MS HB1247

Limits administrative costs that the Secretary of State can charge to the Public Trust Tidelands Fund to no more than 1% of total lease rental funds collected in any fiscal year.

Prohibits the use of tideland lease rental funds for attorney's fees, consulting fees, professional service fees, or other administrative costs not authorized by this amendment.

Expands the list of permitted uses for remaining tideland funds to include recreation, navigation, and fishing in addition to existing conservation, reclamation, preservation, and education programs.

Requires the Department of Marine Resources to make progress payments on tidelands projects only after receiving written verification of completed work or materials from political subdivisions or agencies.

Allows tideland funds to be used as matching or leverage funds to obtain federal or other available funding for designated tidelands projects.