Bill Text: MS SB2514 | 2023 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Secretary of State; clarify authority to transfer land records to Department of Archives and History.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-04-17 - Approved by Governor [SB2514 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2023-SB2514-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2023 Regular Session
To: Accountability, Efficiency, Transparency
By: Senator(s) Parker
Senate Bill 2514
(As Sent to Governor)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 7-11-3 AND 7-11-13, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CLARIFY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO TRANSFER LAND RECORDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 7-11-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
7-11-3. The Secretary of State shall have custody of the records of the Surveyor General's Office turned over to this state by the United States, all field notes, plats and maps of surveys of lands belonging to the old office of Swamp Land Commissioner and all other papers, documents and records which were formerly kept in the land office. All such records now in the possession of any other officer shall be delivered to the Secretary of State.
In the event the Secretary of State determines that due to age, condition or material that the preservation of records is not within the capabilities of his office to be maintained, the Secretary of State may transfer said documents to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for preservation. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History shall allow the Secretary of State access to said documents or a copy thereof, so as to enable the Secretary of State to fulfill the responsibilities of State Land Commissioner.
SECTION 2. Section 7-11-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
7-11-13. All state land records, all levee land records, and all other land records, except assessment rolls, shall be kept in the office of the Secretary of State and be held by him.
The Secretary of State shall keep a record of all state-owned lands in a separate and well bound book. He is authorized and empowered to request of any board, commission, department or other state agency having under its jurisdiction state-owned lands the records herein required to be recorded in his office, and it shall be the duty of any state agency to comply with the request of the Secretary of State. In the event the Secretary of State determines that due to age, condition or material that the preservation of records is not within the capabilities of his office to be maintained, the Secretary of State may transfer said documents to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for preservation. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History shall allow the Secretary of State access to said documents or a copy thereof, so as to enable the Secretary of State to fulfill the responsibilities of the State Land Commissioner.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.
