Bill > SB2544

Introduced Session

An Act Relating To The Regulation Of Seafood And Oysters By The Mississippi Department Of Marine Resources; To Amend Sections 49-15-3, 49-15-5, 49-15-7, 49-15-9, 49-15-16, 49-15-17, 49-15-18, 49-15-23, 49-15-27, 49-15-29, 49-15-30, 49-15-31, 49-15-34, 49-15-35, 49-15-36, 49-15-37, 49-15-38, 49-15-40, 49-15-44, 49-15-45, 49-15-46 And 49-15-47, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Clarify The Authority Of The Mississippi Department Of Marine Resources To Lease Reefs And Bottom Land For Oyster Growing/harvesting And To Clarify The Authority Of The Department To Regulate The Taking Of Oysters And The Establishment Of New Oyster Beds; To Require All Lessees To Be Residents Of The State; To Establish The "oyster Production Preserve Account" Within The Department's Seafood Fund, Which Is Earmarked For Oyster Production Management And To Require Annual Reports On Expenditures; To Clarify The First Right Of Renewal Of Existing Lessees; To Prescribe Certain Requirements For The Initial Application For Lease; To Provide For Penalties And Procedures In The Event Of Default In Payment Of Rent; To Provide For Cancellation And For Forfeitures; To Provide A Right Of Appeal; To Delete Certain Provisions Relating To Depuration Technology; To Delete Certain Provisions Relating To Restricted Seed Areas; To Provide Reciprocity For Certain Nonresident Vessel Oyster Dredging And Tonging Fees; To Delete The Authority Of Local Governing Authorities To Assist The Department In Planting Oyster Shells; To Delete The Provisions That All Reefs Are Public; To Prescribe Certain Conditions For State-owned Reefs; To Delete The Authority Of The Department To Exercise Eminent Domain In Constructing Canals; To Clarify The Authority Of Municipalities Relative To The Waters Of The Mississippi Sound; To Repeal Section 49-15-39, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Regulates Tonging Reefs And Prescribes Certain Criminal Penalties Related To Tonging Reefs And To Repeal Section 49-15-40.1, Mississippi Code Of 1972, Which Authorizes The Mississippi Department Of Marine Resources To Conduct A Pilot Program For Bottom Land Leasing For Oyster Production In Waters Adjacent To Hancock County; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Philip Moran (R)*,  Mike Thompson (R)*, 

Approved by Governor (on 04/17/2023)

Official Document