Conservation and Water Resources

HB 1759 would have transferred regulatory authority for surface mining and reclamation operations from the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). This change would have placed all oversight - including permit decisions, bond releases, and reclamation requirements - under the DEQ's management, with the DEQ Executive Director authorized to assign responsibilities within the department. The bill directly affected mining operators and landowners in Mississippi by shifting their regulatory oversight to the DEQ. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and did not become law.

HB 1756 modifies Mississippi's hazardous waste management regulations. It allows the Mississippi Environmental Quality Permit Board to decide whether to hold public hearings for permits at its discretion (instead of requiring them), eliminates application fees for permits, and gives the board flexibility in how it notifies permit holders about expirations. The bill also updates provisions related to brownfields cleanup programs and permits for commercial municipal solid waste landfills or incinerators. These changes directly affect commercial hazardous waste facilities, municipal waste operators, and permit applicants by streamlining administrative processes and reducing costs.

HB 474 establishes a three-year pilot program for students in Lee and Monroe counties to learn about environmental stewardship, including soil, water, plants, animals, air, and land ownership. The program, administered jointly by the county boards of supervisors, will teach students the importance of maintaining a healthy environment and the economic value of property ownership. It requires annual reports to the legislature detailing participation, costs, effectiveness, and recommendations for expansion, with implementation beginning July 1, 2026, subject to available funding. The bill does not create permanent funding but sets a framework for evaluating the program's potential statewide adoption.

SB 2250 updates Mississippi's asbestos abatement certification rules to recognize additional professional qualifications (like certified industrial hygienist credentials) and remove prior restrictions. It aligns state certification requirements with federal EPA standards (40 C.F.R. § 763.83), specifically revising definitions and training needs for personnel in school, public, and commercial building projects. The bill directly affects asbestos abatement workers, contractors, and building owners who must comply with these updated certification rules for projects involving asbestos-containing materials. It streamlines the process by accepting EPA-approved training courses and updating renewal procedures for management planners and project designers.

HB 966 extends the expiration date of an exemption that allows Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to bypass Public Procurement Review Board requirements when administering the MCWI Grant Program. The MCWI program provides grants to municipalities, counties, and certain public utilities for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) recovery funds. This extension ensures DEQ can continue managing the grant program without standard procurement oversight for an additional period. The bill does not alter the program's funding, eligibility criteria, or project types.