Bill Text: MS SB2659 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Lifetime conservationist legacy license; create for residents who are age 65 or older.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)
Status: (Failed) 2026-03-03 - Died In Committee [SB2659 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2026-SB2659-Engrossed.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks
By: Senator(s) Michel
Senate Bill 2659
(As Passed the Senate)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-153, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A RESIDENT WHO IS 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER MAY PURCHASE A LIFETIME CONSERVATIONIST LEGACY LICENSE TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND TO LEAVE A LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS; TO SET THE FEE FOR A LIFETIME LEGACY LICENSE AT NOT LESS THAN $250.00; TO AMEND SECTION 49-7-151, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 49-7-153, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-153. (1) Any resident may purchase a lifetime sportsman hunting and fishing license by filing an application in the office of the department. The license shall qualify the licensee to take all fish, game and fowl, except waterfowl, including deer and turkey, in the manner provided by law. The license shall also permit the licensee to hunt with primitive weapons and bow and arrow, and to fish in the public waters of the state, including the taking of crabs, oysters, shrimp and any saltwater fish authorized to be taken under a recreational license.
(2) The department may issue a resident lifetime sportsman license at a fee to be determined by the commission at an amount not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for a person thirteen (13) years of age or older and not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for a person under thirteen (13) years of age. All lifetime licenses shall be issued from the office of the department. Each application for a lifetime license must be accompanied by a certified copy of the birth certificate of the individual to be named as the license holder, if the individual is twelve (12) years of age or under.
(3) The commission shall establish proof of residency requirements for the purchase of a lifetime license, and shall also establish such restrictions on and regulations for lifetime licenses as it deems necessary and proper. Except as otherwise provided in this section, an applicant for a resident lifetime license must have been domiciled in this state for eighteen (18) consecutive months immediately preceding the date of his application for a license. The burden of proving domicile shall be on the applicant.
(4) The department may issue a native son or daughter resident lifetime sportsman hunting and fishing license if official documents reflect that one of the applicant's parents was born in the State of Mississippi and was on active military service at the time of the applicant's birth.
Such license may be issued at a fee to be determined by the commission at an amount not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for a person thirteen (13) years of age or older and not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) for a person under thirteen (13) years of age.
The applicant must provide a certified copy of an original birth certificate of such parent showing that the parent was born in Mississippi and provide official documents indicating that such parent was on active military service at the time of the applicant's birth.
An applicant for such license shall not be required to
have been domiciled in this state for eighteen (18) consecutive months immediately preceding the date of his or her application for a license.
(5) The department may issue a native son or daughter nonresident lifetime sportsman hunting and fishing license. The commission shall establish the fee, but the fee shall not be less than One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00). The applicant must provide a certified copy of the original birth certificate showing that the applicant was born in Mississippi and/or if the parents' address was in Mississippi at the time of birth as shown on the birth certificate or other documents and/or official documents reflect that one of said parents was on active military service outside the State of Mississippi at the time of said birth.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, if the birth certificate of each parent reflects that each parent was born in the State of Mississippi, then any child born outside the State of Mississippi of those parents may be issued a nonresident lifetime sportsman license for the above set out fee.
(6) The department may issue a lifetime conservationist legacy license to residents who are sixty-five (65) years of age or older at a fee to be determined by the commission at an amount not less than Two Hundred Fifty Dollars ($250.00). While exempted from having to have a license to hunt or fish under Section 49-7-5(2)(a), residents who desire to continue to support and promote conservation and leave a legacy for future generations may purchase a lifetime legacy license. Possession of a lifetime legacy license shall serve as conclusive proof of the license holder's exemption from having to have a license by virtue of his or her age.
( * * *7) Any materially false statement
contained in an application for a lifetime license renders void the license
issued pursuant to that application, and subjects the applicant to criminal
prosecution under Section 49-7-45.
( * * *8) Nothing in this section exempts an
applicant for a lifetime license from meeting other qualifications or
requirements otherwise established by law for the privilege of hunting or
fishing.
SECTION 2. Section 49-7-151, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
49-7-151. Recognizing the inestimable importance to the state and its citizens of conserving the wildlife resources of Mississippi and recognizing the desires of many citizens who wish to make a lifetime contribution to preserve our rich legacy of wildlife resources for future generations, it is the intention of the Legislature to create a lifetime sportsman license, a lifetime legacy license and the Mississippi Wildlife Endowment Fund.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2026.
