MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks; Ways and Means

By: Representative Morgan

House Bill 848

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-5-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE STATE ASSENT TO FEDERAL AID LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THE CONSERVATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE; TO PROVIDE THAT REVENUE FROM HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE SALES SHALL BE UNDER THE EXCLUSIVE CONTROL OF THE STATE FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY TO BE USED SOLELY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE AGENCY; TO REPEAL SECTION 49-5-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI'S ASSENT TO THE PROVISIONS OF FISH RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 49-5-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     49-5-25.  The State of Mississippi hereby assents to the provisions of the Pittman Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 (Public Law No. 415, 75th Congress, 1st Session), and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 (Public Laws 681, 81st Congress), and the commission may perform any acts as may be necessary to ensure the conservation of fish and wildlife.  Revenue from hunting and fishing license sales shall be under the exclusive control of the state fish and wildlife agency for the sole use for the administration of the state fish and wildlife agency, which includes only the functions required to manage the agency and the fish and wildlife-related resources for which the agency has authority under state law.

     SECTION 2.  Section 49-5-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provides the State of Mississippi's assent to the provisions of the Fish Restoration and Management Projects Act, is repealed.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.