MS HB1345

Creates Section 51-15-108 to allow counties outside the Pat Harrison Waterway District to join by unanimous board of supervisors resolution and petition filing in Forrest County Chancery Court.

Permits counties containing the Pascagoula River, Leaf River, Chickasawhay River, or Tallahala Creek, or counties with tributaries to these streams or bordering them, to join the district.

Amends Section 51-15-103 to clarify that counties may join the district after its original formation in accordance with Section 51-15-108.

Amends Section 51-15-107 to update petition procedures and confirm that municipalities with 10,000+ population and counties named in petitions are parties defendant, while landowners need not be named.

Effective date: July 1, 2020.