reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-35 - Sale of land after buildings destroyed; factors Secretary of State may consider in determining sales price for land

Where buildings and improvements situated on tax-forfeited lands have been removed or destroyed by fire, windstorm, or flood, the Secretary of State may, in his discretion, sell the tax-forfeited lands for any amount he may deem reasonable, irrespective of the amount of taxes for which the property was sold to the state. The Secretary of State, in determining the sales price for the land, may take into account the cost of cleanup and removal of debris from destroyed buildings and improvements situated thereon, or may contract with the purchaser for cleanup and removal of debris from destroyed buildings as part of the consideration for sale of the land.
Codes, 1942, § 4133; Laws, 1942, ch. 235; Laws, 2012, ch. 339, § 1, eff. 7/1/2012.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-37 - Application to purchase tax lands

(1)
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person desiring to purchase any state-forfeited tax land shall make application in writing to the Secretary of State for the purchase of the land, and shall state in the application:
(a)
A correct description of the land sought to be purchased.
(b)
The name of the former owner and the name of the person to whom the land was assessed at the time of the tax sale, and the post office address of the former owner and the post office address of the person to whom the land was assessed at the time of the sale, if known to the applicant.
(c)
Whether or not the land is occupied at the date of the filing of such application, and the name of the person occupying the land, if any.
(d)
The nature and value of the improvements on the land.
(e)
The approximate quantity of the merchantable timber on the land, if any.
(f)
Any other special information as the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Governor, may require.
Each application shall be signed by the applicant and shall contain a declaration that the statements and information submitted in the application are true and correct and are made under penalty of perjury. The Secretary of State may require any additional information with reference to the value of the lands, the nature and condition of the buildings and improvements on the lands, and the value of the timber on the lands as he may deem necessary. The applications shall be filed by the Secretary of State in the order in which they are received. Each application shall be given a serial number and shall be entered on a record book on the day it is received. The record book shall show the name of the applicant, the serial number of the application, and the county in which the property is situated.
(2)
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Governor, may dispose of any state-forfeited tax land by sealed bids after three (3) weeks' advertisement in a newspaper in the county in which the land is located.
(3)
The Secretary of State may sell state-forfeited tax land by online auction. The Secretary of State may enter into an agreement with an online provider to conduct any such sales by online auction. The Secretary of State may establish procedures and adopt administrative rules for the sale of state-forfeited tax land by online auction.
Codes, 1942, § 4079; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1942, ch. 235; Laws, 1994, ch. 583, § 4; Laws, 2003, ch. 331, § 1, eff. 7/1/2003.
Amended by Laws, 2022, ch. 345, HB 1131,§ 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by Laws, 2018, ch. 309, SB 2787,§ 1, eff. 3/5/2018.
Amended by Laws, 2016, ch. 414, SB 2111, 2, eff. 7/1/2016.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-39 - Contract for sale of tax lands

The Secretary of State with the approval of the Governor may contract to sell any state forfeited tax lands, including state lands lying within municipalities, even though said lands may have been subdivided into blocks, lots, divisions, or otherwise and sold to the state by such descriptions. The purchase price required in the contract for the sale of state forfeited tax land shall be the same as that required in direct sale of state forfeited tax lands. In the event the Secretary of State with the approval of the governor shall decide that any state forfeited tax land shall be contracted for sale, the Secretary of State with the approval of the governor shall fix a price for the sale of such lands. Said contract for the sale of such lands shall provide that a part of the purchase price shall be paid in cash, and that the balance of such purchase price shall be paid in equal annual installments extending over a period not to exceed five (5) years, said period to be fixed by the Secretary of State. The purchaser in said contract of sale shall agree that he shall pay all installments of the purchase price and all taxes and special assessments that may become due on said lands during the continuance or life of said contract, that he shall not cut any merchantable timber nor commit any waste of any kind on said land without the written permission of the Secretary of State and that he shall not allow any other person to cut any merchantable timber therefrom or permit any waste of any kind thereon until said purchaser has secured a patent from the state in accordance with his contract of sale. Contracts for sale of state forfeited tax lands shall not be transferred nor assigned without the written consent of the Secretary of State. All applications for contracts of sale shall be made on written forms prepared by the attorney general and approved by the Secretary of State and shall be kept on file in the office of the Secretary of State as public records. At such time as the purchaser shall have paid the entire purchase money under any contract of sale and shall have complied with all of the other provisions of said contract of sale, the Secretary of State shall issue a state land patent as in other cases of the sale of state lands.
Codes, 1942, § 4080; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1978, ch. 458, § 20, eff. 1/1/1980.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-41 - Unlawful to cut timber until purchase price is paid

