as provided in subsection (e) of Section 51-13-111 for such purposes, within the project area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-165
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging Fund. The fund shall consist of the monies deposited into the fund as provided in subsection (2) of this section and any other monies appropriated or otherwise made available for the fund by the Legislature. The fund shall be administered and expended by the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for dredging and other related activities to remove sediments and debris from the bottom of the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

(2) During fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District may deposit not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the lease payments, fees and other funds received by the district during the fiscal year into the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund.

(3) Unexpended amounts remaining in the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-25 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 8-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-25
Status: in_force

Every resident citizen of a local governmental unit in any district created pursuant to this chapter, of good reputation, being the owner of land or the conductor of a business situated within such district and being over twenty-one (21) years of age and of sound mind and judgment, shall be eligible to hold the office of commissioner.

Each person appointed as a commissioner, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, shall be required to execute a bond payable to the State of Mississippi in the penal sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) conditioned that he will faithfully discharge the duties of his office; each such bond shall be approved by the clerk of the governing body of such unit and filed with said clerk.

Any commissioner who shall remove his residence from the local governmental unit from which he was appointed or elected shall be deemed to have automatically vacated his office.

Each commissioner shall take and subscribe to an oath of office prescribed in Section 268, Mississippi Constitution of 1890 , before the clerk of said governing body that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of commissioner, which oath shall also be filed with said clerk and by him preserved with such official bond.

The commissioners so appointed and qualified shall be compensated on a per diem basis for their services for each meeting of the board of commissioners attended, either regular or special, at the rates established by law for state boards and commissions. Commissioners shall also be reimbursed for all expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their official duties in such amounts as are allowed for members of state boards and commissions.

The board of commissioners shall hold regular monthly meetings and such other special meetings as may be called by the chairman or a majority of the commissioners.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-97 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-97
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-97
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in Sections 51-33-91 through 51-33-97 shall be construed to impair or affect any contract or other obligation of any such drainage district, but persons holding claims against such drainage district shall, on notice of the dissolution thereof as provided herein, file any such claims as they may have against such district. If the court should decree that said district should be liquidated, all of said claims shall be passed upon by the chancery court or chancellor, as the case may be, and if found just, a levy shall be made upon said lands upon an acreage basis as hereinabove provided, in order to liquidate and pay such indebtedness as may be found due and owing by said district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-105
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District may hereafter be organized in this state under the provisions of this article, in the manner hereinafter provided. This water supply district shall be an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate, and may be composed of one or more entire counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 35 / Section 41-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-1
Status: in_force

It is the intent of the Legislature to provide a means, in addition to the incorporation of districts authorized in Sections 19-5-151 through 19-5-207 , by which not-for-profit corporations or associations involved in the sale, transmission and distribution of potable water to members of the public and others may convert their entity status from that of a body corporate to that of a body politic, thereby allowing those entities the opportunity to access the tax-exempt capital markets and thereby assuring the State of Mississippi and the customers of those entities of adequate supplies of water at the lowest water rates possible.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-25-6 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 25-6
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-25-6
Status: in_force

Each of the counties in which the said Yellow Creek Watershed is located is hereby authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof shall deem advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-193 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-193
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-193
Status: in_force

The district, through its board of directors, in addition to any and all powers now or hereafter granted to it, is hereby empowered:

(a) To construct, operate and maintain a waterworks and water supply system in furtherance of the purposes of this act on land now owned or hereafter acquired by it for said purpose and to construct or otherwise acquire all waterworks or other facilities deemed necessary or useful for the treatment and processing of water available to it and the transportation and supplying of such water to public agencies or to the district or persons situated on land owned by the district for municipal, commercial, domestic, industrial, agricultural and manufacturing purposes.

(b) To acquire by condemnation or otherwise any and all property of any kind, real, personal, or mixed, or any interest therein, necessary or convenient to the exercise of the purposes of and the powers granted by this act. Any property acquired by condemnation shall be acquired according to the procedure otherwise provided by law for the condemnation of property by public agencies. For the purposes of this act, the right of eminent domain shall be superior and dominant to the right of eminent domain of railroad, telephone, telegraph, gas, power and other companies or corporations.

The amount and character of interest in land, other property, and easements thus to be acquired shall be determined by the board of directors, and their determination shall be conclusive and shall not be subject to attack in the absence of manifold abuse of discretion or fraud on the part of such board in making such determination. However:

(i) In acquiring lands, either by negotiation or condemnation, the district shall not acquire minerals or royalties; provided that sand and gravel shall not be considered as minerals within the meaning of this section; and

(ii) No person or persons owning the drilling rights or the right to share in production shall be prevented from exploring, developing or producing oil or gas with necessary rights-of-way for ingress and egress, pipelines and other means of transporting interests on any land or interest therein of the district held or used for the purposes of this act; but any such activities shall be under such reasonable regulations by the board of directors as will adequately protect the waterworks and water supply system of the district contemplated by this act.

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

(d) To enter into contracts with any person in furtherance of any of the purposes authorized by this act upon such consideration as the board of directors and such person may agree. Any such contract may extend over any period of time, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary, may be upon such terms as the parties thereto shall agree, and may provide that it shall continue in effect until bonds specified therein, refunding bonds issued in lieu of such bonds and all other obligations specified therein are paid or terminated. Any such contract shall be binding upon the parties thereto according to its terms.

(e) To make and enforce, and from time to time amend and repeal, bylaws and rules and regulations for the management of its business and affairs and for the construction, use, maintenance and operation of any of the waterworks or water supply system under its management and control and any other of its properties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 5-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-9
Status: in_force

(1) When the board determines that the holder of any license issued pursuant to this chapter has violated any provisions thereof or any rules and regulations pursuant thereto, the board shall authorize suspension or revocation of such license. Proceedings under the provisions of this section shall not be dependent upon having exhausted remedies through any other section of this chapter.

(2) The board shall notify the suspected violator at least fifteen days before the board hearing therefor, shall specify to him the grounds for which such license revocation is proposed with such sufficiency as to protect his constitutional rights therein as in other civil hearings pertaining to license revocations, shall give him opportunity to present any witnesses or other reasonable evidence before the board, and shall comply with established rules of procedure for such board hearings.

(3) Any such order of revocation of license shall become effective thirty days after service thereof. The aggrieved party may appeal from the board's finding to a court of competent jurisdiction as provided by the laws of the state, provided notice of appeal is given to the board within ten days of such board action.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-21
Status: in_force

If the original plan was made only as to a part of the area within the master water management district, plans for any subsequent projects or works for the remaining area or any part thereof shall be submitted to the chancery court for approval in the manner provided herein, and all provisions and procedures of Sections 51-7-15 through 51-7-21 shall be applicable thereto, except that disapproval of such partial plans shall not terminate the organization of the district or the terms of office of the commissioners thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-106 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 3-106
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-106
Status: repealed

Sections 51-3-101 through 51-3-105 shall stand repealed after July 1, 2009.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.4 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-23.4
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.4
Status: in_force

Black Creek in Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Stone, George and Jackson Counties from Mississippi Highway 589 in Lamar County to its confluence with the Pascagoula River, which was designated as eligible for nomination under Section 51-4-17 , is designated as a state scenic stream and is included in the Mississippi Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-27 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 39 / Section 39-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-27
Status: in_force

(1) Any regulations or best management practices adopted by the board under this chapter, shall be no more stringent or extensive in scope, coverage or effect than the regulations and best management practices promulgated or recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

(2) If federal regulations or recommended best management practices do not address any matter relating to a storm water management system, the board may adopt or promulgate appropriate regulations or best management practices to address those matters.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-41 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 39 / Section 39-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-41
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to authorize a district to deny access to the storm water management system or any portion of that system to any person holding a valid water pollution control permit or coverage under a general permit from the Environmental Quality Permit Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-53 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 8-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-53
Status: in_force

Any area adjacent to any district created pursuant to this chapter may be annexed to and become a part of such district by the same procedure as prescribed for the original creation of the district. All costs incident to the publication of notice and all other costs incident to the hearings, election and proceedings shall be paid by the district.

The district shall have the exclusive right to provide any of the services for which it was created in the annexed territory; however, if any part of the annexed territory is then being served by another corporate agency with any such service, the district shall, at the option of the other corporate agency, either relinquish its prior right to serve the area occupied by the corporate agency or acquire by purchase the facilities of such corporate agency, together with its franchise rights to serve such area.

If the option is for the district to purchase, upon notification thereof, the district shall be obligated to buy and pay for, and the corporate agency shall be obligated to convey to the district, all its service facilities and franchise rights in the annexed area. Such property shall be acquired by the district in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, and the district shall have the authority to assume the operation of such entire system or facility and to assume and become liable for the payment of any notes, bonds or other obligations that are outstanding against said system or facility and payable from the revenues therefrom.

If the district is notified to relinquish its prior right to serve the annexed area, the district shall grant the corporate agency a franchise to serve within the annexed territory; however, the corporate agency shall be entitled to serve only such customers or locations within the annexed area as it served on the date that such annexation became effective.

The annexed territory shall become liable for any existing indebtedness of the district and be subject to any taxes levied by a local governing body under Section 51-8-43 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 8-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-21
Status: in_force

(1) The powers of each such district shall be vested in and exercised by a board of commissioners consisting of a minimum of five (5) members, to be selected in the manner provided in the initial resolution prescribed by Section 51-8-5 . Provided, however, there shall be at least one (1) member from each county within the district.

The resolution may provide that commissioners will be elected by the electors of the local governmental unit or units which they represent or that commissioners will be appointed by the governing body or bodies of the local governmental units which are members of the district. The resolution shall also prescribe the term of office, which shall not exceed five (5) years, and shall establish the length of initial terms, if staggered terms are to be used. Vacancies and unexpired terms shall be filled by the governing body of each local governmental unit.

