House Bill 300

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR ANY LOST REVENUE RESULTING FROM THE ISSUANCE OF DISCOUNTS RELATING TO HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES, ADMISSION TO STATE PARKS, AND OTHER FEES; TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAINTAIN AN ACCOUNTING OF SUCH LOST REVENUE AND SUBMIT THE ACCOUNTING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION FOR THE PAYMENT OF MONIES FROM THE STATE GENERAL FUND IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO SUCH LOST REVENUE, ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30 OF EACH FISCAL YEAR; TO PROVIDE THAT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE RECEIPT OF SUCH ACCOUNTING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS, THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION SHALL TRANSFER THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF SUCH LOST REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR INTO THE FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) From and after July 1, 2024, the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall be reimbursed for any lost revenue resulting from the issuance of discounts related to the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, admission into state parks, golf courses, campgrounds and recreational trails, fishing permits, boat rentals, cabin rentals, cottage and camping reservations, and any other discounts provided by the department, in an amount equal to the discounts issued.

(2) The department shall maintain an accounting of such lost revenue as described in subsection (1) of this section, and shall submit the accounting to the Department of Finance and Administration for the payment of monies from the State General Fund in an amount equal to such lost revenue, on or before June 30 of each fiscal year.

(3) Within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such accounting from the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Department of Finance and Administration shall transfer the total amount of such lost revenue for the fiscal year into the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund as provided for in Section 49-5-21.

(4) The accounting maintained under subsection (2) of this section, and any other records relating to the accounting, shall be subject to audit by the State Auditor.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.