It shall be unlawful for any person who has contracted to purchase any state forfeited tax lands to cut, sell, or dispose of any merchantable timber on said lands before the purchase price has been fully paid and a patent duly executed and delivered as provided in this chapter. Any person who shall cut, sell, or dispose of any merchantable timber on any such lands before the purchase price has been fully paid and a patent duly executed and delivered shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
Codes, 1942, § 4084; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-43 - Lands under contract for sale taxable

When any contract for the sale of state forfeited tax lands shall be made, as provided in Section
29-1-39
, such lands shall then become taxable in all respects and to the same extent and in like manner as where patents are issued, except that such lands under contract for sale shall not be sold for taxes while the state is the holder of the legal title. It shall be the duty of the land commissioner to give notice in writing to the clerk of the chancery court of the county in which the land is situated, and likewise the clerk of the municipality if such land be situated in a municipality, that such land is under contract for sale, giving the name of the purchaser and the price. The chancery clerk, and the municipal clerk where the land is located in a municipality, shall file said notices and enter the land upon the assessment rolls and shall clearly designate that such land is public land which has been contracted for sale. Such land shall thereupon be assessed for taxes as other lands are assessed, and the tax collector of the county, and the municipality where said land is located in a municipality, shall collect the taxes thereon as in cases of additional assessments, as provided by Section
29-1-83
, with reference to patents.
Codes, 1942, § 4081; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-45 - Cancellation of contract of sale

If taxes become delinquent on lands which are contracted for sale or on any part thereof, the tax collector shall, within thirty (30) days after such delinquency, certify such fact in writing to the Secretary of State and said tax collector shall neither advertise nor sell such land at a tax sale. If said land should be sold at a tax sale, the sale shall be void as against the state, and the state's title thereto shall not be affected by said sale. Likewise, if such a tax sale is made, the tax collector shall be liable on his official bond to the purchaser at said sale in the penal sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) plus all actual damages suffered by said purchaser. Within fifteen (15) days after receipt of notice from the tax collector that said lands are delinquent for taxes, or if no notice is given by said tax collector then within thirty (30) days after the Secretary of State ascertains that there is a delinquency in the payment of taxes on said land, the Secretary of State shall cancel the contract of sale and shall, within said period of thirty (30) days, inform the contract purchaser of such cancellation by mail at the post office address contained in the application. The said notice shall be given by registered mail with return receipt requested. The Secretary of State shall likewise immediately notify the clerk of the board of supervisors of the county in which said land is situated of the cancellation and the clerk shall report said action to the board of supervisors of said county, who shall have said land stricken from the assessment roll and also stricken from the tax sale list, if the same is contained thereon. The land shall then be re-entered on the record in the Secretary of State's office, the former entry of the contract of the purchase shall be marked "canceled" on the Secretary of State's records, and the land shall become subject to disposition by the Secretary of State in the same manner as if no contract of sale had been made. In case the Secretary of State should fail to give notice of the cancellation of said contract or should fail to cancel said contract within the time stipulated herein, the Secretary of State may cancel and give said notice of cancellation on any subsequent date. If said land is located in a municipality, the acts and duties provided herein to be performed by the clerk of the board of supervisors and the board of supervisors shall be performed in like manner by the municipal clerk and the governing authorities of said municipality.
Codes, 1942, § 4082; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1978, ch. 458, § 21, eff. 1/1/1980.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-47 - Purchase price forfeited

