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MS HB1069
Bill
Status
Engrossed
2/11/2026
Primary Sponsor
Jeff Hale
Click for details
AI Summary
- Grants the Mississippi Public Service Commission exclusive authority over siting, construction, and operation of wind tower facilities with rated capacity of 5 megawatts or more, requiring a certificate of public convenience and necessity for approval
- Establishes setback requirements: 3,000 feet from adjacent agricultural property lines without written consent, 1 mile from dwellings/schools/churches, 3 miles from wildlife refuges, and 2 miles from critical wetland habitats
- Requires developers to post decommissioning bonds covering full removal and land restoration costs; facilities inactive for 12 consecutive months must begin removal within 180 days or forfeit the bond
- Creates the Wind Tower Agricultural and Environmental Impacts Study Committee, chaired by the Commissioner of Agriculture, to study aviation incidents, wildlife mortality, and farmland loss, with a report due January 1, 2027
- Imposes civil penalties up to $10,000 per day for violations, with the state authorized to recover enforcement and restoration costs from posted financial assurance
Legislative Description
"MS Agricultural and Farmland Wind Tower Protection Act of 2026"; create.
Last Action
Decline to Concur/Invite Conf
3/16/2026
Committee Referrals
Energy2/17/2026
Energy1/16/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available