Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi HB1069: "MS Agricultural and Farmland Wind Tower Protection Act of 2026"; create.
Status: Failed, March 30, 2026
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND WIND TOWER PROTECTION ACT OF 2026; TO DEFINE AND REGULATE WIND TOWER FACILITIES; TO VEST EXCLUSIVE SITING, PERMITTING AND OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY IN THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; TO REQUIRE CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND AGRICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS, PUBLIC NOTICE AND LANDOWNER CONSENT; TO IMPOSE STATEWIDE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LANDS, AERIAL AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS, RESIDENCES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS; TO PROHIBIT WIND TOWER FACILITIES NEAR WILDLIFE REFUGES, WETLANDS, MIGRATORY BIRD CORRIDORS AND CRITICAL HABITATS; TO REQUIRE FINANCIAL ASSURANCE AND DECOMMISSIONING BONDS FOR SITE RESTORATION; TO SUBJECT WIND TOWER FACILITIES TO PUBLIC UTILITY LAWS; TO AUTHORIZE RULEMAKING AND INTERAGENCY CONSULTATION; TO CREATE THE WIND TOWER AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS STUDY COMMITTEE AND REQUIRE A LEGISLATIVE REPORT; TO PROVIDE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY, CIVIL PENALTIES AND REMEDIATION REMEDIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to establish the mississippi agricultural and farmland wind tower protection act of 2026; to define and regulate wind tower facilities; to vest exclusive siting, permitting and operational authority in the mississippi public service commission; to require certificates of public convenience and necessity, environmental and agricultural impact assessments, public notice and landowner consent; to impose statewide setback requirements to protect agricultural lands, aerial agricultural operations, residences and public buildings…
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE MISSISSIPPI AGRICULTURAL AND FARMLAND WIND TOWER PROTECTION ACT OF 2026; TO DEFINE AND REGULATE WIND TOWER FACILITIES; TO VEST EXCLUSIVE SITING, PERMITTING AND OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY IN THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION; TO REQUIRE CERTIFICATES OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND AGRICULTURAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS, PUBLIC NOTICE AND LANDOWNER CONSENT; TO IMPOSE STATEWIDE SETBACK REQUIREMENTS TO PROTECT AGRICULTURAL LANDS, AERIAL AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS, RESIDENCES AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS; TO PROHIBIT WIND TOWER FACILITIES NEAR WILDLIFE REFUGES, WETLANDS, MIGRATORY BIRD CORRIDORS AND CRITICAL HABITATS; TO REQUIRE FINANCIAL ASSURANCE AND DECOMMISSIONING BONDS FOR SITE RESTORATION; TO SUBJECT WIND TOWER FACILITIES TO PUBLIC UTILITY LAWS; TO AUTHORIZE RULEMAKING AND INTERAGENCY CONSULTATION; TO CREATE THE WIND TOWER AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS STUDY COMMITTEE AND REQUIRE A LEGISLATIVE REPORT; TO PROVIDE ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY, CIVIL PENALTIES AND REMEDIATION REMEDIES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Agricultural and Farmland Wind Tower Protection Act of 2026." SECTION 2. (1) The Legislature finds and declares that: (a) Mississippi's farmland is a vital state resource and its preservation is essential to the state's economy and food supply; *HR26/R1484PH* H. B. No. 1069 ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2 26/HR26/R1484PH PAGE 1 (DJ\KW) (b) Agricultural aviation ("crop dusting") …