SB 2281 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Habitat stamps; require for hunters, fishers and trappers 16 years of age or older.

SB 2281 requires all hunters, fishers, and trappers aged 16 or older in Mississippi to obtain a conservation stamp before engaging in these activities. Non-resident users must pay a $25 annual fee, while residents receive the stamp at no cost (though voluntary donations are allowed). Proceeds from non-resident fees fund wildlife conservation efforts, including habitat restoration, scientific research, and expanding public access to hunting and fishing opportunities, as specified in the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund. Violations carry a misdemeanor penalty of up to $100.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 20, 2025 Last action Feb 13, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended from its original introduction to a committee substitute version, significantly changing the fee structure, stamp terminology, and effective dates. The most notable change is the reduction of the nonresident stamp fee from $200 to $25, while residents remain exempt. The stamp was renamed from 'habitat stamp' to 'conservation stamp' and several wildlife categories were excluded from certain provisions. The effective date was changed to July 1, 2025, with a repeal date of June 30, 2025, which appears to be an error that would make the law immediately ineffective.

Scope change

The bill's scope was modified to exclude waterfowl from several provisions including funding uses, habitat protection, and hunting opportunities. The applicability remains the same for persons 16 years or older.

FISCAL

Nonresident stamp fee reduced from $200 to $25, while resident hunters remain exempt from fees

DEFINITION

Stamp terminology changed from 'habitat stamp' to 'conservation stamp'

REQUIREMENT

Several provisions now explicitly exclude waterfowl from coverage including funding uses, habitat protection, and hunting opportunities

Additional fee for physical stamps added, to be determined by the commission

Residents may now voluntarily submit monetary donations when procuring the conservation stamp

TIMELINE

Effective date changed to July 1, 2025 with repeal date of June 30, 2025, which creates a contradictory timeline that would render the law immediately ineffective

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 30, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors