MS HB761

Requires the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources to schedule a hearing on coastal wetlands permit applications if a written hearing request is submitted by the applicant, or if five or more persons or a political subdivision/agency submits written objections during the objection period.

Changes the threshold for triggering a mandatory hearing from an unspecified number to specifically five or more affected persons submitting objections.

Requires hearings to be held within twenty days after the objection period ends, unless all parties agree to a later date.

Mandates notice be published at least once weekly for three consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the affected wetlands are located, with the final notice published no more than seven days before the objection deadline.

Requires applicants to pay publication fees and the costs of providing public notice.

Takes effect July 1, 2011.