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Bill > SB2760

MS SB2760

MS SB2760
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality; remove the state geologist from certain surface mining provisions.

summary

Introduced
01/19/2026
In Committee
02/16/2026
Crossed Over
02/11/2026
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Amend Section 49-2-7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Remove The Requirement That Changes To A Consolidation Plan Adopted By The Commission Must Be Approved By The Commission; To Amend Section 53-7-5, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Remove The Office Of Geology And Energy Resources Or Its Successor Office From The Definition Of Department; To Amend Section 53-7-41, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Allow The Head Of The Office Of Geology And Energy Resources To Participate In Certain Actions Taken By The Permit Board; To Expand The Powers Of The Executive Director For Certain Actions; To Amend Section 53-9-7, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Remove The Definition For State Geologist; To Amend Section 53-9-31, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Stipulate That The Amount Of Bond Shall Be Determined By The Permit Board After Consultation With Only The Department; To Amend Section 53-9-32, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Staff Of The Department To Prepare A Brief Upon Receipt Of A Complete Application For A Surface Coal Mining And Reclamation Operation; To Amend Section 53-9-33, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Department To Make An Assessment Of Certain Conditions Prior To Issuing A Permit Or Modification; To Amend Section 53-9-69, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Grant The Executive Director Or His Or Her Designee Sole Authority To Investigate Violations; To Amend Section 53-9-71, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Stipulate That The Staff Of The Department Shall Be Responsible For Surface Coal Mining Lands Review; To Amend Section 53-9-83, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Staff Of The Department To Consult With Surface Owners Whose Land Is Proposed To Be Included In Leasing Tracts; To Amend Section 53-9-105, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Require The Department To Establish And Maintain A State Reclamation Program For Abandoned Mines; To Amend Sections 57-21-9 And 7-5-25, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Conform; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill makes several changes to Mississippi law concerning environmental quality and surface mining, primarily by removing the State Geologist from certain responsibilities and transferring those duties to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) or its staff. Key provisions include removing the requirement for commission approval for changes to a consolidation plan, redefining the "Department" to exclude the Office of Geology and Energy Resources, allowing the head of that office to participate in Permit Board actions, and expanding the Executive Director's powers. The bill also removes the definition of "State Geologist" and clarifies that the amount of a performance bond for surface mining will be determined by the Permit Board in consultation with the DEQ, not the State Geologist. Furthermore, it assigns the responsibility for preparing summaries of proposed mining operations and conducting surface coal mining lands reviews to the DEQ staff, and requires the DEQ staff to consult with surface owners regarding land leasing for mining. Finally, the bill mandates the DEQ to establish and maintain a state reclamation program for abandoned mines, and makes conforming changes to other sections of the Mississippi Code.

Committee Categories

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Referred To Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency (on 02/16/2026)

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