LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
This page provides summaries of all legislation affecting the agency that was passed during the 2026 state legislative session.
| Bill | Statute | Description | Effective Date |
| HB683 | Amends 49-15-79 (Use of Seine) | Prohibits use of a purse seine within 1 mile of the shoreline in Jackson County | 7/1/26 |
| HB1466 | Amends 69-1-55 (Seafood Labeling) | Authorizes labeling of seafood and crawfish by its country of origin in lieu of the domestic or imported designation; Authorizes food service establishments to use a clearly visible legend in lieu of individual itemization on a menu; Exempts seafood and crawfish that are in compliance with the federal Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements from the state specific labeling requirements; Requires grocery stores, seafood markets and other retail food establishments selling fresh or unfrozen products directly to consumers to comply with state labeling requirements. | 7/1/26 |
| HB1896 | MDMR Appropriation Bill | An Act making an appropriation for the support and maintenance of the Department of Marine Resources for the Fiscal Year 2027. | 7/1/26 |
| SB2263 | Amends 59-21-127 (Functions of Enforcement Officers) & 59-23-5 (Citation, Arrest, and Testing for Alcoholic Content) | To prohibit enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources from performing vessel stops or boarding a vessel without probable cause; to prohibit enforcement officers from performing a vessel stop or boarding a vessel for the sole purpose of performing a safety or marine sanitation equipment inspection; and for related purposes. | 7/1/26 |
| SB2634 | Amends 49-15-21 (Enforcement Officers) | Authorizes payment of MDMR Reserve Unit Officer for special need events with critical shortages of personnel; Establishes criteria for Reserve Officers to be eligible for paid service. | 7/1/26 |