Authority of Secretary of State to approve leases on Public Trust Tidelands; clarify.

HB 1480 clarifies that the Mississippi Secretary of State must approve all leases for Public Trust Tidelands used by gaming operations, overriding any local authority. It directly affects gaming licensees seeking to use tidelands for casinos, requiring them to obtain a separate lease from the Secretary of State (not local governments) for properties in the state's three southernmost counties. Key provisions include setting a 40-year maximum lease term for gaming sites with rent adjustments tied to inflation or property value, and prohibiting leases for gaming on constructed beaches. The bill exempts existing gaming sites approved before December 31, 2024, from this requirement. It also confirms the Secretary of State holds exclusive authority over tidelands management unless specifically divested by law.