MS HB473

Authorizes the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to lease certain state park lands for commercial and/or residential development at J.P. Coleman, John W. Kyle, Hugh White, George P. Cossar, and Percy Quinn State Parks, and lands surrounding Legion Lake in Simpson County, subject to legislative approval for each specific lease.

Creates the State Parks Lease Development Endowment Fund to receive all rental payments from park land leases; fund principal remains inviolate and interest/income may be expended only for constructing, repairing, renovating or improving state park facilities upon legislative appropriation.

Requires the Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to make an affirmative finding that any land development will not be incompatible with existing outdoor recreational purposes before approving lease and development.

Establishes the State Parks Development Legislative Oversight Committee composed of legislative committee chairs and appointed members to review recommendations and proposals for park land leases and provide information to affected legislators.

Grants hiring preference to department employees displaced by development leases when filling vacancies elsewhere in the department, and requires all development to comply with state laws, local building codes, and zoning ordinances with prior approval from the Development Authority and Commission.