(2) Notwithstanding the appointive authority herein granted to the said governing body, its legal and actual responsibilities, authority and function, subsequent to the creation of any such district, shall be specifically limited to said appointive function and the responsibilities outlined in Sections 51-8-1 , 51-8-5 , 51-8-7 , 51-8-9 , 51-8-11 , 51-8-13 , 51-8-15 , 51-8-31 , 51-8-33 , 51-8-35 , 51-8-43 , 51-8-45 , and 51-8-57 . The operation, management, abolition or dissolution of such district, and all other matters in connection therewith, shall be vested solely and only in said board of commissioners to the specific exclusion of said governing body, and the abolition, dissolution or termination of any such district shall be accomplished only by unanimous resolution of the board of commissioners. However, such board of commissioners shall have no power, jurisdiction or authority to abolish, dissolve or terminate any such district while such district has any outstanding indebtedness of any kind or character.

(3) After a district is created, a local governmental unit may withdraw as a member thereof only if:

(a) The district has no outstanding indebtedness of any kind or character;

(b) Withdrawal would not impair the district's water management plan or objectives;

(c) The withdrawing entity is not receiving benefits from the water management operations and activities of the district; and

(d) Withdrawal is approved by a three-fifths ( 3 / 5 ) vote of the board of commissioners.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-61 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 8-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-61
Status: in_force

Within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year, the board of commissioners shall publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the county a sworn statement showing the financial condition of the district, the earnings for the fiscal year just ended, a statement of the water and sewer rates being charged and a brief statement of the method used in arriving at such rates. Such statement shall also be filed with the local governmental units creating the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-107 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-107
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-107
Status: in_force

The Pat Harrison Waterway Commission, acting through its members who favor bringing the counties they represent into the Pat Harrison Waterway District, or other counties having Pascagoula River, Leaf River, Chickasawhay River, or Tallahala Creek tributaries, shall petition the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, to organize and establish the Pat Harrison Waterway District and shall set forth in the petition:

(a) The counties to be included in the Pat Harrison Waterway District. Each member of the Pat Harrison Waterway Commission, as created by virtue of Sections 51-15-1 through 51-15-9 , and any county through which the Pascagoula, Leaf, and Chickasawhay Rivers and Tallahala Creek run, or other counties having tributaries to such streams or which border on said streams, may be included in the district.

(b) The necessity and desirability for the developments and construction of suitable facilities.

(c) A general description of the purposes of the contemplated works, and a general description of the plan.

The petition shall be filed with as many copies as there are parties defendant.

The Board of Water Commissioners of the State of Mississippi shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the Board of Water Commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. Each county named in the petition shall be joined as a party defendant by service of process on the president of the board of supervisors thereof, and the chancery clerk shall furnish a copy of the petition to each such president. Whenever any municipality having a population according to the most recent federal decennial census of ten thousand (10,000) or more is included in such proposed district, such municipality shall be made a party defendant.

From and after July 1, 2023, any municipality located in a county that is not a member of the district may, by resolution spread on its minutes, request that the Pat Harrison Waterway Commission petition the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, to modify its decree organizing the district to include the municipality as a member of the district. The Board of Water Commissioners of the State of Mississippi shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the Board of Water Commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. The municipality applying for membership shall not be made a party defendant.

It shall not be necessary that any landowners in the counties or municipalities to be included in said proposed district be named in the petition, or be made parties defendant. The chancellor of the Chancery Court of Forrest County, Mississippi, shall have jurisdiction of the entire waterway district for the purposes of this article. Such jurisdiction may be exercised by the chancellor in term time or in vacation, as provided in this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-15 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 41-15
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-15
Status: in_force

The officers of the water authority shall consist of a chairman, vice chairman, a secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as the board deems necessary to accomplish the purposes for which the water authority was organized. All officers of the water authority shall be persons who receive water service from the water authority. The offices of secretary and treasurer may, but need not, be held by the same person. The treasurer or secretary-treasurer shall be required to execute a bond payable to the water authority, in a sum and with such security as fixed and approved by the board. All officers of the water authority shall be elected by the board and shall serve for those terms of office as specified in the bylaws.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-105
Status: repealed

(1) All powers of the district shall be exercised by a board of directors to be composed of the following:

(a) [Repealed]

(b) From and after January 9, 1996, the Governor shall appoint three (3) members of the Board of Directors of the Pat Harrison Waterway District from the district at large. No more than one (1) appointment may be made by the Governor from any one (1) county in the district. All initial appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than February 1, 1996, and no person appointed under this paragraph shall be an elected official or a county employee. All appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be for terms of four (4) years each or until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(c) From and after January 9, 1996, the board of supervisors of each county in the Pat Harrison Waterway District shall have an appointment to the board of directors of the district as follows: the boards of supervisors of the counties of Clarke, Covington and Forrest shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of one (1) year; the boards of supervisors of the counties of George, Greene, Jackson and Jasper shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of two (2) years; the boards of supervisors of the counties of Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale and Newton shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of three (3) years; and the boards of supervisors of the counties of Perry, Smith, Stone and Wayne shall each appoint a member from their respective counties for an initial term of four (4) years. All initial appointments made pursuant to this paragraph shall be made no later than February 1, 1996, and no person appointed under this paragraph shall be an elected official or a county employee. All appointments made pursuant to this paragraph after the initial appointments shall be for terms of four (4) years each or until a successor is appointed and qualifies.

(d) The directors appointed pursuant to paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection shall not discontinue any litigation pending on January 9, 1996, with respect to monetary payments owed to the district by any member county, and such directors shall pursue such litigation to a conclusion.

(2) Each director shall take and subscribe to the general oath of office required by Section 268 of the Constitution of the State of Mississippi before a chancery clerk, that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office, which oath shall be filed with the clerk and by him preserved.

(3) Each director shall receive a per diem in the amount established in Section 25-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972 , for attending each day's meeting of the board and for each day spent in attending to the necessary business of the district and, in addition, he may receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses thus incurred, upon express authorization of the board.

(4) The board of directors shall annually elect from its number a president and a vice president of the district, and such other officers as in the judgment of the board are necessary. The president shall be the chief executive officer of the district and the presiding officer of the board, and shall have the same right to vote as any other director. The vice president shall perform all duties and exercise all powers conferred by this article upon the president when the president is absent or fails or declines to act, except the president's right to vote. The board shall also appoint a secretary and a treasurer, who may or may not be members of the board, and it may combine those offices. Except as otherwise provided for in this subsection, the treasurer shall give bond in the sum of not less than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) as set by the board of directors, and each director may be required to give bond in the sum of not less than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) with sureties qualified to do business in this state, and the premium on such bonds shall be an expense of the district. The condition of each bond shall be that the treasurer or director will faithfully perform all duties of his office and account for all money or other assets which shall come into his custody as treasurer or director of the district. In lieu of the bonds required by this subsection, the board may authorize that the district purchase an equivalent amount of errors and omissions insurance for the treasurer and directors.

(5) Each director shall meet with the board of supervisors of the county from which he is appointed at least twice a year at reasonable times established by the board of supervisors.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 31-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-9
Status: in_force

In every county in this state in which there is now a drainage district and in which a drainage district may hereafter be created or be proposed to be created under this chapter, the board of supervisors of such county shall select three county drainage commissioners for such county. The term of office of each commissioner shall be six years and until his successor is selected and has qualified, with said terms expiring at two-year intervals to insure the selection of one new commissioner every two years. Any vacancy in office of a county drainage commissioner in any county may be filled by the board of supervisors at any regular meeting of such board, which board is given the authority to fill all unexpired terms of any commissioner in the county.

Every resident citizen of any county, being the owner of land in said county and over 25 years of age, of good reputation, and of sound mind and judgment shall be eligible to hold the office of county drainage commissioner in the county of his residence.

If any commissioner shall refuse or neglect to discharge the duties imposed upon him by virtue of this chapter, or shall neglect or refuse to qualify as such commissioner after being selected for such office, the other two commissioners shall proceed to exercise the duties of their office and the business of said drainage district until the next meeting of said board of supervisors, when the office of the party refusing to perform or qualify shall be filled by the selection of another party in his stead.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-2-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-2-3
Status: in_force

(1) It is unlawful for any person or vessel to discharge any type of plastics, including synthetic ropes, fishing nets, garbage bags and other garbage, including paper products, glass, metal, dunnage, lining and packing materials into the marine waters of this state.

(2) For purposes of this section, vessel means any boat, barge, or other vehicle operating in the marine environment from the largest supertanker to the smallest recreational craft.

(3) The following substances shall be kept in closed containers whenever present on a vessel in the marine waters of this state: fuel, oil, paints, varnishes, solvents, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, algicides, other hazardous liquids, and those substances referred to in subsection (1). The containers shall be sufficient to prevent the substances from escaping in the event the container is released into marine waters. Closed containers shall not be required for substances intended for human consumption, or for bait. Closed containers shall not be required while vessels are taking on or unloading cargo and provisions.

(4) This section shall not apply to substances released into marine waters accidentally or due to an act of nature, provided:

(a) That persons involved in an accident make good faith efforts to recover any substances released, proper allowances being first made for personal safety; and

(b) That snagged or entangled fishing tackle and nets are recovered as much as is reasonably possible, and the unrecovered remainder is caused to sink.

(5)(a) For a first violation, any person or vessel who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or community service requiring litter collection of not less than twenty-five (25) hours nor more than two hundred fifty (250) hours, or both. Persons under eighteen (18) years of age shall be penalized with community service, and may be assessed a fine as well. Each day of a continuing violation constitutes a separate violation.