On the cancellation of the contract of sale, as provided in the preceding sections of this chapter, that portion of the purchase price paid by the purchaser shall be forfeited to the state as liquidated damages, and the contract purchaser shall lose all rights which he had under the contract of sale. If any waste has been committed or allowed by the purchaser on said land, said purchaser shall, in addition to the liquidated damages, be liable for all actual damages to said land.
Codes, 1942, § 4083; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-49 - Tax land may be sold to drainage district

The land commissioner, with the approval of the Governor, is hereby authorized to sell state forfeited tax lands lying within a drainage district to the board of drainage commissioners of such district in the manner provided by Section
51-33-45
.
Codes, 1942, § 4085; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-51 - Tax land may be sold to municipality

The Secretary of State, with the approval of the Governor, is hereby authorized to sell state forfeited tax lands situated within the corporate limits of a municipality to the governing authorities of such municipality in the manner provided by law. If a municipality makes an application to purchase those lands, the municipality shall have priority over all other applicants except the original owner, his heirs or assigns.
As an alternative method to disposing of tax lands situated within a municipality, the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Governor, may transfer those lands to the municipality, which then may retain or dispose of the lands as provided by law.
Codes, 1942, § 4086; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1994, ch. 583, § 5, eff. 7/1/1994.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-53 - Sale of tax; forfeited improvements

Where one party owns lands and another owns the improvements thereon, and the lands and improvements are assessed separately and the improvements are sold to the state for nonpayment of taxes, the state land commissioner shall have authority to sell and dispose of said improvements by patent under the same terms and conditions that he may dispose of tax-forfeited lands.
Codes, 1942, § 4129; Laws, 1942, ch. 235.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-55 - Sale of tax-forfeited timber

Where timber standing on lands is assessed to persons other than those owning the fee title to the lands, and the taxes thereon are not paid and such timber is sold to the state for nonpayment of taxes, the Secretary of State may sell and dispose of such timber rights in the same manner as he may sell and dispose of tax-forfeited lands, and the proceeds received by said Secretary of State for the sale thereof shall be divided between the state, county, levee board, and drainage district as provided by law for the disposition of the proceeds derived from the sale of tax-forfeited lands. The owner in fee of lands may purchase from the state any tax-forfeited timber rights on lands owned by him in fee, regardless of the amount of lands that he may own.
Codes, 1942, § 4131; Laws, 1942, ch. 235; Laws, 1997, ch. 412, § 2; Laws, 2001, ch. 517, § 4, eff. 3/30/2001.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-57 - Sale of buildings, personal property and land associated with tax lands; factors Secretary of State may consider in determining sale price for land

Where tax-forfeited lands have situated thereon buildings or personal property which are deteriorating, the Secretary of State may sell and dispose of the buildings, personal property and land for any consideration he may deem reasonable, irrespective of the amount of taxes for which same was sold. Where the buildings or personal property have deteriorated to the condition they are unsafe or constitute a nuisance, the Secretary of State, in determining the sales price for the land, may take into account the cost of cleanup and removal of the buildings and personal property situated thereon, or may contract with the purchaser for cleanup and removal of the buildings and personal property as part of the consideration for sale of the land.
Codes, 1942, § 4132; Laws, 1942, ch. 235; Laws, 1994, ch. 583, § 6; Laws, 2012, ch. 339, § 2, eff. 7/1/2012.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-59 - Sale price of swamp and overflowed lands

The minimum sale price of the swamp and overflowed lands is one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) per acre, and the land commissioner may sell them at that price unless the governor and land commissioner deem any of said lands to be worth more than said sum, in which event it will be their duty to fix the price of such of said lands at what they shall believe the interest of the state to require. When the price has been so fixed, it shall be entered of record on the register containing the list of such lands for sale, and shall not be reduced within two (2) years thereafter nor sold at any other price, until changed in like manner.
Codes, 1892, § 2574; 1906, § 2912; Hemingway's 1917, § 5247; 1930, § 6030; 1942, § 4112.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-61 - Sale price of internal improvement lands

The internal improvement lands may be sold by the land commissioner at the same price as the swamp and overflowed lands, subject to be fixed in the same manner and under like regulations.
Codes, 1892, § 2575; 1906, § 2913; Hemingway's 1917, § 5248; 1930, § 6031; 1942, § 4113.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-63 - Sale price of Chickasaw school lands

