House Resolution 7

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO REPEAL SECTION 6034(A) OF THE EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 2005 TO ENABLE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PURCHASE, AT FAIR MARKET VALUE, ALL OIL, GAS AND OTHER MINERAL RIGHTS ON AND UNDER STATE MARINE WATERS AND TIDELANDS.

WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of this state and the economic development of this state that the federal government purchase, at fair market value, from Mississippi all oil, gas and other mineral rights in, on and under state marine waters and tidelands and all waters and submerged lands twelve (12) nautical miles south of a line drawn from the southernmost land of Cat Island to the southernmost land of Ship Island, to the southernmost land of Horn Island, to the southernmost land of Petit Bois Island and extending east and west to the state borders with Alabama and Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, depositing the purchase money of such oil, gas and other mineral rights into the Mississippi Education Trust Fund, which was created in Section 206A of the Mississippi Constitution, would benefit the children of this great state; and

WHEREAS, prohibiting all seismographic testing and all leasing and extracting of oil, gas and other minerals in, on and under state marine waters and tidelands and all waters and submerged lands twelve (12) nautical miles south of a line drawn from the southernmost land of Cat Island to the southernmost land of Ship Island, to the southernmost land of Horn Island, to the southernmost land of Petit Bois Island and extending east and west to the state borders with Alabama and Louisiana would benefit the citizens of this state:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we request the United States Congress to enact legislation to repeal Section 6034(A) of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2005.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we request the United States Congress to repeal Section 6034(A) of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2005, authorize and appropriate funds for purchase, at fair market value, from the State of Mississippi all oil, gas and other mineral rights in, on and under state marine waters and tidelands and all waters and submerged lands twelve (12) nautical miles south of a line drawn from the southernmost land of Cat Island to the southernmost land of Ship Island, to the southernmost land of Horn Island, to the southernmost land of Petit Bois Island and extending east and west to the state borders with Alabama and Louisiana, adopt a new law to prohibit all seismographic testing and all leasing and extracting of oil, gas and other minerals in, on and under state marine waters and tidelands and all waters and submerged lands twelve (12) nautical miles south of a line drawn from the southernmost land of Cat Island to the southernmost land of Ship Island, to the southernmost land of Horn Island, to the southernmost land of Petit Bois Island and extending east and west to the state borders with Alabama and Louisiana.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That it is the intent of the Legislature that the money paid by the United States government to the State of Mississippi for the purchase, at fair market value, of oil, gas and other mineral rights in, on and under state waters and tidelands shall be deposited to the Mississippi Education Trust Fund created by Section 206A of the Mississippi Constitution of 1890.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to any member of the United States Congress, any citizen of the State of Mississippi and to the Capitol Press Corps.