(b) For a second or subsequent violation, any person or vessel who violates this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or revocation of boating licenses, or both.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-185 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-185
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-185
Status: in_force

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to waive the sovereign immunity of the State of Mississippi or the district, in whole or in part.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-125 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-125
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-125
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District is authorized to establish or otherwise provide for public parks and recreation facilities and for the preservation of fish and wildlife and to acquire land otherwise than by condemnation except as provided in subsection (f) of Section 51-9-121 , for such purposes, within the project area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-25 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 8-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-25
Status: in_force

Every resident citizen of a local governmental unit in any district created pursuant to this chapter, of good reputation, being the owner of land or the conductor of a business situated within such district and being over twenty-one (21) years of age and of sound mind and judgment, shall be eligible to hold the office of commissioner.

Each person appointed as a commissioner, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, shall be required to execute a bond payable to the State of Mississippi in the penal sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) conditioned that he will faithfully discharge the duties of his office; each such bond shall be approved by the clerk of the governing body of such unit and filed with said clerk.

Any commissioner who shall remove his residence from the local governmental unit from which he was appointed or elected shall be deemed to have automatically vacated his office.

Each commissioner shall take and subscribe to an oath of office prescribed in Section 268, Mississippi Constitution of 1890 , before the clerk of said governing body that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of commissioner, which oath shall also be filed with said clerk and by him preserved with such official bond.

The commissioners so appointed and qualified shall be compensated on a per diem basis for their services for each meeting of the board of commissioners attended, either regular or special, at the rates established by law for state boards and commissions. Commissioners shall also be reimbursed for all expenses necessarily incurred in the discharge of their official duties in such amounts as are allowed for members of state boards and commissions.

The board of commissioners shall hold regular monthly meetings and such other special meetings as may be called by the chairman or a majority of the commissioners.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-25 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 31-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-25
Status: in_force

Upon the petition being filed in the office of the clerk of said chancery court, said clerk shall cause three weeks' notice of the filing of said petition to be given, addressed “To all persons interested,” by posting notices thereof at the door of the courthouse of the county or counties in which the district is situated and in at least ten of the most public places in said proposed district, and also by publishing said notice at least once a week for three consecutive weeks in some newspaper or newspapers published in the county in which the larger part of said district lies, if there be any newspaper published in said county. Such notice shall state when and in what court said petition was and is filed, with the general description of the land included in the said proposed drainage district and the boundaries of said drainage district, and when the said petitioners will ask a hearing of said petition. If any of the landowners in said district are nonresidents of said county or counties in which said proposed district will lie, or nonresidents of this state, the petition shall be accompanied by an affidavit giving the names and post office address of said nonresidents, if known, and if unknown, stating that upon diligent inquiry their places of residence and post offices cannot be ascertained; and the clerk shall send a copy of the notice which has been published as above provided by registered mail to each of said nonresidents whose residence or post office is known, which notice shall be mailed by said clerk not later than five days before the date set for hearing of the petition. The certificate of the clerk, with registered letter receipts attached, or the affidavit of any other credible person affixed to copy of such notice shall be sufficient evidence of the posting, mailing, and publication of such notice.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-43 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 39 / Section 39-43
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-43
Status: in_force

This chapter, without reference to any other statute, shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the creation of a district. No proceedings shall be required for the creation of a district other than those provided for and required in this chapter. All the necessary powers to be exercised by the governing body of a county or municipality and by the board of commissioners of any district, in order to carry out this chapter, are hereby conferred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-17 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 8-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-17
Status: in_force

Any party having an interest in the subject matter and aggrieved or prejudiced by the findings and adjudication of the applicable governing body may appeal to the circuit court of the county in the manner provided by law for appeals from orders of such bodies. However, if no such appeal be taken within a period of thirty (30) days from and after the date of the adoption of the resolution creating any such district, the creation of such district shall be final and conclusive and shall not thereafter be subject to attack in any court.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.7 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 4-23.7
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.7
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , Red Creek from Mississippi Highway 26 in Stone County to its confluence with Black Creek in Jackson County, which was designated as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program under Section 51-4-21.5 , is designated as a state scenic stream and is included in the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-155 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-155
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-155
Status: in_force

The provisions of any other law, general, special or local, except as provided in this article, shall not limit or restrict the powers granted by this article. The water supply district herein provided for shall not be subject to regulation or control by the public service commission.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-9
Status: in_force

This article shall be considered supplemental and additional to any and all other laws, and confers sufficient authority in and of itself for the purposes set forth herein.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-30 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-30
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-30
Status: in_force

If the commissioners at any time either before or after the organization of the district find that other land not embraced within the boundaries of the district will be benefited by the proposed improvement or improvements already made, they shall assess the estimated benefit to such lands and shall specially report to the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, the assessments which they have made on land beyond the boundaries of the district, as already established. It shall thereupon be the duty of the clerk of the chancery court to give notice by two (2) weekly insertions in a newspaper published in the county where such lands lie, describing the additional lands which have been assessed. The owners of real property so assessed shall be allowed not less than ten (10) days after the last required publication of such notice in which to file with the clerk of the chancery court in writing their protest against being so assessed, or included within the district. The chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, shall, within ninety (90) days, investigate the question whether the lands beyond the boundaries of the district so assessed by the commissioners will in fact be benefited by the making of the improvement, and from its finding in that regard, either the property owner or the commissioners may, within twenty (20) days, appeal to the supreme court. If the finding is in favor of the commissioners, the limits of the district shall be extended so as to embrace any lands that may be benefited by the making of the improvement.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-47 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-47
Status: in_force

When lands are purchased by the board of drainage commissioners of any drainage district under the provisions of Section 51-33-45 , such land shall be liable thereafter for the state and county taxes levied and assessed against the same to the same extent as if such lands were owned by a natural person or private corporation. It shall be the duty of the tax assessor to assess such lands for taxes in the same manner as other lands are assessed; and if the taxes are not paid when due, it shall be the duty of the tax collector to sell said land for the delinquent taxes due and unpaid at the time and in the manner provided by law for the sale of lands for delinquent taxes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 31-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-21
Status: in_force

Whenever a majority of the owners of lands within a district proposed to be organized into a drainage district, who shall have arrived at lawful age and who represent one third in area of the lands in such proposed district, or whenever one third of the land owners in such proposed district owning more than one half of the lands in said district desire to organize a drainage district for the construction of drains or ditches across the lands of others for agricultural and sanitary purposes, or to maintain and keep in repair any such drains and ditches heretofore constructed, or to establish in said district a combined system of drainage or protection from wash or overflow for agricultural and sanitary purposes, and to construct and maintain the same by special assessment upon the property benefited thereby, such owners may file in the chancery court a petition signed by a majority of the owners of said land who own one third of the lands proposed to be included in said district, or by one third of the owners of said lands who own more than one half of the lands in said proposed drainage district to be organized as aforesaid, setting forth the proposed name of said drainage district, the necessity for the same, the description of the lands to be included in said drainage district, the names of the owners when known, together with the post-office address of such owners if the same can be ascertained, and may pray for the organization of a drainage district by a name to be given to the same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 7-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-21
Status: in_force

If the original plan was made only as to a part of the area within the master water management district, plans for any subsequent projects or works for the remaining area or any part thereof shall be submitted to the chancery court for approval in the manner provided herein, and all provisions and procedures of Sections 51-7-15 through 51-7-21 shall be applicable thereto, except that disapproval of such partial plans shall not terminate the organization of the district or the terms of office of the commissioners thereof.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-105
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District may hereafter be organized in this state under the provisions of this article, in the manner hereinafter provided. This water supply district shall be an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate, and may be composed of one or more entire counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-47 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 7-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-47
Status: in_force

Upon dissolution all powers of the district and its commissioners shall cease, except that any just claim, contract, or obligation shall not be impaired, and persons holding such claims shall, on notice of the dissolution as provided herein, file any such claim as they may have in the court; and the chancery court shall, upon the hearing for dissolution, pass upon such claims and order any assessment or levy as provided for other assessments to pay such claim in the event same shall be found justified, due, and owing by the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-25 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 7-25
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-25
Status: in_force

In addition to other powers provided in this chapter, the commissioners shall have power to adopt a seal of the district, which shall be judicially noticed; to fix the domicile of the master water management district; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of their powers; to adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of the chapter and the purposes of the district, if not inconsistent with the laws and constitution of this state; to sue and be sued in the name of the district; to employ such engineers, legal counsel, or other persons as may be necessary in accomplishing the work of the district; to obtain options upon and to acquire by purchase, exchange, lease, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise, or by the exercise of the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by the statutes of this state on eminent domain, any property, real or personal, or rights or interests therein reasonably necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; to maintain, administer, and improve any property acquired, to receive income from such properties, and to expend such income in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this chapter; to conduct surveys, investigations, and research necessary in carrying out the purposes of the chapter; to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any property or interests therein in furtherance of the purposes and provisions of this chapter; to construct, operate, and maintain works of improvement; to perform responsibilities in operating and maintaining all pre-existing works of improvement which, with the approval of the chancery court and the consent of the master water management district, may be turned over to such district; to accept, with approval of the chancery court, gifts and conveyances of land, easements, or rights of way owned by an existing drainage or water management district that are to be used by the master water management district for the purposes of the master water management district, on condition that the master water management district assume the responsibility for maintaining the works of improvement that are constructed on such lands, easements, or rights of way; to accept any moneys or services for carrying out the purposes of the district; to cooperate or enter into agreements with any agency, governmental or otherwise, or any person, firm, or corporation in carrying out the purposes of this chapter; and to do any and all things which are not inconsistent with the laws or constitution of this state in carrying out the purposes for which such districts were created in connection with projects and works of improvement carried out under Public Law 566, 83rd Congress, as amended or under other laws of the United States.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-53 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-53
Status: in_force

The treasurer of each county may be the treasurer of all drainage districts organized under this chapter in their respective counties and, as such treasurer, shall receive from the county tax collector, whose duty it shall be to collect all moneys levied by said drainage commissioners or by the board of supervisors at their request. Where a drainage district is organized lying in more than one (1) county, the board of commissioners of any such drainage district may select the treasurer of either or any county in which a part of the district lies, who shall be the treasurer of said district; or whether the district lies in one or more counties, the board of commissioners may select their treasurer and remove him at their pleasure, whose duty shall be the same as those of the county treasurers of such district. The board of commissioners shall compel such county treasurer or treasurers selected by them to give bond to them, as commissioners of said district, in an amount equal to the amount of any sum or sums of money likely to come into said treasurer's hand at any one (1) time, and said commissioners shall enter an order on their minutes fixing the amount of the bond of such treasurer. However, in the event that one (1) treasurer serves more than one (1) board of commissioners, in lieu of separate bonds, he may be required to give bond payable jointly to all commissioners served in an amount not to exceed three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00). The said board of commissioners shall, however, select a depository or depositories of the funds of the district and enter the selection on the minutes of the district. Such depository or depositories may qualify as depository of the district in like manner as required by the law on depositories, giving security as therein required, and may place with the treasurer of the district as security for such deposit any of the drainage bonds of the district for which it proposes to qualify as the depository.

