MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Ports and Marine Resources; Judiciary, Division A
By: Senator(s) Thompson
AN ACT TO PROVIDE A PUBLIC RECORDS EXEMPTION FOR MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES APPLICATIONS FOR RECREATIONAL LICENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) All records of the Department of Marine Resources relating to applications for and sales of any resident or nonresident recreational licenses issued under Title 49, Chapter 15, Mississippi Code of 1972, and all records related to holders of such licenses, are exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983, in accordance with Section 25-61-11, and shall be released only:
(a) Upon order of a court having proper jurisdiction over a petition for release of the record or records;
(b) Upon approval by the Director for the benefit of fishermen and the environment; and
(c) Upon request, the records specified in this section shall be available to all law enforcement agencies.
(2) The exemption in subsection (1) shall not be applicable to commercial licenses or reports.
(3) Section 1 of this act shall be codified in Title 25, Chapter 61, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.