MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Conservation and Water Resources

By: Representative Ellington

AN ACT TO RESTRICT FUNDING OF CERTAIN PROJECTS UNDER THE TIDELANDS PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Department of Marine Resources shall not consider applications for funding under the Tidelands Program for projects involving dredge or fill operations or other routine maintenance activities, nor shall continuing or multi-year projects be supported without substantive justification as to the specific need for funding over more than a single year. The Merit Review Committee is authorized to determine which projects meet qualifications to be considered for funding under the Tidelands Program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.