The treasurer shall pay out no money save upon the order of the board of commissioners, and upon a warrant signed by the president thereof. If there be no depository, he shall be allowed a commission of not exceeding one-half of one percent ( 1 / 2 of 1%) on all receipts and not exceeding one-half of one percent ( 1 / 2 of 1%) on all disbursements; he shall not be entitled to any commission on money received from the sale of bonds, or of interest bearing certificates, or of any money paid in liquidation thereof. Said county treasurer or the treasurers selected by the commissioners shall keep a separate account with each drainage district; and every warrant shall state upon its face to whom payable, the amount, and the purpose for which it was issued. All warrants shall be dated and numbered consecutively in a record to be kept by the board of commissioners of the number and amount of each; and no warrant shall be paid unless there are in the treasury funds sufficient to pay all outstanding warrants bearing a lower number. No warrant shall be increased by reason of any depreciation in the market value thereof.

All funds coming into the hands of the treasurer belonging to any drainage district organized under this chapter shall be deposited in the depository provided for herein, to be drawn out by the proper parties and in the manner above provided. All tax collectors may pay drainage taxes into such depositories in the same manner as county funds are paid in, and shall be subject to the same protection as is provided for the protection of general county funds.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-117 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 33-117
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-33-117
Status: in_force

If it shall be made to appear to the court or chancellor in vacation on the hearing of any proceedings filed under Sections 51-33-105 through 51-33-121 that the district will have funds on hand after all of its debts and all expenses and court costs incident to said proceeding have been paid, then and in this event, the court or chancellor in vacation shall provide, order, and direct in the final decree dissolving said district that the said surplus shall be refunded among the landowners of said district on such pro rata, equitable, and just basis and terms as the court or chancellor shall find to be proper. After the final decree has been rendered by the court or chancellor in vacation in any proceeding instituted under said sections dissolving any drainage district, said district shall have no further existence and no further drainage taxes shall be levied against any of the lands embraced within the limits of said district. All of the unpaid benefits and assessments assessed against the lands in said drainage district for drainage purposes shall stand canceled, the lien therefor shall be unenforceable, and the court or chancellor in vacation shall so provide in the final decree rendered dissolving said drainage district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-105
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be liberally construed to promote the ditching, drainage, and reclamation of wet, swampy, and overflowed lands. The collection of assessments hereunder shall not be defeated by reason of any omission, imperfection, or defect in the organization of any district or in the proceedings occurring prior to the judgment of the court confirming assessment of benefits and damages; but said judgment shall be conclusive that all prior proceedings were regular and according to law. In case any assessment shall be held to be void for want of notice, the said commissioners may, upon motion, be permitted to give such owner due notice and ask for a time to be set by the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, for hearing any and all objections that said landowner may have to such proceedings and the assessment. The chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, at such time may make such orders in reference thereto as justice may require, and may assess such landowner his just proportion of the benefits received by him by such proposed work or the damages suffered by him by such proposed work; and thereupon such assessment as to such land shall be binding and conclusive.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-227 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-227
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-227
Status: in_force

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of the provisions of this act shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder thereof directly involved in the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-165
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-165
Status: in_force

(1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Ross Barnett Reservoir Dredging Fund. The fund shall consist of the monies deposited into the fund as provided in subsection (2) of this section and any other monies appropriated or otherwise made available for the fund by the Legislature. The fund shall be administered and expended by the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, upon appropriation by the Legislature, for dredging and other related activities to remove sediments and debris from the bottom of the Ross Barnett Reservoir.

(2) During fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Board of Directors of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District may deposit not more than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) of the lease payments, fees and other funds received by the district during the fiscal year into the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund.

(3) Unexpended amounts remaining in the Ross Barnett Dredging Fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-141 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-141
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-141
Status: in_force

Separate accounts shall be kept by the treasurer and depositories for such extended districts, so as to show receipts and disbursements from and on account of the land embraced in the district as originally formed, and also from the land embraced in the territory added to such districts.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-131 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-131
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-131
Status: in_force

To provide additional funds for the planning, undertaking, completing and maintenance of any special work or construction project in a county as part of the long range development of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District, the respective boards of supervisors may set aside, appropriate and expend moneys from the general fund which shall be placed in a depository of the district designated for such purpose as a special fund, and shall be used by the district for no other purpose.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-53 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 8-53
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-53
Status: in_force

Any area adjacent to any district created pursuant to this chapter may be annexed to and become a part of such district by the same procedure as prescribed for the original creation of the district. All costs incident to the publication of notice and all other costs incident to the hearings, election and proceedings shall be paid by the district.

The district shall have the exclusive right to provide any of the services for which it was created in the annexed territory; however, if any part of the annexed territory is then being served by another corporate agency with any such service, the district shall, at the option of the other corporate agency, either relinquish its prior right to serve the area occupied by the corporate agency or acquire by purchase the facilities of such corporate agency, together with its franchise rights to serve such area.

If the option is for the district to purchase, upon notification thereof, the district shall be obligated to buy and pay for, and the corporate agency shall be obligated to convey to the district, all its service facilities and franchise rights in the annexed area. Such property shall be acquired by the district in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, and the district shall have the authority to assume the operation of such entire system or facility and to assume and become liable for the payment of any notes, bonds or other obligations that are outstanding against said system or facility and payable from the revenues therefrom.

If the district is notified to relinquish its prior right to serve the annexed area, the district shall grant the corporate agency a franchise to serve within the annexed territory; however, the corporate agency shall be entitled to serve only such customers or locations within the annexed area as it served on the date that such annexation became effective.

The annexed territory shall become liable for any existing indebtedness of the district and be subject to any taxes levied by a local governing body under Section 51-8-43 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-13 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 39 / Section 41-13
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-41-13
Status: in_force

(1) The water authority shall have a board of directors composed of the number of directors provided in the application for reconstitution and certificate of incorporation, which shall not be fewer than five (5) directors. All powers of the water authority shall be exercised by the board or under its authorization.

(2) The directors shall be elected and determined, and shall serve in accordance with those procedures that the water authority may specify in its bylaws; provided, however, that each water or sewer user served by the water authority shall be entitled to vote on the election of directors of the water authority. The water authority's bylaws shall contain provisions and procedures for the election and appointment of its directors that are identical in nature to those same provisions and procedures as contained in the qualified corporation's bylaws, unless otherwise amended by the water authority or required by state law. A water authority shall promptly file a copy of any amendments to its bylaws with the Secretary of State. A water authority also may promulgate rules and regulations, not inconsistent with state law, containing provisions and procedures for the election and appointment of its directors.

(3) Each director shall take and subscribe to the oath of office prescribed in Section 268, Mississippi Constitution of 1890 , that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of director, which oath shall be maintained on file by the water authority. Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his office, each director shall be required to execute a bond payable to the State of Mississippi in the penal sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), conditioned that he will faithfully discharge the duties of his office.

(4) A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the powers and duties of the water authority. A director shall continue in office until the director's successor is properly elected and accepts office.

(5) The members of the board and the officers of the water authority shall serve without compensation, except that they may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in and about the performance of their duties.

(6) All meetings and records of the water authority shall be subject to the Mississippi Open Meetings Act and the Mississippi Public Records Act.

(7) All proceedings of the board shall be reduced to writing by the secretary of the water authority and appropriately recorded and maintained in a well bound book.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-133 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 9-133
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-133
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the district is hereby authorized and empowered to issue bonds of the district for the purpose of paying the costs of acquiring, owning, constructing, operating, repairing, and maintaining the projects and works specified herein, including related facilities, and including all financing and financial advisory charges, interest during construction, engineering, legal, and other expenses incidental to and necessary for the foregoing, or for the carrying out of any power conferred by this article. Said board of directors is authorized and empowered to issue such bonds at such times and in such amounts as shall be provided for by resolution of the said board of directors, not to exceed the limitation prescribed in Section 51-9-137 . All such bonds so issued by said district shall be secured solely by a pledge of the net revenues which may now or hereafter come to the district, by the pledge of the avails of the two mill ad valorem tax levy provided for in Section 51-9-131 , and by the pledge of the special tax levy of two mills provided for in Section 51-9-139 ; and such bonds shall not constitute general obligations of the State of Mississippi or of the counties comprising said district, and shall not be secured by a pledge of the full faith, credit, and resources of said state or of said counties. Bonds of the district shall not be included in computing any present or future debt limit of any county in such district under any present or future law. “Revenues” as used in this article shall mean all charges, rentals, tolls, rates, gifts, grants, tax proceeds, moneys, and all other funds coming into the possession of the district by virtue of the provisions of this article, except the proceeds from the sale of bonds issued hereunder. “Net revenues” as used in this article shall mean the revenues after payment of costs and expenses of operation and maintenance of the project and related facilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-143 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 13-143
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-143
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District is hereby authorized and empowered to negotiate and contract with the United States of America, or any agency thereof, concerning all lands, easements, and rights of way necessary for the relocation of any federal road, highway, parkway, or for the facilities appurtenant thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-55 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 8-55
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-55
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of any district created pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall have the authority to enter into cooperative agreements with the state or federal government, or both; to obtain financial assistance in the form of loans or grants as may be available from the state or federal government, or both; and to execute and deliver at private sale notes or bonds as evidence of such indebtedness in the form and subject to the terms and conditions as may be imposed by the state or federal government, or both; and to pledge the income and revenues of the district, or the income and revenues from any part of the area embraced in the district, in payment thereof. It is the purpose and intention of this section to authorize districts to do any and all things necessary to secure the financial aid or cooperation of the state or federal government, or both, in the planning, construction, maintenance or operation of project facilities.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-183 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 9 / Section 9-183
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-183
Status: in_force

