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MS SB2760
Bill
AI Summary
- Removes the state geologist/Office of Geology and Energy Resources from the definition of "department" in surface mining provisions and eliminates the separate definition of "state geologist" from coal mining statutes
- Allows the head of the Office of Geology and Energy Resources to participate in Permit Board actions (previously required to abstain) and expands executive director authority to approve permit transfers and bond releases
- Transfers responsibilities previously assigned to the state geologist to "the department" or "staff of the department," including preparing application summaries, assessing hydrologic impacts, and consulting on bond amounts
- Removes the requirement that changes to the Department of Environmental Quality's consolidation plan must be approved by the Commission, granting the executive director sole authority for such changes
- Assigns the department responsibility for establishing and maintaining the state reclamation program for abandoned mines and for investigating violations of surface coal mining regulations
Legislative Description
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality; remove the state geologist from certain surface mining provisions.
Last Action
Approved by Governor
3/13/2026
Committee Referrals
Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency2/16/2026
Environment Prot, Cons and Water Res1/19/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available