The Chickasaw school lands are to be sold by the land commissioner at the price of not less than Six Dollars ($6.00) per acre unless said lands are situated in a levee district outside of and unprotected by the levees, in which case they shall be sold for not less than One and Twenty-five Hundredths Dollars ($1.25) per acre.
Codes, 1892, § 2576; 1906, § 2914; Hemingway's 1917, § 5249; 1930, § 6032; 1942, § 4121.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-65 - Sale price of other lands

(1)
(a)
All lands fallen or falling to the state by escheat, or coming to it in any other manner; all lands belonging to the State of Mississippi which were ceded to the State of Mississippi by the United States government for a seat of government which are located in Pearl River swamp and subject to overflow, and all other seat of government lands which have been surveyed into blocks and lots in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, which were a part of the original lands ceded by the federal government to the State of Mississippi for a seat of government and which have never been disposed of by the State of Mississippi; and all accretions near the mouth of the Pascagoula River, heretofore surveyed by the state; and all other lands within the borders of the state, not belonging to the United States nor owned by another, are property of the state and are to be managed and disposed of through the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State, with the approval of the Governor, may sell any of such lands, (except as otherwise provided in this chapter), at the same price as the swamp and overflow lands, subject to be fixed in the same manner and under like regulations.
(b)
Provided that all lands belonging to the State of Mississippi which were ceded to the State of Mississippi by the United States government for a seat of government which are located in Pearl River swamp and subject to overflow, and all other seat of government lands which have been surveyed into blocks and lots in the City of Jackson, Mississippi, which were a part of the original lands ceded by the federal government to the State of Mississippi for a seat of government and which have never been disposed of by the State of Mississippi, shall not be sold by the Secretary of State, with the approval of the Governor, unless and until the Legislature by legislative act shall have approved the sale of such seat of government lands, or any part thereof.
(2)
If, subsequent to the sale of lands specified in this section, the State of Mississippi shall purchase or otherwise reacquire such lands, the lands so acquired shall return to its previous status and be known as lands originally ceded to the State of Mississippi by the United States government for a seat of government.
Codes, 1892, § 2580; 1906, § 2919; Hemingway's 1917, § 5254; 1930, § 6034; 1942, § 4123; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1948, ch. 490; Laws, 2008, ch. 465, § 1, eff. 7/1/2008.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-67 - Sale of lands in municipalities

Land situated within municipalities which has once been patented either by the United States government or the State of Mississippi, and the title to which has thereafter, by escheat, tax sale, or otherwise become vested in the State of Mississippi, may be sold or contracted for sale by the land commissioner, with the approval of the governor, at such price and under such terms and conditions as they may fix, even though it may have been subdivided into lots, blocks, divisions, or otherwise and escheated, or was sold to the state by such description. In selling such lands and the improvements thereon, if any, the land commissioner shall take into consideration the location thereof and the improvements situated thereon, and may ask and obtain greater prices therefor than for other lands.
Codes, 1930, § 6035; 1942, § 4124; Laws, 1926, ch. 185; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-69 - Sale of certain lands sold by municipalities

Lands situated in municipalities which have heretofore escheated to or titles thereto become vested in the state, and which have been sold by the land commissioner of the state at a fair and reasonable price but under invalid patents, may be conveyed to the original holder of the patents or, if he has sold same, to his vendee at such reasonable price as the land commissioner with the approval of the governor and the attorney general shall fix; and such purchaser shall be allowed as credit on such price the amount heretofore paid therefor, with six percent (6%) interest compounded annually on the same not to exceed the present value as fixed by such officers. And no land heretofore sold, or attempted to be sold, shall again be sold until a period of thirty (30) days after the mailing of notice by registered mail to the original buyer or his vendee, if his post-office address is known, informing such buyer or his vendee of his rights hereunder. Whenever the post office address of such person is not known, notice shall be published in a newspaper published in the county where the land is located, once a week for two (2) weeks, giving a description of such land and of the rights of such buyers or their vendees. No deed shall be made to such buyer or his vendee until such person shall make affidavit that he bought the same in good faith and has not since sold his interest therein.
Codes, 1930, § 6036; 1942, § 4125; Laws, 1926, ch. 185; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-71 - Sale of lands for municipal defense projects

