Bill > SB2635

This bill brings forward and potentially amends existing Mississippi laws concerning oyster leases, specifically Sections 49-15-27 and 49-15-36 of the Mississippi Code of 1972. The primary changes involve the Department of Marine Resources' authority to lease submerged lands for oyster cultivation, outlining terms and conditions for lessees, including residency requirements, acreage limitations (1 to 2,500 acres), application procedures, and prioritization criteria for lease applications, which now include registration with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration's Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List. The bill also details lease terms, renewal rights, ground rental rates ($3.00 per acre annually), penalties for late payments, and the department's responsibilities in managing and charting leased areas. Furthermore, it clarifies the department's jurisdiction over state-owned reefs, its ability to close reefs due to overharvesting or poor oyster quality, and its authority to issue special permits to non-profit organizations for oyster harvesting under specific conditions, all aimed at promoting oyster production and ensuring public health.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2635.xml