MS HB1077

Amends Section 49-15-46 of Mississippi Code to change licensing authority from "commission" to "department" throughout the statute governing oyster vessel licensing

Establishes new annual license fees for molluscan shellfish aquaculture operations: $50 for resident operations and $100 for nonresident operations

Removes previous vessel-based licensing fees for off-bottom oyster aquaculture operations ($50 in-state, $100 out-of-state) and eliminates the $10 captain license requirement for oyster operations

Maintains existing vessel license fees for traditional oyster harvesting: $50 for in-state tonging/hand gathering, $100 for in-state dredging, $100 for out-of-state tonging/hand gathering, and $200 for out-of-state dredging

Effective date of July 1, 2022