MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Oil, Gas and Other Minerals

By: Representatives Bowles, Moak

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 53-1-39, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE PROCEDURES REGARDING APPEALS OF RULES, REGULATIONS OR ORDERS OF THE STATE OIL AND GAS BOARD; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 53-1-39, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

53-1-39. (a) In addition to other remedies now available, the state, or any interested person aggrieved by any final rule, regulation or order of the board, shall have the right, regardless of the amount involved, of appeal to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, or to the chancery court of the county in which all or a part of appellant's property affected by such rule, regulation or order is situated, which shall be taken and perfected as hereinafter provided, within thirty (30) days from the date that such final rule, regulation or order is filed for record in the office of the board; and the  * * * said chancery court may affirm such rule, regulation or order, or reverse same for further proceedings as justice may require. All such appeals shall be taken and perfected, heard and determined either in termtime or in vacation on the record, including a transcript of pleadings and testimony, both oral and documentary, filed and heard before the board, and such appeal shall be heard and disposed of promptly by the court as a preference cause. In perfecting any appeal provided by this section, the provisions of law respecting notice to the reporter, the content of the record on appeal, the completion and transmission of the record, the allowance of bills of exception, cross-appeals and briefs now or hereafter in force respecting appeals from the chancery court to Supreme Court shall be applicable to the extent such rules do not conflict with this chapter or any local rule of the Chancery Court in which the appeal is filed. However, the reporter shall transcribe his notes and file the transcript of the record with the board within thirty (30) days after approval of the appeal bond.

(b) Upon the filing with the board of a petition for appeal to the chancery court, it shall be the duty of the board, as promptly as possible, and in any event within sixty (60) days after approval of the appeal bond, to file with the clerk of the chancery court to which the appeal is taken, a copy of the petition for appeal and of the rule, regulation or order appealed from, and the original and one (1) copy of the transcript of the record of proceedings in evidence before the board. After the filing of the petition, the appeal shall be perfected by the filing with the clerk of the chancery court to which the appeal is taken of bond in the sum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) with two (2) sureties or with a surety company qualified to do business in Mississippi as the surety, conditioned to pay the cost of such appeal; such bond shall be approved by any member of the board or by the supervisor, or by the clerk of the court to which such appeal is taken. The perfection of an appeal shall not stay or suspend the operation of any rule, regulation or order of the board, but the judge of the chancery court to which the appeal is taken may award a writ of supersedeas to any rule, regulation or order of the board after five (5) days' notice to the board and after hearing. Any order or judgment staying the operation of any rule, regulation or order of the board shall contain a specific finding, based upon evidence submitted to the chancery judge and identified by reference thereto, that great or irreparable damage would result to the appellant if he is denied relief, and the stay shall not become effective until a supersedeas bond shall have been executed and filed with and approved by the clerk of the court or the chancery judge, payable to the state. The bond shall be in an amount fixed by the chancery judge and conditioned as the chancery judge may direct in the order granting the supersedeas.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.