Bill > HB1439

This bill amends sections of the Mississippi Code of 1972 related to the management and reporting of sixteenth section lands, which are lands granted to the state for the benefit of public schools. The key provisions are: 1. The Secretary of State, rather than the Land Commissioner, will have supervisory power over these lands and must prepare a report on their status and income. 2. State, county, municipal, and school district officials must annually provide the Secretary of State with information on new leases, rights-of-way, easements, and sales of these lands, as well as revenue, expenses, and investments related to these lands. 3. The process for leasing sixteenth section lands not classified as forest or agricultural land is revised, including requirements for the board of education to submit proposed leases to the board of supervisors for approval of the rental amount. 4. Leases must be provided to the Secretary of State in a format requested by the Secretary. The bill is intended to improve the oversight and management of these public school trust lands in Mississippi.

Government Affairs

http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2020/pdf/history/HB/HB1439.xml