The powers and authority of any reservoir police officer, whether appointed or commissioned pursuant to the provisions of this article or any former law of this state, may be terminated at any time by the board of directors of the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-37 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 8-37
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-37
Status: in_force

(1) The board of commissioners of any district created pursuant to this chapter may issue revenue or special improvement bonds of such district by resolution spread upon the minutes of such board. Bonds may be issued from time to time without an election being held upon the question of their issuance unless the board of commissioners of the district is presented with a petition for an election upon the question of issuance signed by twenty percent (20%) or fifteen hundred (1500), whichever is lesser, of the qualified electors residing within the district. The resolution authorizing any issue of bonds other than the initial issue shall be published in a manner similar to the publication of the resolution, as outlined in Section 51-8-11 . If an election is required, it shall be held in substantial accord with the election outlined in Section 51-8-11 . The cost of this election shall be borne by the district.

(2) All bonds shall be lithographed or engraved and printed in two (2) or more colors to prevent counterfeiting. They shall be in denominations of not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), and may be registered as issued, and shall be numbered in a regular series from one (1) upward. Each such bond shall specify on its face the purpose for which it was issued, the total amount authorized to be issued, the interest on the bond, and that such bonds shall never constitute nor give rise to a pecuniary liability of the district or local governmental unit or a charge against the general credit or taxing powers of the local governmental unit.

(3) Such bonds shall contain such covenants and provisions; shall be executed; shall be in such form, format, type, denomination or denominations; shall be payable as to principal and interest, at such place or places; and shall mature at such time or times, all as shall be determined by such board of commissioners and set forth in the resolution pursuant to which such bonds shall be issued. The date of maturity of such bonds shall not exceed forty (40) years from the date of the bonds, except that on special improvement pollution abatement bonds, special improvement water bonds, or special improvement water and sewer bonds, the date of maturity shall not exceed twenty-five (25) years from their date.

(4) No bonds shall bear a greater overall maximum interest rate to maturity than that allowed in Section 75-17-103 ; no bond shall bear more than one (1) rate of interest; each bond shall bear interest from its date to its stated maturity date at the interest rate specified on the bonds; all bonds of the same maturity shall bear the same rate of interest from date to maturity. All interest accruing on such bonds so issued shall be payable semiannually, or annually, except that the first interest payment may be for any period not exceeding one (1) year. No interest payment on bearer bonds shall be evidenced by more than one (1) coupon and neither cancelled nor supplemental coupons shall be permitted. The lowest interest rate specified for any bonds issued shall not be less than sixty percent (60%) of the highest interest rate specified for the same bond issue.

(5) Such bonds shall be signed by the chairman and secretary-treasurer of the commission with the seal of the commission affixed thereto; however, the coupons may bear only the facsimile signatures of such chairman and secretary-treasurer.

(6) Any provisions of the general laws to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds and interest coupons issued pursuant to the authority of this chapter shall be securities within the meaning of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code , being Section 75-8-101 et seq.

(7) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, bonds referred to hereinabove may be issued pursuant to the supplemental powers and authorizations conferred by the provisions of the Registered Bond Act, being Sections 31-21-1 through 31-21-7 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-3 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 15-3
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-3
Status: in_force

The Pat Harrison Waterway Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to do any and all things necessary and desirable in making a survey or surveys of the Pascagoula, Leaf, and Chickasawhay Rivers, the Tallahala Creek, and their tributaries in co-operation with the federal government and other agencies of the State of Mississippi; to promote the establishment of barge canals linking the cities of Meridian, Hattiesburg, Laurel, and other cities and communities along the Pascagoula, Leaf, and Chickasawhay Rivers, the Tallahala Creek, and their tributaries with the Gulf of Mexico. Each county represented on said commission, or two or more such counties acting in concert, pursuant to a plan to be approved by said commission, are authorized to improve all or any part of such waterways within said county or counties for navigation or flood control purposes.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-7 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 37 / Section 39-7
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-7
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Any single unit of local government or any combination of units of local government may create a district.

(b) If any unit of local government is located within an existing district, then the unit of local government shall petition the district to provide a service or function needed by the petitioning unit, if the service or function is one which the district has the power and authority to perform. Upon receipt of the petition, the district shall have ninety (90) days within which to respond affirmatively to the petition, setting forth its intent to meet the need or perform the service or function and its plan to meet the need or perform the service or function. If the existing district does not affirmatively respond in a timely fashion, then the petitioning unit of local government may form a district as provided in this chapter.

(c) The district may include any geographic area within the boundaries of any interested unit of local government.

(d) A district may be formed although adequate water supply, flood control, drainage or other water or wastewater management activities are being undertaken by one or more of the units of local government interested in creating a district or by another public agency existing and operating within the geographical area of the district.

(2) Creation of a district shall be initiated by ordinance or resolution duly adopted by the governing body of each unit of local government. The ordinance or resolution shall state: (a) the necessity for the proposed district; (b) the primary function of the proposed district; (c) the geographic boundaries of the proposed district within the jurisdiction of the unit of local government; (d) the names and geographic boundaries of any other units of local government proposing to be in the district; (e) the date upon which the governing body intends to create the district; (f) the estimated cost of projects to be conducted and maintained by the district; however the estimate shall not serve as a limitation upon the financing of any project or to invalidate any ordinance or resolution adopted under this section; (g) the name of a designated representative of the unit of local government to enter into an incorporation agreement with the other units of local government, if applicable; and (h) any other information reasonably necessary to inform the constituency of the unit of local government of the purpose and proposed obligations of the unit of local government and other units of local government, if applicable, proposing to create the district.

(3) The governing body of the unit of local government may hold a public meeting or public hearing on the necessity for creation of the district. The governing body shall provide notice in the manner provided under Section 51-39-9 of any public meeting or public hearing.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-27-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 26 / Section 27-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-27-1
Status: in_force

(1) The governor, on behalf of this state, is hereby authorized to execute a compact in substantially the following form with the State of Alabama; and the legislature hereby signifies in advance its approval and ratification of such compact, which compact is as follows:

TOMBIGBEE-TENNESSEE WATERWAY DEVELOPMENT COMPACT

Article I. The purpose of this compact is to promote the development of a navigable waterway connecting the Tennessee and Tombigbee Rivers by way of the east fork of the Tombigbee River and Mackeys and Yellow Creeks so as to provide a nine-foot navigable channel from the junction of the Tombigbee and Warrior Rivers at Demopolis in the State of Alabama to the junction of Yellow Creek with the Tennessee River at Pickwick Pool in the State of Mississippi, and to establish a joint interstate authority to assist in these efforts.

Article II. This compact shall become effective immediately as to the states ratifying it whenever the States of Alabama and Mississippi have ratified it and Congress has given consent thereto. Any state not mentioned in this article which is contiguous with any member state may become a party to this compact, subject to approval by the legislature of each of the member states.

Article III. The states which are parties to this compact (hereinafter referred to as “party states”) do hereby establish and create a joint agency which shall be known as the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority (hereinafter referred to as the “authority”). The membership of such authority shall consist of the governor of each party state and five other citizens of each party state, to be appointed by the governor thereof. Each appointive member of the authority shall be a citizen of that state who is interested in the promotion and development of waterways and water transportation. The appointive members of the authority shall serve for terms of four years each. Vacancies on the authority shall be filled by appointment by the governor for the unexpired portion of the term. The members of the authority shall not be compensated, but each shall be entitled to actual expenses incurred in attending meetings, or incurred otherwise in the performance of his duties as a member of the authority. The members of the authority shall hold regular quarterly meetings and such special meetings as its business may require. They shall choose annually a chairman and vice-chairman from among their members, and the chairmanship shall rotate each year among the party states in order of their acceptance of this compact. The secretary of the authority (hereinafter provided for) shall notify each member in writing of all meetings of the authority in such a manner and under such rules and regulations as the authority may prescribe. The authority shall adopt rules and regulations for the transaction of its business; and the secretary shall keep a record of all its business and shall furnish a copy thereof to each member of the authority. It shall be the duty of the authority, in general, to promote, encourage, and coordinate the efforts of the party states to secure the development of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Toward this end, the authority shall have power to hold hearings; to conduct studies and surveys of all problems, benefits, and other matters associated with the development of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway, and to make reports thereon; to acquire, by gift or otherwise, and hold and dispose of such money and property as may be provided for the proper performance of their function; to cooperate with other public or private groups, whether local, state, regional, or national, having an interest in waterways development; to formulate and execute plans and policies for emphasizing the purpose of this compact before the Congress of the United States and other appropriate officers and agencies of the United States; and to exercise such other powers as may be appropriate to enable it to accomplish its functions and duties in connection with the development of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and to carry out the purposes of this compact.

