SB 2381 Mississippi Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Authority of Secretary of State to approve leases on Public Trust Tidelands; clarify.

SB 2381 clarifies that the Mississippi Secretary of State must approve all leases for Public Trust Tidelands used in gaming projects, requiring gaming licensees (including those seeking new licenses) to obtain a separate lease from the Secretary of State rather than relying on municipal or county authority. It specifically applies to gaming establishments in Mississippi’s three southernmost counties and mandates this lease requirement for new projects, while exempting sites approved before December 31, 2024. The bill also prohibits leasing tidelands with constructed sand beaches (as defined in state law) for gaming purposes and confirms the Secretary of State holds exclusive management authority over these tidelands unless the legislature explicitly divests it. This eliminates ambiguity about lease requirements for gaming operations on state-owned coastal lands.

Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 17, 2025 Last action Mar 27, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Substitute → Current version · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill amends Mississippi gaming and harbor laws to add a grandfathering exception for gaming operations approved before December 31, 2024, while maintaining restrictions on new gaming leases. The changes clarify that federal, state, and local governments cannot lease property for gaming purposes unless the operation was approved before the specified date. Technical formatting improvements were also made throughout the document.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding gaming restrictions on government property was narrowed by adding an exception for pre-existing approved gaming operations, while maintaining the prohibition on new gaming leases.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a grandfathering exception allowing gaming operations approved before December 31, 2024, to continue despite restrictions on government leases for gaming purposes.

REQUIREMENT

Updated language in multiple sections to clarify that gaming restrictions apply to all governmental entities including counties and municipalities.

TECHNICAL

Made formatting and line break adjustments throughout the document for consistency and readability.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2025 · House Mar 11, 2025

How they voted

49–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 51

Feb 12, 2025

D Democratic16

16 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican35

33 Yea 2

94% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed As Amended

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Amended

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass As Amended

lower

Feb 17, 2025

Committee

Referred To Gaming;Marine Resources

lower

Feb 17, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To House

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed As Amended

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amended

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Pass Comm Sub

upper

Jan 20, 2025

Committee

Referred To Gaming;Ports and Marine Resources

upper

1 primary · 3 co-sponsors