MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Senator(s) Gollott
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS AND THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF ALLIGATOR FARMING IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The Legislature finds that:
(a) Alligator farming is a big business in the Southeastern United States;
(b) Alligator farming is legal in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas;
(c) There is a national and international market for alligator meat, skins and other goods;
(d) The economic impact in Louisiana is estimated at sixty million (60,000,000) to seventy million (70,000,000) annually;
(e) Alligator farming has minimal adverse effects on the environment;
(d) Because there is a reliable stream of alligators for products, illegal poaching is reduced;
(f) The collection and incubation of wild eggs have a high survival rate and many juveniles are released back into the wild; and
(g) The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks stopped accepting and approving alligator ranch applications on May 15, 2014.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Mississippi Development Authority shall conduct a feasibility study on alligator ranch farming and recommend any laws and regulations that are needed to ensure the viability of alligator farms and protection of the wild alligators. The report shall be filed with the Legislature on or before January 2, 2018.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.