Article IV. The authority shall appoint a secretary, who shall be a person familiar with the nature, procedures, and significance of inland waterways development and the informational, educational, and publicity methods of stimulating general interest in such developments, and who shall be the compact administrator. His term of office shall be at the pleasure of the authority and he shall receive such compensation as the authority shall prescribe. He shall maintain custody of the authority's books, records, and papers, which he shall keep at the office of the authority, and he shall perform all functions and duties, and exercise all powers and authorities, that may be delegated to him by the authority.

Article V. Each party state agrees that, when authorized by its legislature, it will from time to time make available and pay over to the authority such funds as may be required for the establishment and operation of the authority. The contribution of each party state shall be in the proportion that its population bears to the total population of the states which are parties hereto, as shown by the most recent official report of the United States Bureau of the Census, or upon such other basis as may be agreed upon.

Article VI. Nothing in this compact shall be construed so as to conflict with any existing statute, or to limit the powers of any party state, or to repeal or prevent legislation, or to authorize or permit curtailment or diminution of any other waterway project, or to affect any existing or future cooperative arrangement or relationship between any federal agency and a party state.

Article VII. This compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each party state until the legislature or governor of each or either state takes action to withdraw therefrom; provided that such withdrawal shall not become effective until six months after the date of the action taken by the legislature or governor. Notice of such action shall be given to the other party state or states by the secretary of state of the party state which takes such action.

(2) There is hereby granted to the governor, to the members of the authority for Mississippi, and to the compact administrator all the powers provided for in said compact and in this section. All officers of the State of Mississippi are hereby authorized and directed to do all things falling within their respective jurisdictions which are necessary or incidental to carrying out the purpose of said compact.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-105 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 11-105
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-11-105
Status: in_force

The following provisions related to the Lower Pearl River Restoration Project (“project”) are contingent upon the development of an agreement, or an amendment to the existing agreement, between the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”), the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (“DWFP”) and the district, removing the district from the agreement, and possibly adding a new cooperating partner or partners and possibly removing the MDEQ and/or the DWFP from the agreement.

From and after July 1, 2018, the project, currently being managed as a joint effort of the MDEQ, the DWFP, and the district, shall continue as per existing agreements, which may be amended to reflect the dissolution of the district and its removal from those agreements. The obligations of the district under the current agreements for the project may be assumed by the MDEQ, or other entity, as the designated state entity for the continuing obligation of maintenance of the water control structures as set forth in the original agreements. The parties to the agreement may identify necessary maintenance activities needed to preserve the integrity of project structures and other ordinary maintenance activities as the parties may agree need to be performed. Funding to perform those maintenance activities shall come from the Lower Pearl trust account currently on deposit with a depository or depositories in the name of the Pearl River Basin Development District, which funds are a special fund set aside solely for the operation and maintenance of the project. From and after July 1, 2018, the parties to the agreement, may assume ownership, in trust, of those funds, and the funds shall be known as the “Lower Pearl River Restoration Trust Fund.” Monies from this fund shall be a special fund set aside for the purpose(s) set forth in the amended or reformed agreement between the parties and shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and may not be expended for any purpose other than operation and maintenance activities under the purview of the project.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-109 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-109
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-109
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Industrial Commission, acting through it members who favor bringing the counties they represent into the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, shall petition the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County to organize and establish the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District and shall set forth in the petition:

(a) The counties to be included in the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. Any county through which the Pearl River runs or which borders on the Pearl River may be included in the district.

(b) The fact that a preliminary report or study to determine the engineering feasibility of constructing a dam and reservoir in the basin of Pearl River has been made by a competent engineer or engineering firm and that such study or report shows that the construction of such facilities is feasible for water conservation or supply or for any of the other purposes or services contemplated by the legislative declaration of public policy in this article.

(c) The necessity and desirability for the construction of such facilities.

(d) A general description of the purposes of the contemplated works, and a general description of the plan including the lands to be overflowed or otherwise affected thereby, and maps or plats showing the general location of the reservoir and dam and related facilities. The word “project” when used herein shall mean the general plan and purposes of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, including its physical properties, as set out in this petition to the chancery court; and the words “project area” shall mean the physical location of the reservoir, dam, and related facilities as shown on the plats filed with the chancery court and shall include and be limited to an area of one mile from the shore line of the reservoir at high water. The words “related facilities” as used in this article shall mean the facilities indicated on said maps or plats filed with the chancery court or otherwise explained in the pleadings filed with the chancery court and shall include property, land, or areas of land adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, said reservoir or dam and within a distance of one mile from the high water mark of the proposed shore line of said reservoir as shown on said map, which may be acquired, owned, rented, leased, or sold by the district in connection with the recreational or industrial development and use of the project.

The petition shall be filed with as many copies as there are parties defendant. A copy of the preliminary report or study shall be attached to the original and each copy of the petition as an exhibit.

The board of water commissioners shall be made a party defendant, and the chancery clerk shall furnish the board of water commissioners with a copy of the petition with attached exhibits. Each county named in the petition shall be joined as a party defendant by service of process on the president of the board of supervisors thereof, and the chancery clerk shall furnish a copy of the petition to each such president. Whenever any municipality having a population according to the most recent federal census of ten thousand (10,000) or more is included in such proposed district, such municipality shall be made a party defendant.

It shall not be necessary that any land owners in the counties to be included in said proposed district be named in the petition, or made parties defendant. The chancellor of the chancery court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, shall have jurisdiction of the entire water supply district and project area for the purposes of this article. Such jurisdiction may be exercised by the chancellor in term time or in vacation, as provided in this article.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-59 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 8-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-59
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter, without reference to any other statute or statutes, shall be deemed to be full and complete authority for the creation of such districts and for the issuance of such bonds. No proceedings shall be required for the creation of such districts or for the issuance of such bonds other than those provided for and required herein. All the necessary powers to be exercised by the governing bodies of member local governing units and by the board of commissioners of any such district, in order to carry out the provisions of such sections, are hereby conferred.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-45 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 29 / Section 31-45
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-45
Status: in_force

As soon as practicable after the entry of the order organizing a drainage district, the drainage commissioners shall go upon the lands of said district, examine the same, and assess the benefits to be derived by each separate tract of land for the proposed work, putting down in dollars and cents the amount of such benefits to be derived by such tract. They shall also estimate and put down in another column the amount of damages, if any, that any of the owners of said land may, in the opinion of such commissioners, sustain by reason of the construction of such work over their land in such district; shall make an estimate of the costs of draining said district, apportioned to each tract of land; and shall make and file a schedule or assessment roll of the same, which shall be substantially in the following form:

Estimated

Name of

Description

Amount of

Amount of

Cost

Owner

of Land

Benefits

Damages

of Work

Assessment

Sub Div.

Sec. T.R.

________________

and acres

$_______________

$_______________

$_______________

$_______________

Provided that, for the purpose of providing funds with which to clean out, restore, repair and rehabilitate the whole or any part of the drainage system of such district or for the purpose of cooperating with the United States or any agency thereof in such works, there may be imposed a uniform assessment on each acre of unsubdivided land lying within the district, and a uniform assessment by lot on an acreage basis on subdivided land lying within the district, and the records required in this chapter shall show the amount of the assessment in lieu of the amount of benefits to accrue to each tract. Taxes levied hereunder are hereby declared to be taxes for maintenance purposes and shall not diminish in any manner the amount of assessed benefits in any such district which is otherwise available for the payment of any outstanding bonds of such district.

The assessments provided for in this section may be made even though evidences of indebtedness have been issued or validated or both prior thereto, but the lien of the holders of any such indebtedness shall not be impaired thereby.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.8 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 4-23.8
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-23.8
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , the Tombigbee River flowing through Itawamba County, which was designated as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program under Section 51-4-21.7 , is designated as a state scenic stream and is included in the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-11 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-11
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-11
Status: in_force

The grounds for revoking a well driller's license are:

(a) That he has intentionally made a material misstatement in the application for such license; or

(b) That he has willfully violated any provisions of this chapter; or

(c) That he has obtained, or attempted to obtain, such license by fraud or misrepresentation; or

(d) That he has been guilty of fraudulent or dishonest practices; or

(e) That he has demonstrated lack of competence as a driller of water wells; or

(f) That he has failed or refused to file reports as required under the provisions of this chapter; or

(g) That he has willfully and contumaciously refused to obey reasonable orders, rules, and regulations of the board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-145 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-145
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-145
Status: in_force

The Tombigbee River Valley Water Management District shall have authority to act jointly with political subdivisions of the state and agencies, commissions, and instrumentalities thereof, and with the federal government and other agencies thereof in the performance of the purposes and services authorized in this article, upon such terms as may be agreed upon by the directors.

The board of directors of the district shall have the authority to negotiate and contract with the Secretary of the Army under the provisions of public law 653, 85th Congress, or other applicable law or regulation written pursuant thereto.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-61 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 17 / Section 29-61
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-61
Status: in_force

All contractors shall be required to give a performance bond and a payment bond, which may be in one or in separate instruments, for the faithful performance of such contract as may be awarded them, with good and sufficient sureties in amounts to be fixed by the board of commissioners; and the board of commissioners shall not remit or excuse the penalty or forfeiture of said bond or bonds or the breaches thereof. The board of commissioners may appoint all necessary agents for carrying on the work and may fix their pay. They may buy all necessary material and implements as may be on hand and which may be necessary for the completion of the improvements under way, or which have been completed; and may in general, make all such contracts in the prosecution of the work as may best serve the public interest. It shall be the duty of the board of commissioners to have the amount of any work done by the contractor estimated from time to time, as may be desirable, by the engineer selected by the board of commissioners; and said board shall draw its warrants in favor of the contractor for not more than ninety per cent (90%) of the work so reported, reserving the remainder until it has been ascertained that the work has been completed according to contract, and is free from liens.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-125 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-125
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-125
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District is authorized to establish or otherwise provide for public parks and recreation facilities and for the preservation of fish and wildlife and to acquire land otherwise than by condemnation except as provided in subsection (f) of Section 51-9-121 , for such purposes, within the project area.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-59 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 31-59
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-59
Status: in_force

If on the hearing by the court or chancellor in vacation no written objections are filed, a decree confirming the appraisement shall be rendered. Upon payment of said amount to the chancery clerk for the party entitled thereto, the district may enter upon and take possession of said property and appropriate it to the use of said district; and the title to the easement thereof and thereover shall thereupon vest in said district. The clerk shall receipt upon said decree for the money paid, and said decree with the receipt of the clerk thereon shall be recorded in the records of deeds of the county in which the land lies. If written objections are filed on or before the time set for the hearing, the court or chancellor in vacation shall proceed to hear the objections filed and, on demand of the party making said objections, shall empanel a jury to determine the value of the land taken and the damage due the objector.

