Senate Bill 2736 Summary

• Creates the "Mississippi Seafood Marketing Law of 2020" requiring all retailers and food service establishments to clearly display the country of origin for seafood and seafood products at the point of sale.

• Establishes that seafood can only be labeled as United States origin if farm-raised domestically or wild-captured and processed in U.S. waters and territories; requires distinguishing between farm-raised and wild-captured seafood.

• Requires distributors and wholesalers to provide country of origin information and certification to retailers, and mandates retailers maintain verifiable records for two years for inspection purposes.

• Grants the Commissioner of Agriculture and Executive Director of Marine Resources authority to inspect premises, pull samples for testing, issue citations with three-day correction periods, and impose penalties ranging from $500 to $5,000 or license suspension for violations.

• Establishes administrative hearing and appeals process through reviewing officers, with further appeals available to circuit court and Mississippi Supreme Court; allows immediate enforcement orders for violations presenting clear and present danger to public health.