A new effort to create a Conservation Trust in Mississippi could become reality
A group of Mississippi and national conservation groups including Wildlife Mississippi, Ducks Unlimited, the Nature Conservancy, Delta Council / Delta Wildlife, Coastal Conservation Association and the Foundation for MDWFP are banding together to promote a program to create a conservation trust using a sales tax diversion from the existing sales of sporting goods.
The bill was introduced by Representative Scott Bounds and co-authored by Representatives Lamar and Miles who helped shepherd HB 1231 through the House of Representatives.
The bill will establish the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund and redirect up to $15 million of existing sales taxes on outdoor sporting goods to be dedicated to conservation efforts. Similar programs are in effect in neighboring states such as Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.
“This is one of the greatest pieces of Legislation to come before the House in my time here, maybe in the history of the state for Conservation purposes,” said Rep. Trey Lamar.
Read more: https://yallpolitics.com/2021/02/22/a-new-effort-to-create-a-conservation-trust-in-mississippi-could-become-reality/