HB0602_S_Cmte_Amend

SECTION 1. (1) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Seafood" means shrimp, crawfish, saltwater finfish, crustaceans, molluscan shellfish and other forms of saltwater aquatic animal life where such aquatic animal life is intended for human consumption. The term seafood shall not include catfish as defined in Section 69-7-605.

(b) "Label" means a display of written, printed or graphic matter upon or affixed to the container in which a seafood product is offered for direct retail sale.

(2) (a) There is hereby established the Mississippi Seafood Labeling Task Force to study and make recommendations to the Legislature and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources and the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce regarding the regulation of seafood labeling and seafood testing, for the maximization of benefit from that industry for the State of Mississippi and its citizens.

(b) The Task Force shall be composed as follows:

(i) The Governor or his designee;

(ii) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources or his designee;

(iii) The Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce or his designee;

(iv) The Executive Director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission or his designee;

(v) A representative of the Mississippi Restaurant Association;

(vi) The Director of the Division of Tourism or his designee.

(viii) A person with a valid commercial fisherman's license appointed by the Governor; and

(ix) A person who is an active shrimp or seafood processor appointed by the Governor.

(c) The Task Force shall meet upon the call of the Executive Director of the Department of Marine Resources not later than 30 days after passage of this act, and organize for business by electing a Chairman and Secretary, and adopting necessary bylaws. The Department of Marine Resources shall provide necessary administrative and clerical support for the Task Force. The Task Force may hold meetings and hold public hearings as necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

(d) The Task Force is hereby charged with responsibility for the following:

(i) To study and make recommendations with respect to seafood labeling laws and genetic seafood testing;

(ii) To study and make recommendations with respect to domestic and imported seafood;

(iii) To study and make recommendations with respect to the seafood industry and seafood production;

(iv) To study and make recommendations with respect to markets and marketing strategies for the development and expansion of markets for seafood harvested from Mississippi waters; and

(v) To perform any acts deemed necessary and proper to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

(e) The activities of the Mississippi Seafood Task Force shall be funded through any funds made available by appropriation of the Legislature.

(f) The Task Force shall develop and make a report with recommendations for necessary legislation to the Governor, Legislature and affected state agencies on or before January 1, 2027, and on the completion of its report, the Task Force shall stand dissolved.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.