When it is sufficiently shown to the Governor and Secretary of State that any tax-forfeited or escheated lands owned by the state, whether within or without the corporate limits of any municipality if located within ten (10) miles thereof, are needed by any municipality in connection with any national defense project which such municipality is sponsoring, the Secretary of State with the approval of the Governor is hereby authorized to sell on an acreage basis any such lands so owned by the state to any municipality, without limit as to quantity or manner in which such land is subdivided, for such price as the Secretary of State with the approval of the Governor may fix. Provided, however, that the minimum price for such land shall be One Dollar ($1.00) per acre. The conveyance of such lands by the state shall be by patent executed by the Secretary of State under the seal of the land office, which patent shall contain all of the lands sold, and such patent shall convey to the municipality a fee simple title to the lands therein described.
In the event the price for which such land is sold is not sufficient to pay the fees and costs allowed to the county tax collector and chancery clerk, as in cases of the redemption of lands for tax sales, under the provisions of Section
25-7-21
, Mississippi Code of 1972, the Secretary of State shall apportion the purchase money derived from the sale of such lands hereunder between the county tax collector and chancery clerk upon the basis of the amount of fees due each of them, and the sum thus allotted shall be paid in the manner provided in Section
29-1-95
, Mississippi Code of 1972, and shall be in full settlement of all fees due such officers.
Municipalities buying lands hereunder shall not be required to file the application required by Section
29-1-37
, Mississippi Code of 1972, and such application as the municipality may file to purchase land hereunder may be promptly acted upon by the Governor and Secretary of State.
Codes, 1942, § 4126; Laws, 1942, ch. 171; Laws, 1990, ch. 420, § 1, eff. 7/1/1990.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-73 - Quantity purchased by one person

One person may purchase or contract to purchase as much as one-quarter (1/4) section of the public lands in one year, and no more (except Lowry Island lands, which are not to be limited as to amount purchased); and all lands acquired, directly or indirectly, by any person in contravention of this chapter shall escheat to the state, and all moneys and fees paid therefor shall be forfeited.
The restrictions herein contained limiting to one-quarter (1/4) section the quantity of land which may be purchased by any person in one (1) year shall not apply in any manner to the original owner or mortgagee of state forfeited tax lands at the time title matured in the state, nor to his heirs, executors, or administrators; nor shall such restriction apply to the board of drainage commissioners of any drainage district in the purchase of lands situated in such drainage district, as provided in Section
51-33-45
, nor to the United States government in the purchase of lands under the provisions of Section
3-5-11
, or under the provisions of other laws authorizing the sale of such lands to the United States government.
Codes, 1892, § 2564; 1906, § 2902; Hemingway's 1917, § 5237; 1930, § 6026; 1942, §§ 4088, 4108; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1942, ch. 235.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-77 - Sale or lease to highway commission

The land commissioner with the approval of the Governor is hereby authorized to sell, lease, or donate to the State Highway Commission or to any county or counties or the Natchez Trace Commission, for right of way purposes or for road material used or useful in the construction or maintenance of state, federal, and county highways, any of the public lands of the state, regardless of the quantity of said lands.
Codes, 1942, § 4092; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-79 - How purchase money paid

The Secretary of State shall receive the purchase money of lands, which purchase money shall be paid into the Treasury. In the event a patent has not been finally completed within thirty (30) days after purchase money has been paid to the Secretary of State, then, upon written request to the Secretary of State by the party making the application to purchase state land, there shall be refunded all money, less fees provided under this chapter, paid upon the application to purchase state land. The Secretary of State shall issue a warrant upon the State Treasurer for the sum of money to be refunded; the warrant shall be paid as all other warrants are paid. The application upon which any money is refunded shall be void, and no patent shall be granted thereon.
Codes, 1892, § 2582; 1906, § 2921; Hemingway's 1917, § 5256; 1930, § 6041; 1942, §§ 4089, 4138; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1940, ch. 212.
Amended by Laws, 2015, ch. 305, HB 738, 1, eff. 7/1/2015.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-81 - Issuance of patents and contracts

