Ports and Marine Resources

SB 2263 requires Mississippi Department of Marine Resources officers to have probable cause before boarding any vessel or stopping a boat. This directly affects marine law enforcement officers who previously could board vessels without probable cause under existing rules. The bill amends two sections of Mississippi law (59-21-127 and 59-23-5) to add this requirement, making it illegal to board or stop a vessel without reasonable suspicion of a boating safety violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not change other provisions like chemical testing for boating under the influence.

HB 1466 modifies Mississippi's seafood labeling rules to allow businesses to label crawfish and seafood by country of origin instead of only "domestic" or "imported." It permits restaurants to use a single visible menu legend for all seafood items rather than listing each one individually. Products already compliant with federal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements are exempt from state labeling, but grocery stores and seafood markets must still label fresh or unfrozen products sold directly to consumers. This bill directly affects seafood wholesalers, retailers, restaurants, and consumers seeking transparency about seafood sources.

HB 734 amends Mississippi Code sections 49-15-27 and 49-15-36 to clarify regulations for leasing oyster reefs. It designates specific historical reefs (like Pass Christian Tonging and Henderson Point) as state-owned public reefs, while opening others (such as Telegraph Reef) for leasing under new rules. The bill requires lessees to be Mississippi residents or state-organized entities, limits leases to 1-2,500 acres, and prioritizes applications based on oyster cultivation experience, FDA shellfish registration, and financial capability. Lessees must actively cultivate oysters, submit annual reports, and pay prorated annual rent for 15-year leases with renewal options. This directly affects oyster farmers, shellfish businesses, and the state’s management of coastal marine resources.

This bill amends Mississippi law to add Jackson County to the list of counties where using a purse seine (a type of fishing net) within one mile of the shoreline is prohibited. It directly affects commercial and recreational fishers operating near Jackson County's coastlines. The key change is expanding the existing prohibition - currently covering only Hancock and Harrison counties - to include Jackson County, while maintaining the same one-mile shoreline restriction and enforcement penalties under Section 49-15-100(2). The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 2634 amends Mississippi law to authorize payment for members of the Department of Marine Resources Enforcement Officers Reserve Unit during "Special Need Events" with critical personnel shortages. Previously, all reserve members served without pay; this bill creates a specific paid category for reserve officers meeting defined eligibility criteria (e.g., certification, training, or community standing). Payment amounts and event eligibility are determined by the Department director. The change applies only to designated special events, not regular reserve duties, and does not alter the reserve unit’s overall structure or volunteer status for routine operations.