Senate Bill 2716

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 59-15-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MUNICIPAL SMALL WATER CRAFT HARBORS ARE EXEMPT FROM LEASING REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 59-15-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

59-15-1. (1) The authorities of any city in this state which has a population of ten thousand (10,000) or more, according to the last official government census, and the authorities of any municipality bordering on the Mississippi Sound or Gulf of Mexico are hereby given the authority to acquire by purchase, deed, donation, gift, grant, reclamation, lease, dedication, or otherwise, land, harbor sites or water frontage for the purpose of establishing, developing, promoting, maintaining, and operating harbors for small water crafts and recreational parks connected therewith within its territorial limits, or both, and shall have the power to acquire, purchase, install, rent, lease, mortgage, incumber, construct, own, hold, maintain, equip, use, control and operate recreational parks and harbors for small water craft.

(2) Municipal small water craft harbors created under this section are exempt from any tidelands leasing requirements of the Secretary of State if no establishment requiring a "gaming license" as defined in Section 75-76-5 is located in the harbor.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.