(1)
All conveyances of land by the state in fee shall be by patent issued from the Secretary of State's office; every patent issued shall be under the great seal, signed by the Secretary of State.
(2)
(a)
The patent shall be issued by the Office of the Secretary of State and delivered to the patentee. A copy thereof shall be retained by the Secretary of State among the records of his office.
(b)
The Secretary of State may file the original patent with the chancery clerk and such filing shall constitute the delivery of the patent to the patentee. Prior to filing the original patent, the Secretary of State shall collect from the patentee a fee in an amount equal to the fee provided for in Section
25-7-9(1)(b)
to cover the cost of filing the patent. Failure of the Secretary of State to file the patent shall not affect its validity.
(3)
All contracts of sale of public lands shall be issued from the Secretary of State's office in duplicate; and every contract issued shall be under the great seal, signed by the Secretary of State and countersigned by the Governor.
(4)
No more than one-quarter (1/4) section of land shall be embraced in the same patent or contract, except as otherwise provided by law.
Codes, 1892, § 2561; 1906, § 2899; Hemingway's 1917, § 5234; 1930, § 6024; 1942, § 4106; Laws, 1936, ch. 174; Laws, 1942, ch. 235; Laws, 1978, ch. 458, § 22; Laws, 1990, ch. 420, § 2; Laws, 2003, ch. 331, § 2, eff. 7/1/2003.
Amended by Laws, 2020, ch. 358, HB 1332,§ 1, eff. 6/25/2020.
Amended by Laws, 2016, ch. 414, SB 2111, 4, eff. 7/1/2016.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-83 - Land sold by the state to be assessed for taxes

When a patent shall issue for public lands, the land commissioner shall notify the clerk of the chancery court and the tax assessor of the county in which it is situated of the fact, giving the name of the patentee, a description of the land, and the price per acre. Said land shall, after January 1st of the next year after issuance of patents, be assessed for taxes as other lands are.
Codes, 1892, § 2573; 1906, § 2911; Hemingway's 1917, § 5246; 1930, § 6025; 1942, § 4107; Laws, 1942, ch. 235.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-85 - Failure of title to public lands

If the title to any public land sold by the state through the State Fiscal Officer or Secretary of State or by any municipality, except land forfeited to the state for the nonpayment of ad valorem taxes, shall fail, or shall have failed, the state or the municipality, as the case may be, shall refund the purchase-money to its vendee or his heirs or assigns; and if no profits have been received from the lands, then all taxes shall be returned also, and all fees paid, with interest at six percent (6%) per annum. Except as provided in this chapter, the question of failure of title can only be determined in a suit filed in the county in which the land is situated, and the Secretary of State or the municipality, as the case may be, shall be made a party to the suit. Where the failure of title shall have been caused by the cancellation of a contract or a patent issued by the state, or a deed from the municipality, under the requirements of any law or decree of a chancery court of this state, directing cancellation in favor of prior purchasers, or through the failure of the state's title, or the title of the municipality, as the case may be, where the failure shall have been caused by the striking of the land from the state land rolls under the requirements of any law of this state, the failure of title so caused shall not be required to be determined by decree of court.
Codes, 1892, § 2588; 1906, § 2927; Hemingway's 1917, § 5262; 1930, § 6045; 1942, §§ 4134, 4142; Laws, 1900, ch. 65; Laws, 1942, ch. 235; Laws, 1948, ch. 494, § 1.
Amended by Laws, 2018, ch. 309, SB 2787,§ 2, eff. 3/5/2018.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-89 - Certain entries cancelled

If it appear to the land commissioner that any land has been sold and patented to several parties, he shall report the facts to the legislature, with information of the amount of purchase-money to be refunded, and ask for an appropriation therefor if, in his opinion, the state had received and ought to refund anything.
Codes, 1892, § 2585; 1906, § 2924; Hemingway's 1917, § 5259; 1930, § 6048; 1942, § 4146.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-91 - Taxes remain a charge on redeemed land