No decree pro confesso shall be entered against an owner or person interested residing in this state unless it appear that he has been duly served with summons at least two days prior to the return-day, and no decree pro confesso shall be rendered against any nonresident or unknown owner or person interested unless proper publication has been made.

At the hearing, the report and appraisement of the value of the land sought to be taken and the damages sustained by the owner thereof shall be prima facie correct.

The court or chancellor in vacation may, at such hearing, hear all objections in entirety or in severalty, may enter a decree confirming the entire report of the commissioners, or may enter any number of decrees confirming the report as to any land taken. At such hearing, the court or chancellor in vacation may direct the board to make such alterations in the appraisement as may be deemed just and equitable, by raising or lowering any appraisement; and payment of such amount fixed by the decree shall be made to the chancery clerk as hereinbefore provided. Said clerk shall receipt for same on the decree, and such decree with receipt thereon shall be recorded.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 37 / Section 39-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-1
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known and cited as the “Mississippi Storm Water Management District Act.”
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-9 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 8-9
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-9
Status: in_force

After the public hearing required by Section 51-8-7 and upon full consideration of all matters and facts presented at such hearing, each such local governmental unit shall make a finding that the public convenience and necessity requires the creation of the district and that the creation of the district is economically sound and feasible.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-79 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 31-79
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-79
Status: in_force

Where the lands of any drainage district lie in two or more counties of this state, the county drainage commissioners of the county in which the greatest or greater number of acres of land lies, and in which the suit is brought for the organization of the drainage district, shall have jurisdiction as county drainage commissioners under the chancellor or chancery court of the entire drainage district the same as if the entire drainage district lay in the county of their selection. In reporting to the board of supervisors levies of taxes to be made by the board for the payment of bonds and other obligations of the district, the county drainage commissioners having jurisdiction over such drainage district shall make report to the board of supervisors of each county in which any of the lands of the drainage district lie, showing all the lands and assessments thereon lying in such county. The board of supervisors of the county in which such lands lie shall make the required levies, and the tax collectors of the counties in which the lands lie shall collect the taxes thus levied and account to the treasurer of the drainage district therefor, as in other cases.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-33 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 8-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-33
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners may exercise, on behalf of the district, such powers of eminent domain as are specified in the creating resolution wherever and whenever public necessity and convenience so requires.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-41 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 33 / Section 39-41
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-41
Status: in_force

This chapter shall not be construed to authorize a district to deny access to the storm water management system or any portion of that system to any person holding a valid water pollution control permit or coverage under a general permit from the Environmental Quality Permit Board.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-181 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 9-181
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-181
Status: in_force

Each reservoir police officer commissioned under this article shall file a bond in the sum of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) with the district for the lawful and faithful performance of his duties. The cost of the bond shall be borne by the district. The filing of the bond shall not relieve the district from any civil liability it may otherwise incur in accordance with the provisions of Section 51-9-179 . The district shall indemnify and hold the State of Mississippi, the Commissioner of Public Safety, and any sheriff harmless from any and all liability which any or all of them might otherwise incur for the negligent or unlawful acts of a reservoir police officer.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 9-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-5
Status: in_force

The Pearl River Industrial Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to do any and all things necessary or deemed by it advisable in making a survey or surveys of the region bordering the Pearl River, to investigate the possibilities of developing such areas from an industrial, irrigational, and recreational standpoint, to attract new industries, and to conserve available water for irrigational and industrial purposes, acting in co-operation with the federal government or any agency thereof and with any other interested groups. It is contemplated that plans be considered and drawn and surveys made for the location of industrial sites and making the most advantageous use of available water supplies, to protect against pollution and to devise methods of disposing of industrial waste, and adapting a long-range plan of sewerage disposal for the area. The commission is charged with the responsibility of co-operating with the state board of water commissioners created by Section 51-3-15 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.7 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 4-21.7
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-4-21.7
Status: in_force

In accordance with Section 51-4-7 , the Tombigbee River flowing through Itawamba County is designated as eligible for nomination to the State Scenic Streams Stewardship Program.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 8 / Section 13-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-5
Status: in_force

The authority shall be financed in all of its activities from funds made available by each of the associated counties, and each such county is authorized and empowered to contribute any amount or amounts which the board of supervisors thereof shall deem advisable, acting in their sole discretion, to be paid from the general county fund of the respective counties.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 5-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-1
Status: in_force

(1) Every person, firm and corporation desiring to engage in the business of drilling and developing wells for underground water, including drilling any wells or boreholes that may penetrate water-bearing formations, in the State of Mississippi, shall file an application with the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality (commission) for a water well contractor's license, using forms prepared by the commission, setting out qualifications therefor and providing such other information, including test scores from any examination, oral or written, as may be required by the commission. Developing wells shall include the installation and servicing of pumps and well equipment, but shall not include the installation and servicing of above-ground pumps. The fee for such license and renewal thereof shall be One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each year.

(2) All licenses shall expire on June 30 of each year. Licenses shall not be transferable or assignable. A license may be renewed and shall be renewable without examination for the ensuing year by making an application not later than the expiration date, providing certification that the required continuing education units have been completed, and paying the applicable fee. Such application shall have the effect of extending the validity of the current license until the new license is issued or until the applicant is notified by the commission that the request for renewal has been denied. If an application has not been received by the commission by the expiration date, the license will expire and the licensee will be prohibited from performing any work for which the license is required until such time as the license has been reinstated. On application made after June 30 of each year, the license may be reinstated only upon compliance with all requirements for renewal, including payment of the applicable fee, plus a penalty of Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each month or fraction thereof the application is delinquent. Failure to request reinstatement within one (1) year after a license has expired may, in the discretion of the commission, be deemed a waiver of the licensee's right to reinstatement without examination; and if he should request reinstatement thereafter, the commission may require that he be considered a new applicant subject to all requirements for initial licensing including the requirement for examination.

(3) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a person who has not obtained a license pursuant thereto from constructing a water well on his own or leased property intended for use only in a single family house which is his permanent residence, or intended for use only for watering livestock on his farm, and where the waters to be produced are not intended for use by the public or any residence other than his own. However, such person shall comply with all rules and regulations as to the construction of wells as set out by the provisions of this chapter.

(4) Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a person who has not obtained a license pursuant thereto from constructing a water well on his own or leased property intended for use only for irrigating crops on his farm. However, such person shall comply with all rules and regulations as to the construction of wells as set out by the provisions of this chapter.

(5) This section shall not apply to any person who performs labor or services at the direction and under the personal supervision of a licensed well contractor.

(6) Any person whose license has been revoked may, upon application for a new license, be required, in the discretion of the board, to take the examination and in all other ways be considered as a new applicant.

(7) As used in this chapter, the terms “ State Board of Water Commissioners ,” “ board ” and “ commission ” mean the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-209 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 9-209
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-209
Status: in_force

All bonds (other than refunding bonds, interim notes and certificate of indebtedness) issued pursuant to this act shall be validated as now provided by law in Sections 31-13-1 through 31-13-11, Mississippi Code of 1972; provided, however, that notice of such validation proceedings shall be addressed to the taxpayers of any public agency (i) which has contracted with the district pursuant to this act and whose contracts and the payments to be made by the public agency thereunder constitute security for the bonds of the district proposed to be issued, or (ii) which is a member of the district. Such notice shall be published at least once in a newspaper or newspapers having a general circulation within the geographical boundaries of each of the public agencies to whose taxpayers the notice is addressed. Such validation proceedings shall be instituted in the First Judicial District of the Chancery Court of Hinds County. The validity of the bonds so validated and of the contracts and payments to be made by the public agencies thereunder constituting security for the bonds shall be forever conclusive against the district and the public agencies which are parties to said contracts; and the validity of said bonds and said contracts and the payment to be made thereunder shall never be called in question in any court in this state.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-137 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 7 / Section 13-137
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-137
Status: in_force

The board of directors of the district is hereby authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds of the district for the purpose of refunding any bonds then outstanding and issued under authority of this article, including the payment of any redemption premium thereon and any interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such bonds. The issuance of such refunding bonds, the maturity and other details thereof, and the rights, duties, and obligations of the board of trustees and of the district in respect to such bonds shall be governed by the provisions of this article, in so far as they are applicable. In no event shall such bonds mature over a period of time exceeding forty years from January 1, 1964.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-47 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 7-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-7-47
Status: in_force

Upon dissolution all powers of the district and its commissioners shall cease, except that any just claim, contract, or obligation shall not be impaired, and persons holding such claims shall, on notice of the dissolution as provided herein, file any such claim as they may have in the court; and the chancery court shall, upon the hearing for dissolution, pass upon such claims and order any assessment or levy as provided for other assessments to pay such claim in the event same shall be found justified, due, and owing by the district.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-21 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 29 / Section 29-21
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-21
Status: in_force

