MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Ports and Marine Resources

By: Senator(s) Blount, Younger, Butler (36th), Barnett, Barrett, Blackmon, Blackwell, Boyd, Branning, Bryan, Butler (38th), Carter, Caughman, Chassaniol, Chism, DeBar, DeLano, England, Fillingane, Frazier, Harkins, Hickman, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Jackson, Johnson, Jordan, Kirby, McCaughn, McDaniel, McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Moran, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sojourner, Sparks, Suber, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Williams

Senate Bill 2530

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CODIFY SECTION 49-27-4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES TO DESIGNATE THE DANZLER TRACT IN THE PASCAGOULA RIVER MARSHES IN JACKSON COUNTY AS THE "SECRETARY OF STATE ERIC CLARK COASTAL PRESERVE" IN HONOR OF HIS ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COASTAL PRESERVE PROGRAM; TO CODIFY SECTION 49-27-4.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES TO DESIGNATE THE BIG ISLAND AT THE MOUTH OF THE BACK BAY OF BILOXI AS "GOLLOTT ISLAND" AND THE BREAKWATER IMPROVEMENTS ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND AS "GODFATHER POINT" IN HONOR OF SENATOR THOMAS A. GOLLOTT'S ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The following shall be codified as Section 49-27-4, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     49-27-4.  (1)  The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is authorized and directed to designate the Danzler Tract, nine hundred twenty-five (925) acres located in the Pascagoula River Marshes in Jackson County, Mississippi, acquired in 1997 with funds obtained by Secretary of State Eric Clark as trustee of the public trust tidelands and part of the Mississippi Coastal Preserves Program, as the "Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve" in honor of his role in the development of the program.

     (2)  The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in conjunction with the Office of Secretary of State are further authorized to erect appropriate markers and signs indicating the location of the "Secretary of State Eric Clark Coastal Preserve" and other pertinent information on the mission, trail systems and visitor guidelines relating to the Mississippi Coastal Plain.

     SECTION 2.  The following shall be codified as Section 49-27-4.1, Mississippi Code of 1972:-27-4.1, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     49-27-4.1  (1)  The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is authorized and directed to designate the "Big Island", 57 acres located at the physical address of 0 Mouth of Back Bay of Biloxi in Harrison County, Mississippi, as "Gollott Island" in honor of the role of Senator Thomas A. Gollott in the development of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Big Island is more particularly described as Patent No. 1211672 Big Island Lot 2 of Section 22-7-9 A Swamp and Overflowed land located at the mouth of the Back Bay of Biloxi.  The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is further authorized and directed to designate the breakwater improvements on the south side of the island as "Godfather Point".

     (2)  The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources in conjunction with the Office of the Secretary of State are further authorized to erect appropriate markers and signs indicating the location of "Gollott Island" and "Godfather Point" and other pertinent information on the mission, trail systems and visitor guidelines relating to the Mississippi Coastal Plain.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.