House Bill 1186

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-203, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADD THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF DELTA COUNCIL AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI FARM BUREAU FEDERATION AS MEMBERS OF THE BEAVER CONTROL ADVISORY BOARD; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL MEMBERS SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION BUT MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL TRAVEL EXPENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 49-7-203, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-7-203. (1) There is hereby created the Beaver Control Advisory Board which shall be composed of the administrative heads of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, State Forestry Commission, Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Mississippi Department of Transportation and Mississippi State Cooperative Extension Services, the Executive Director of the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, the Executive Vice President of Delta Council and the President of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation.

(2) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks shall be the chairman of the board and shall preside over meetings.

(3) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but all members of the board * * * shall be entitled to reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties, including mileage as authorized by law.

(4) The board shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To adopt rules and regulations governing times and places for meetings and governing the manner of conducting its business;

(b) To develop a beaver control program to be administered by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks or by a federal agency pursuant to an agreement with the commission for such purpose;

(c) To designate the areas of the state having the greatest need for beaver control or eradication and establish a list of priority areas on an annual basis;

(d) To recommend to the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks such fees as may be necessary to charge participating landowners; and

(e) To function in an advisory capacity to the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks regarding the implementation of the beaver control program.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.