Such plans and specifications shall show not merely the location, width, and depth of the ditches, but also the work to be done in removing obstructions from water courses, the building of pumping stations, dams, flumes, floodgates, fences to protect the district, and such levees as may be necessary to protect the land from overflow. Whenever federal financial or other assistance is furnished in connection with the planning or construction of the proposed improvements, such plans and specifications shall be detailed only to the extent required by the federal department or agency responsible for furnishing such assistance.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-33 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 8-33
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-33
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners may exercise, on behalf of the district, such powers of eminent domain as are specified in the creating resolution wherever and whenever public necessity and convenience so requires.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-49 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 3-49
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-3-49
Status: in_force

In addition to any other remedies that might now be available, any person or interested party aggrieved by an order of the commission or of the permit board shall have the right to perfect an appeal to the appropriate chancery court in the manner set forth in Sections 49-17-41 and 49-17-29 .
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-1
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-1
Status: in_force

There is created the Pearl River Industrial Commission, composed of Hinds, Leake, Madison, Neshoba, Rankin and such other counties in the state through which or bordering which the Pearl River runs. The Governor shall appoint one (1) member to the commission from each county from a list of three (3) names to be submitted by the board of supervisors in each participating county. The three (3) names submitted by the board of supervisors of Madison County and the board of supervisors of Rankin County shall be the names of persons who reside on and are holders of residential leases from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District that are located in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, or who reside in established subdivisions in Madison County and Rankin County, respectively, in which some of the residential property of the subdivision is leased from the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District. In his appointment the Governor shall designate the chairman and vice chairman of the commission. Each member of the commission shall serve for a term concurrent with that of the Governor. The board of supervisors in any county through which or by which the Pearl River runs, other than those counties named above, may bring that county in as a member of the commission by resolution presented to the Governor; and the board of supervisors in such county may, in its discretion, call an election before taking such action, the election to be held as nearly as possible in the same manner other elections are held in the county.

The member appointed from Madison County who is serving on July 1, 2012, shall continue to serve until January 1, 2013, after which date the Governor shall appoint a member from Madison County who meets the residency requirements of this section. The person appointed under the provisions of this paragraph shall serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-5 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 2 / Section 5-5
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-5-5
Status: in_force

(1) In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the commission shall have, but shall not be limited to, the following powers:

(a) Make reasonable rules and regulations for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Prepare required forms and establish other procedures to govern the submission of applications, reports, and other information authorized to be sent the commission as required by this chapter.

(c) Prepare and give reasonable oral and/or written examinations for license applicants.

(d) Deposit all fees in a special fund for the implementation of this chapter.

(e) Enter upon and be given access to any premises for the purpose of inspecting water wells.

(f) Require and approve the completion of continuing education units for license renewal applicants.

(2) If the commission finds that compliance with all the requirements of this chapter would result in undue hardship, an exemption from any one or more of such requirements may be granted by the commission to the extent necessary to ameliorate such undue hardship and to the extent such exemption can be granted without impairing the intent and purpose of this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-103 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 3 / Section 15-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-15-103
Status: in_force

The Pat Harrison Waterway Commission may hereafter be organized in this state under the provisions of this article, in the manner hereafter provided for. This water management district shall be an agency of the state and a body politic and corporate, and may be composed and is composed of the following counties, to wit: Clarke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Newton, Perry, Smith, Stone, and Wayne. In addition, a municipality located in a county that is not a member of the district may join the district as provided in this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-47 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 5 / Section 8-47
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-8-47
Status: in_force

The board of commissioners of the district issuing bonds pursuant to this chapter shall prescribe and collect reasonable rates, fees, tolls or charges for the services, facilities and commodities of its system or systems; shall prescribe penalties for the nonpayment thereof; and shall revise such rates, fees, tolls or charges from time to time whenever necessary to insure the economic operation of such system or systems. The rates, fees, tolls or charges prescribed shall be, as nearly as possible, such as will always produce revenue at least sufficient to:

(a) Provide for all expenses of operation and maintenance of the system or systems, including reserves therefor;

(b) Pay when due all bonds and interest thereon for the payment of which such revenues are or shall have been pledged, charged or otherwise encumbered, including reserves therefor; and

(c) Provide funds for reasonable expansions, extensions and improvements of services.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-103 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-103
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-103
Status: in_force

Any district which has heretofore been organized, including swamp land districts, or which may hereafter be organized under other statutes, may become a district under the terms of this chapter as follows:

If a third of the landowners owning a majority of the acreage or a majority of the landowners owning a third of the acreage of real property within any such district shall petition the chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, to constitute them a drainage district under the terms hereof, the clerk of the chancery court shall give notice of the application by two weeks' publication in some newspaper published and having a bona fide circulation in the county or counties in which the lands of said district lie, stating the time when said petition will be heard and the object of said petition. All owners of real property within the district shall have the right to appear and contest the said petition, or support the same. The chancery court, or chancellor in vacation, shall hear the evidence and shall either grant the petition or deny the same, as he may deem it most advantageous to the property owners of the district and to the public benefit. If he grants the petition, the said district shall have all the rights and powers and be subject to all the obligations and provisions provided by the terms of this chapter. If the majority of the landowners or the majority of the owners of the acreage therein petition for the adoption of this chapter, the court or chancellor must make an order declaring that such district shall henceforth be governed by the terms of this chapter, and shall appoint commissioners according to its terms, who shall carry into effect without delay the proposed drainage improvements.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-157 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 27 / Section 29-157
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-29-157
Status: in_force

Said consolidated drainage district shall have the same authority, power and jurisdiction over the combined territory of said separate districts, and over the integrated system of drainage thereof, as if it were a district organized and existing under and by virtue of this chapter. Such district shall have the further and additional power, authority, and jurisdiction to assess said combined territory, or any part thereof, with additional benefits and to levy taxes thereon for the purpose of raising money to preserve the said integrated system of drainage thereof, to clean out, widen, maintain, extend, deepen, and maintain the main and lateral canals thereof, and to construct such other and new canals as the board of commissioners of said consolidated drainage district may find advantageous to the efficient drainage of the said combined territory. In the exercise of said authority, power, and jurisdiction, said consolidated drainage district shall not be bound by any assessment previously made in any of said separate drainage districts, and may assess the said combined lands with benefits without regard to any former assessment of benefits in any separate district. In making said assessments, levying taxes, and in exercising its authority, jurisdiction, and control, said consolidated drainage district shall, insofar as the same is not inconsistent with Sections 51-29-145 through 51-29-157 , follow the procedures which shall have the effect provided by this chapter.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-27 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 25 / Section 31-27
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-31-27
Status: in_force

The chancery court in which such petition shall be filed may hear the petition at any term thereof, or the chancellor of said court may fix a time to hear such petition at any time in vacation, may determine all matters pertaining thereto and all subsequent proceedings of the district when organized under this chapter, may adjourn the hearing from time to time, and may continue the case for want of sufficient notice or other good cause. If said petition shall prove defective in any manner, the petitioners, upon motion, shall be permitted to amend the same.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-153 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 1 / Section 13-153
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-13-153
Status: in_force

It is hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination that the overflow and inundation of sixteenth section lands or in lieu lands shall not constitute legal waste of such lands. The district shall pay a reasonable rental for the use of such lands to be overflowed, to be determined as provided by law in such cases. Any sixteenth section lands that have been flooded shall be reforested before this project shall ever be abandoned.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-17 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 35 / Section 39-17
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-39-17
Status: in_force

(1) Within thirty (30) days following the adoption of the final authorizing resolution or ordinance, the designated representatives shall proceed to incorporate a district by filing for record in the office of the chancery clerk of the participating counties and/or the clerk of participating municipalities, as the case may be, and the Secretary of State an incorporation agreement approved by each member. The agreement shall comply in form and substance with the requirements of this section and shall be executed in the manner provided in this chapter.

(2) The incorporation agreement of a district shall state:

(a) The name of each participating unit of local government and the date on which the governing bodies thereof adopted an authorizing resolution or ordinance;

(b) The name of the district which must include the words “__________ Storm Water Management District,” the blank spaces to be filled in with the name of one or more of the members or other geographically descriptive term. If the Secretary of State determines that the name is identical to the name of any other corporation organized under the laws of the state or so nearly similar as to lead to confusion and uncertainty, the incorporators may insert additional identifying words so as to eliminate any duplication or similarity;

(c) The period for the duration of the district;

(d) The location of the principal office of the district which shall be within the geographic boundaries of the district;

(e) That the district is organized under this chapter;

(f) The board setting forth the number of commissioners, terms of office and the vote of each commissioner;

(g) If the exercise by the district of any of its powers is to be in any way prohibited, limited or conditioned, a statement of the terms of that prohibition, limitation or condition;

(h) Any provisions relating to the vesting of title to its properties upon its dissolution which shall be vested in any member; and

(i) Any other related matters relating to the district that the incorporators may choose to insert and that are not inconsistent with this chapter or with the laws of the state.

(3) The incorporation agreement shall be signed and acknowledged by the incorporators before an officer authorized by the laws of the state to take acknowledgements. When the incorporation agreement is filed for record, there shall be attached to it a certified copy of the authorizing resolution or ordinance adopted by the governing body of each member.

(4) The incorporators shall publish a notice of incorporation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks in a daily newspaper or newspapers having general circulation throughout the area to be served.

(5) Upon the filing for record of the agreement and the required documents, the district shall come into existence and shall constitute a public corporation under the name set forth in the incorporation agreement. The Secretary of State shall issue a certificate of incorporation to the district.

(6) Upon issuance of the certificate of incorporation, the district shall be a public body corporate and politic constituting a political subdivision of the state with the power of perpetual succession and shall be deemed to be acting in all respects for the benefit of the people of the state in the performance of essential public functions. The district shall be empowered in accordance with this chapter to promote the health, welfare and prosperity of the general public.
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-185 — MS Code / Title 51 / Chapter 4 / Section 9-185
Miss. Code Ann. § 51-9-185
Status: in_force

Nothing contained herein shall be construed to waive the sovereign immunity of the State of Mississippi or the district, in whole or in part.