Senate Bill 2714

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 29-1-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM THE FEE TO BE COLLECTED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR ISSUANCE OF A PATENT TO THE FEE THAT IS DUE TO THE CHANCERY CLERK TO COVER THE COST OF FILING THE PATENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 29-1-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

29-1-81. (1) All conveyances of land by the state in fee shall be by patent issued from the Secretary of State's office; every patent issued shall be under the great seal, signed by the Secretary of State.

(2) (a) The patent shall be issued by the Office of the Secretary of State and delivered to the patentee. A copy thereof shall be retained by the Secretary of State among the records of his office.

(b) The Secretary of State may file the original patent with the chancery clerk and such filing shall constitute the delivery of the patent to the patentee. Prior to filing the original patent, the Secretary of State shall collect from the patentee the * * * ~~sum of Twenty Dollars ($20.00)~~ fee due to the chancery clerk as required by Section 25-7-9 to cover the cost of filing the patent. Failure of the Secretary of State to file the patent shall not affect its validity.

(3) All contracts of sale of public lands shall be issued from the Secretary of State's office in duplicate; and every contract issued shall be under the great seal, signed by the Secretary of State and countersigned by the Governor.

(4) No more than one-quarter (1/4) section of land shall be embraced in the same patent or contract, except as otherwise provided by law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2020.