MS HB965

Removes the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board from requirements under Section 27-104-205 that mandate state agency funding through General Fund appropriations, allowing the board to return to special fund financing.

Restores the Oil and Gas Board's authority to collect and retain user charges, assessments, and fees (up to 60 mills per barrel of oil and 6 mills per 1,000 cubic feet of gas) in the Oil and Gas Conservation Fund for operational expenses.

Transfers funds from the State General Fund to the Oil and Gas Board's special funds equal to the amount previously transferred out under the Budget Transparency and Simplification Act provisions.

Retains the board's authority to obtain funds from the Capital Expense Fund for emergency plugging of orphaned wells that pose environmental threats.

Eliminates provisions that required all board user charges and fees to be deposited into the State General Fund and prohibited inter-agency fee charging.