Senate Bill 3068 Summary

• Brings forward numerous Mississippi Code sections (1972) relating to public lands administration, including provisions governing land commissioner duties, tax land sales, patents, and redemption procedures.

• Establishes procedures for state land sales including minimum pricing ($2.00 per acre for forfeited tax lands), application requirements, contract terms (up to 5 years), and restrictions on purchases (one-quarter section per year limit, prohibitions on corporate and nonresident alien ownership with limited exceptions).

• Creates the "Land Records Maintenance Fund" from proceeds of state land sales to be used for restoration, preservation, and maintenance of state land records and disposition of tax-forfeited lands.

• Authorizes municipalities and drainage districts to purchase state forfeited tax lands with priority over other applicants (except original owners), and allows transfer of tax lands to public agencies and political subdivisions.

• Specifies tax treatment, redemption rights, and procedural requirements for land sold for delinquent taxes including notice provisions, cost apportionment, and timeframes for redemption (two-year period with interest at 1.5% monthly).