Bill Text: MS SB2918 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Kemp's ridley sea turtle; designate as official state turtle.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 6-0)

Status: (Failed) 2024-03-05 - Died In Committee [SB2918 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2024-SB2918-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2024 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Chassaniol, Younger, Fillingane, Thompson, Wiggins, DeBar

Senate Bill 2918

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 3-3-22, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO DESIGNATE THE KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE AS THE OFFICIAL STATE TURTLE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The following shall be codified as Section 3-3-22, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     3-3-22.  The Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) is hereby designated as the official state turtle of the State of Mississippi.  The Kemp's ridley sea turtle, native to the Gulf of Mexico and North Atlantic Ocean, is the smallest, most endangered sea turtle species.  In 2022, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies discovered the first nest of Kemp's ridley sea turtles on Ship Island, the first step in the restoration and recovery of the species in Mississippi.  It is the intent of the Legislature that this designation bring awareness to the species and affirm Mississippi's commitment to the protection and conservation of the Kemp's ridley sea turtle and its habitat.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.