If the state's title to any land certified into the land office fail, and the land be reclaimed or redeemed before or after sale by the state, the taxes for which it was sold and the taxes for each subsequent year and all officers' fees shall remain and become a charge upon the land as if it had been regularly assessed to the owner in each of said years.
If the title to any land purchased by any municipality under any provisions of Sections
21-33-69
,
21-33-73
, or
21-37-49
shall fail, and the land be reclaimed before or after any sale by the municipality, the municipal, municipal separate school, and/or special improvement or other taxes for which it was sold, and any and all of such taxes for any subsequent year, and all officers' fees shall remain and become a charge upon such land, subordinate only to state and county taxes, as if it had been regularly assessed to the owner in each of said years.
Codes, 1892, § 3869; 1906, § 4376; Hemingway's 1917, § 7015; 1930, § 6043; 1942, § 4140; Laws, 1948, ch. 494, § 2.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-93 - Fees of county officers

The fees of all county officers allowed by law in connection with land sold to the state for taxes shall be paid by the state when such land shall be sold by the state. Upon such sale the land commissioner shall carefully calculate said fees and shall certify the same to the auditor who, if he finds the same correct, shall issue his warrants therefor to the proper persons; provided, that said fees shall lapse as to any land not sold within ten (10) years after the period of redemption has expired.
Codes, 1892, § 3868; 1906, § 4375; Hemingway's 1917, § 7014; 1930, § 6042; 1942, § 4139; Laws, 1940, ch. 130.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-97 - Lien of drainage district or municipality not abated

When any land is situated in a drainage district and is subject to any special drainage district assessment which is secured by a lien on said land, such lien shall not be abated or cancelled on account of the sale of such land to the state for delinquent taxes, but such lien shall be held in abeyance during the period the property is owned by the state and, immediately upon the title to the land passing from the state by virtue of a sale, such lien shall again become effective. And, likewise, when any land is situated in a municipality and is subject to any special municipal benefit assessment which is secured by a lien on the land, such lien shall not be abated or cancelled on account of the sale of such land to the state for delinquent taxes, but such lien shall be held in abeyance during the period such property is owned by the state and, immediately upon the title to the state passing from the state by virtue of a sale, such lien shall again become effective.
Codes, 1942, § 4090; Laws, 1936, ch. 174.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-99 - Easements for flood control, etc

The land commissioner of the State of Mississippi, with the approval of the governor, is hereby authorized and empowered to grant or donate easements in and to the public lands of the state to any drainage district, flood control district, or to any county in this state, or to the United States or to any agency thereof, for the construction and the maintenance of flood control canals and ditches, or drainage canals and ditches, or other flood control or drainage instrumentalities.
Codes, 1942, § 4114; Laws, 1940, ch. 211.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-101 - Easements for pipe lines

The Secretary of State, for and on behalf of the state, may convey an easement or easements for the construction and maintenance of pipe lines in, on, under, and across all of the state land owned (including that submerged or wherever the tide may ebb and flow) now or hereafter acquired, excepting, however, state highway rights-of-way, sixteenth section school land, lieu lands, and forfeited tax land and property the title to which is subject to any lawful redemption, and excepting the state land comprising the old asylum property located in the City of Jackson, property of the Department of Mental Health, the Parchman Penitentiary property located in Sunflower County, Mississippi, and all other Penitentiary property, to any person, firm, or corporation constructing or operating a refinery for the refining of oil, gas, or petroleum products in the state, or to any person, firm, or corporation transporting by pipe line any substance to or from any such refinery in this state, for such consideration as the Secretary of State deems just and proper, which shall be subject to approval by the Secretary of State, the Governor, and the Attorney General of the state, for easements in, on, under, and across the state-owned land.
Codes, 1942, § 4114-01; Laws, 1962, ch. 617, § 1; Laws, 2008, ch. 442, § 12, eff. 7/1/2008.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-103 - Liability for damages in construction of pipe lines

No such pipe line shall be built or constructed in a manner to be dangerous to persons or property, nor in a manner to interfere with the common use of public lands, and the owner of any such pipe line shall be responsible in damages for any injury caused by construction or use of such pipe line.
Codes, 1942, § 4114-02; Laws, 1962, ch. 617, § 2, eff. 3/13/1962.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-105 - Restrictions on construction or use of pipe lines

