MS HC142

Suspends Joint Rules deadlines, including Joint Rule No. 40, to allow drafting and passage of legislation regarding local harbor control.

Reaffirms that certain harbors maintained by local governing authorities are controlled exclusively by those authorities and not by the Secretary of State.

Establishes that harbor development projects by local authorities serve a higher public purpose under public trust tidelands laws, with an exception for gaming licensee leases with the Secretary of State.

Requires federal and state grant or loan funds designated for specific harbors be transmitted directly to controlling local authorities without Secretary of State approval.

Prohibits the Secretary of State from canceling or invalidating any executed or pending leases of harbor property by local authorities or the state, and amends Mississippi Code sections 59-15-1, 59-15-3, 29-15-3, 29-15-5, 29-15-13, and 29-15-15.