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Committee moves forward with tighter eligibility for oyster-bottom leases
Summary
Senate Bill 2263, revising the oyster bottom lease program, was reported out of committee. The revised draft removes an authority that had allowed applicants without oyster-harvest experience to receive leases based on financial criteria and emphasizes preference for industry-experienced applicants.
Senate Bill 2263, a revision to the oyster bottom lease program, was reported out of the Mississippi Senate Ports and Marine Resources Committee after the sponsor described changes intended to prioritize applicants with industry experience.
The sponsor said the Department of Marine Resources received applications under earlier authorizations but had not yet evaluated or graded them. The bill deletes a subsection that previously allowed the department to lease bottoms to applicants who lacked oyster-harvest or propagation experience but met financial criteria. The sponsor said the intent is to clarify that lease applicants should have industry experience.
The bill also touches code section 409-15-36, where a 20% reference is located; the sponsor said areas not leased should remain available to the public for harvest. Committee members asked no substantive questions in the recorded transcript, and the chair called for the ayes; the bill was reported out by voice vote.
The sponsor said the department may use a third party to evaluate applications and that, as of the hearing, submitted applications had not been graded.
