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

Mississippi's SB 2396 clarifies that the Secretary of State must approve all leases for Public Trust Tidelands used in gaming operations, including new casino projects. It requires gaming license holders to obtain these separate leases directly from the Secretary of State (not local governments), with existing gaming sites approved before December 31, 2023, exempted. The bill also confirms the Secretary of State holds sole authority over tideland leases and prohibits local authorities from leasing tidelands for gaming purposes. It updates definitions and clarifies that state-held tidelands are managed under specific maps and legal boundaries. This bill focuses on establishing clear jurisdiction for tideland leasing, particularly for gaming developments.