The right to construct or use any such pipe line in, on, under, or across land which is submerged or whereover the tide may ebb and flow shall be subject to the following:
(a)
The paramount right of the United States to control commerce and navigation; and
(b)
The right of the public to make free use of the waters; and
(c)
The restrictions and prohibitions contained in Section 81 of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890.
Codes, 1942, § 4114-03; Laws, 1962, ch. 617, § 3, eff. 3/13/1962.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-109 - Fees or commissions prohibited for collecting rent on state-owned property

It shall be unlawful for any officer or employee of the State of Mississippi or any department, institution, or agency thereof to pay or authorize the payment of any fee, commission, or compensation whatsoever to any person for the collection of rents arising from any property owned by the State of Mississippi or any department, institution, or agency thereof. Any person who shall pay or authorize the payment of any such fees, commissions, or compensation shall be civilly liable to the State of Mississippi in double the amount of the fees, commissions, or other compensation so paid.
Codes, 1942, § 4095.5; Laws, 1950, ch. 558.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-111 - Duplicate of conveyance issued

When any conveyance or any release upon redemption made by the auditor or the land commissioner shall be lost or destroyed, upon the application of the person interested, the land commissioner may make another conveyance or release of the same land to the person to whom the first was made. The latter shall be in lieu of the former, shall be marked "duplicate," and shall have the same effect.
Codes, 1892, § 3858; 1906, § 2938; Hemingway's 1917, § 5273; 1930, § 6050; 1942, § 4148.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-113 - Presumption of patent in absence of record

Whenever a sale of land for delinquent taxes to the state has been certified to the state land commissioner for more than twenty-five (25) years and there is no record in the land commissioner's office of said lands having been patented out of the state, there shall arise a presumption that said land has been duly patented out of the state. The land commissioner, with the consent of the attorney general, upon application of anyone claiming title to said land and upon his furnishing proof that the taxes to the state and county have been paid on said land for each year for the past ten (10) years, is hereby authorized to strike said sale, which striking shall be a disclaimer of all right, title, or interest which the State of Mississippi has in such lands.
Codes, 1942, § 4148.5; Laws, 1948, ch. 491; Laws, 1950, ch. 314.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-115 - Presumption of validity of patents of forfeited tax land

Whenever any forfeited tax land patent has been issued by the state for a period of at least ten (10) years, and the patentee has paid into the state treasury the price fixed by the land commissioner, and all taxes accruing and payable upon the land described in such patent subsequent to the issuance thereof have been paid, it shall be presumed that in the procurement of such patent the patentee paid a valid, legal, and adequate consideration therefor, complied with all the requirements of law, and practiced no fraud upon the state, and that such patent is a valid and legal patent; and said state shall thereafter be forever precluded and estopped from questioning the validity of such patent.
Codes, 1942, § 4106.5; Laws, 1950, ch. 323.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-117 - Titles and claims vacated and relinquished

All apparent title and claims of the State of Mississippi to and for lands on account of their sale for delinquent taxes prior to the sales under the Abatement Act of 1875, now held by the state, are hereby vacated and relinquished, leaving the apparent title in those who would have been the owners of the land had not such sales been made, as was the intent and purpose of said act.
Codes, Hemingway's 1917, § 5285; 1930, § 6049; 1942, § 4147; Laws, 1910, ch. 154.
Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 1 - PUBLIC LANDS (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-211) › IN GENERAL (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-1-149) › Section 29-1-119 - Patents to issue in certain cases

Where the records of the land office or any office in the state show that full payment was made for any of the lands which were described in the act approved March 2, 1875, and which were leased under the authority of said act by the secretary of state on December 18, 1875, for ninety-nine (99) years from that time, the land commissioner, on application of the lessee or persons holding under him and the payment of the fee prescribed for such patents, shall issue to such lessee a patent which shall vest in him or his heirs, devisees, or assigns title for the unexpired time of such lease to such lands as prescribed by said act of March 2, 1875, and shall inure to the person entitled under the said lease, whether he be living or dead.
Codes, 1906, § 2929; Hemingway's 1917, § 5264; 1930, § 6051; 1942, § 4149; Laws, 1900, ch. 66.