Mississippi House Bill HB1062

Mississippi 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/26
• Refer: 1/16/26
• Failed: 2/3/26

Caption

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 29-1-107, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE A LEASE FROM THE STATE THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ANY USE OF THE PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS FOR ANY USE BY A GAMING OPERATION; TO CLARIFY THAT A GAMING USE IS SEPARATE FROM COMMERCIAL USE; TO CLARIFY THAT THE PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS LEASE NEEDED TO MOVEON SHORE AND PAY THE STATUTORY ASSESSMENT IS A LEASE WITH THE STATE OR THE STATE PORT AT GULFPORT FOR A GAMING OPERATION; TO AMEND SECTION 29-15-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DEFINITIONS; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 29-15-1.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THE LEGISLATIVE INTENT REGARDING THE STATE CONTROL OF THE PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS; TO CREATE NEW SECTION 29-15-2, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL AND AUTHORITY OF THE PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT A PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS LEASE WITH THE STATE THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS REQUIRED FOR USE OF THE PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS, INCLUDING THOSE BY STATE AGENCIES AND POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE USE OF PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS FOR ANY GAMING PURPOSE REQUIRES A PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS LEASE FROM THE STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 29-15-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 29-15-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ALL EXISTING AND PROPOSED USES OF OR PROJECTS ON PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS BY ANY COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY SHALL REQUIRE A PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS LEASE FROM THE STATE THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 29-15-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS LEGAL FEES AND LOST AD VALOREM TAXES, WITH LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL, TO BE PAID OUT OF THE PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 29-15-10, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 29-15-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE NEED FOR A PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS LEASE EVEN IF PUBLIC USE OR PROJECT IS EXEMPT FROM RENTAL OR LEASE FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-15-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE STATE LEGISLATIVE INTENT THAT USE OF THE TIDELANDS FOR MUNICIPAL HARBORS REQUIRES A PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS LEASE WITH THE STATE THROUGH THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 21-17-1, 57-7-1, 59-7-405 AND 7-11-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 87-1-5, 97-33-1, 97-33-7, 97-33-17, 97-33-25 AND 97-33-27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN STRUCTURES RELATED TO GAMING; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 29-15-7, 29-15-11, 29-15-15, 29-15-17, 29-15-19, 29-15-21 AND 29-15-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC TRUST TIDELANDS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 59-15-3, 59-15-5, 59-15-7, 59-15-9, 59-15-11, 59-15-13, 59-15-15, 59-15-17 AND 59-15-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR SMALL CRAFT HARBORS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 59-7-1, 59-7-3, 59-7-5, 59-7-7, 59-7-9, 59-7-11, 59-7-13, 59-7-15, 59-7-17, 59-7-19, 59-7-21, 59-7-101, 59-7-103, 59-7-105, 59-7-107, 59-7-109, 59-7-111, 59-7-113, 59-7-115, 59-7-117, 59-7-119, 59-7-121, 59-7-123, 59-7-125, 59-7-127, 59-7-129, 59-7-131, 59-7-201, 59-7-203, 59-7-205, 59-7-207, 59-7-209, 59-7-211, 59-7-213, 59-7-301, 59-7-303, 59-7-305, 59-7-307, 59-7-309, 59-7-311, 59-7-313, 59-7-315, 59-7-317, 59-7-319, 59-7-321, 59-7-323, 59-7-401, 59-7-403, 59-7-407, 59-7-408, 59-7-409, 59-7-411, 59-7-413, 59-7-415, 59-7-417, 59-7-419, 59-7-421, 59-7-423, 59-7-425, 59-7-427, 59-7-429, 59-7-451, 59-7-453, 59-7-455, 59-7-501, 59-7-503, 59-7-505, 59-7-507, 59-7-509, 59-7-511, 59-7-513, 59-7-515, 59-7-517 AND 59-7-519, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL HARBORS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 65-33-1, 65-33-3, 65-33-5, 65-33-7, 65-33-9, 65-33-11, 65-33-13, 65-33-15, 65-33-17, 65-33-19, 65-33-21, 65-33-23, 65-33-25, 65-33-27, 65-33-29, 65-33-31, 65-33-33, 65-33-35, 65-33-37, 65-33-39, 65-33-41, 65-33-43, 65-33-45, 65-33-47, 65-33-49, 65-33-51, 65-33-53, 65-33-55, 65-33-57, 65-33-59, 65-33-61, 65-33-63, 65-33-65, 65-33-67, 65-33-69 AND 65-33-71, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR SEA WALLS, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 29-1-105, 53-3-41, 53-3-75, 55-7-13, 55-7-15, 55-7-21, 55-24-9, 59-3-1, 59-5-11, 59-9-19, 59-17-13, 61-3-15, 79-21-53, 27-31-39, 29-7-3, 39-7-3, 39-7-9, 49-15-301, 49-15-304, 49-27-4, 49-27-5, 49-27-71, 57-15-5, 59-1-17, 59-9-21 AND 59-9-67, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Impact

The implications of HB 1062 are considerable; it centralizes the authority and management of public trust tidelands under the Secretary of State. This restructuring conveys a clear legislative intent to enforce state control over any use of these lands. Furthermore, the bill clarifies the need for a lease for not only gaming entities but also state agencies and political subdivisions, marking a move towards enhanced regulatory oversight and accountability in the leasing process.

Summary

House Bill 1062 is a significant legislative proposal aimed at amending the Mississippi Code of 1972 concerning the management and oversight of public trust tidelands. The bill mandates that any use of public trust tidelands for gaming operations requires a lease from the state, specifically administered through the Secretary of State. This shift emphasizes the separation of gaming use from commercial use, establishing more stringent guidelines for securing usage rights over public lands associated with gaming activities.

Contention

Discussions surrounding the bill may surface various opinions among stakeholders. Proponents are likely to argue that tightening leasing protocols for gaming operations will lead to more accountability and responsible stewardship of public trust resources. Conversely, opponents might raise concerns about potential limitations on local control and the implications this could have on economic opportunities for local communities engaged in gaming or related industries. Overall, HB 1062 addresses critical issues of governance concerning state resources and the intricacies of commercial activities on public lands.