Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB734: Oyster reefs; clarify the designation of public reefs for purposes of leasing.
Status: Failed, March 30, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 49-15-27 AND 49-15-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATE TO THE REGULATION AND LEASING OF OYSTER REEFS, FOR PURPOSES OF IDENTIFYING PUBLIC REEFS AND INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE THAT MAY BE DESIGNATED AS STATE-OWNED REEFS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend sections 49-15-27 and 49-15-36, mississippi code of 1972, which relate to the regulation and leasing of oyster reefs, for purposes of identifying public reefs and increasing the percentage that may be designated as state-owned reefs; and for related purposes.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 49-15-27 AND 49-15-36, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATE TO THE REGULATION AND LEASING OF OYSTER REEFS, FOR PURPOSES OF IDENTIFYING PUBLIC REEFS AND INCREASING THE PERCENTAGE THAT MAY BE DESIGNATED AS STATE-OWNED REEFS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. Section 49-15-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows: 49-15-27. The department is hereby granted full and complete authority to lease the bottoms within its jurisdiction upon the following terms and conditions: (1) * * * The historical reefs of Pass Christian Tonging, Pass Christian Dredging, Henderson Point, Pass Marianne and the eastern edge of St. joe reef are designated as state public reefs. All others not currently leased, including, but not limited to, Telegraph reef, the western end of St. Joe reef and St. Stanislaus reef, including natural reefs and all areas not within the boundaries of riparian property owners may be leased by the department. *HR26/R1994PH* H. B. No. 734 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR26/R1994PH PAGE 1 (RKM\KW) (2) All individual lessees shall be residents of the State of Mississippi, or if a firm or corporation, such firm or corporation shall be organized under the laws of the State of Mississippi * * *. (3) No individual, corporation, partnership or association …
Sponsors
- Brent Anderson (R, 122) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Died In Conference
- : Conferees Named DeLano,Thompson,Ladner
- : Conferees Named Anderson (122nd),Ladner,Crawford
- : Decline to Concur/Invite Conf
- : Returned For Concurrence
- : Passed As Amended
- : Amended
- : Title Suff Do Pass As Amended
- : Referred To Ports and Marine Resources
- : Transmitted To Senate
Votes
- Passed As Amended (March 10, 2026): 51 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Passed As Amended (February 10, 2026): 114 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Oyster reefs
Common questions
- What is HB734?
- HB734 is a bill in the Mississippi Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Oyster reefs; clarify the designation of public reefs for purposes of leasing.
- What does HB734 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend sections 49-15-27 and 49-15-36, mississippi code of 1972, which relate to the regulation and leasing of oyster reefs, for purposes of identifying public reefs and increasing the percentage that may be designated as state-owned reefs; and for related purposes.
- What is the status of HB734?
- Failed as of March 30, 2026. Latest action: Died In Conference (March 30, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB734?
- Brent Anderson (R, 122).
- Where is the official record for HB734?
- On the Mississippi Legislature website: http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/HB/HB0734.xml
Source: official Mississippi record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.