SB 2515 Summary

• Transfers jurisdiction over all state parks from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks to the Mississippi Department of Tourism, effective July 1, 2022.

• Renames the "Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks" to the "Commission on Wildlife and Fisheries" and the "Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks" to the "Department of Wildlife and Fisheries" throughout state law.

• Restricts the Department of Tourism's authority to lease state park lands only to public entities, removing previous language allowing leases to private entities.

• Makes conforming amendments to approximately 35 sections of Mississippi Code across multiple titles to update references to the renamed departments and commissions and clarify which agency has jurisdiction over specific functions.

• Updates alcoholic beverage licensing law to recognize the Department of Tourism as the appropriate agency to request resort area designation for state parks.