Senate Bill 2361 Summary

• Establishes the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Forestry effective July 1, 2016, by consolidating the Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Department of Animal Health, Fair Commission, and Forestry Commission into a single department under a Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry.

• Transfers the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission's functions and resources to the Department of Environmental Quality, with the Commission becoming an advisory entity; Board of Animal Health, Fair Commission, and Forestry Commission also become advisory bodies to their respective departments.

• Exempts personnel actions of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry and Executive Director of Environmental Quality from State Personnel Board procedures for one year to allow reorganization flexibility.

• Assigns administrative and clerical functions for the State Board of Registration for Foresters to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and for the State Board of Registered Professional Geologists to the Department of Environmental Quality.

• Provides that the Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry shall assume duties of the Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, with all references to the old department and title updated throughout Mississippi Code to reflect the new structure.