SB 2564 Summary

• Creates a Technical Advisory Board (TAB) to develop and annually revise a comprehensive coastal conservation and restoration plan for the Mississippi Gulf Coast addressing restoration, storm protection, habitat construction, and water quality projects.

• TAB comprises nine voting members including a Governor-appointed Chairman, representatives from the Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Marine Resources, Secretary of State's office, University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and a nonprofit environmental group representative, plus two non-voting legislative members.

• Requires the comprehensive plan to establish planning goals, priorities, monitoring requirements, and guidance for project ranking and selection, with full revisions every five years.

• Mandates an annual report on coastal conditions and monitoring efforts to assess whether plan priorities and goals are being met.

• Limits TAB administrative expenses to one percent (1%) of funds administered and assigns implementation responsibilities to DMR, DEQ, and the Secretary of State.