Mississippi legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Mississippi SB2760: Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality; remove the state geologist from certain surface mining provisions.
Status: Signed into law, March 13, 2026
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-2-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT THAT CHANGES TO A CONSOLIDATION PLAN ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION MUST BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION; TO AMEND SECTION 53-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE OFFICE OF GEOLOGY AND ENERGY RESOURCES OR ITS SUCCESSOR OFFICE FROM THE DEFINITION OF DEPARTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 53-7-41, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE OF GEOLOGY AND ENERGY RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATE IN CERTAIN ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE PERMIT BOARD; TO EXPAND THE POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE THE DEFINITION FOR STATE GEOLOGIST; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO STIPULATE THAT THE AMOUNT OF BOND SHALL BE DETERMINED BY THE PERMIT BOARD AFTER CONSULTATION WITH ONLY THE DEPARTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-32, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE A BRIEF UPON RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR A SURFACE COAL MINING AND RECLAMATION OPERATION; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF CERTAIN CONDITIONS PRIOR TO ISSUING A PERMIT OR MODIFICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO GRANT THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE SOLE AUTHORITY TO INVESTIGATE VIOLATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-71, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO STIPULATE THAT THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SURFACE COAL MINING LANDS REVIEW; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT TO CONSULT WITH SURFACE OWNERS WHOSE LAND IS PROPOSED TO BE INCLUDED IN LEASING TRACTS; TO AMEND SECTION 53-9-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN A STATE RECLAMATION PROGRAM FOR ABANDONED MINES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 57-21-9 AND 7-5-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
What the bill says
An act to amend section 49-2-7, mississippi code of 1972, to remove the requirement that changes to a consolidation plan adopted by the commission must be approved by the commission; to amend section 53-7-5, mississippi code of 1972, to remove the office of geology and energy resources or its successor office from the definition of department; to amend section 53-7-41, mississippi code of 1972, to allow the head of the office of geology and energy resources to participate in certain actions taken by the permit board; to expand the powers of the executive director for certain actions…