Senate Bill 2640

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-4-4, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXPAND THE COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO NINE MEMBERS; TO REQUIRE FOUR OF SUCH MEMBERS TO MEET CERTAIN EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-4-4, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-4-4. (1) There is hereby created the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, to be composed of * * *~~five (5)~~ nine (9) persons appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five (5) years. One (1) person shall be appointed from each congressional district. The initial terms of the members shall be one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4) and five (5) years, respectively. Thereafter, all terms shall be for five (5) years. An appointment to fill a vacancy which arises for reasons other than by expiration of a term of office shall be made from the respective congressional district for the unexpired term only. No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive five (5) year terms on the commission.

(2) The commission shall elect from its membership a chairman who shall preside over meetings and a vice chairman who shall preside in the absence of the chairman or when the chairman shall be excused.

(3) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations governing times and places for meetings and governing the manner of conducting its business. Each member of the commission shall take the oath prescribed by Section 268 of the Mississippi Constitution, and shall enter into bond in the amount of Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000.00) to be approved by the Secretary of State, conditioned according to law, and payable to the State of Mississippi before assuming the duties of office. Any member who shall not attend three (3) consecutive regular meetings of the commission shall be subject to removal by a majority vote of the commission members.

(4) The members of the commission shall receive no annual salary but shall receive per diem compensation as authorized by law for each day devoted to the discharge of official duties and shall be entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties, including mileage as authorized by law.

(5) * * * ~~The~~ Five (5) members of the commission shall be composed of persons with a demonstrated history of involvement in at least one (1) of the matters of jurisdiction of the commission and whose employment and activities are not in conflict. Four (4) members of the commission shall be composed of members who either hold a bachelor of science degree in either wildlife biology, wildlife conservation, wildlife research, wildlife management, or a related life sciences degree. Absent a bachelor's degree in one (1) of the above-named fields, a member may qualify by having at least ten (10) years experience working with a company or companies specializing in either wildlife biology, wildlife conservation, wildlife research or wildlife management. All of the commissioners shall be an active outdoorsman holding a resident hunting or fishing license in at least * * * ~~five (5) of the~~ ten (10) years preceding appointment. A member shall not have a record of conviction of violation of fish or game laws and regulations within * * * ~~five (5)~~ ten (10) years preceding appointment or a record of any felony conviction, or a record of more than two (2) citations for a violation of fish or game laws within the ten (10) years preceding appointment.

( * * *56) The commission shall have the power to adopt, amend and repeal such regulations and rules as may be necessary for the operation of the department.

( * * *67) The commission shall have the power and authority to issue all licenses and permits under the jurisdiction of the department.

( * * *78) In the furtherance of its duties and responsibilities, the commission may conduct hearings, gather testimony and perform other functions required to carry out its powers and duties as prescribed by statute.

( * * *89) The commission shall have all power for conserving, managing and developing wildlife and fishery resources in accordance with sound scientific principles, and in collaboration with the agency staff of the department, except for saltwater aquatic life and marine resources under the jurisdiction of the Mississippi Commission on Marine Resources.

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