SB2639 • 2026

Crawfish farm; require a license to operate.

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI CRAWFISH FARMING LICENSE; TO DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS TO OVERSEE CRAWFISH FARMING LICENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Agriculture

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Whaley
Last action: 2026-02-12
Official status: Dead
Effective date: July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Mississippi Crawfish Farming License Act

This bill requires people who want to farm crawfish in privately owned waters or ponds to get a license from the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.

What This Bill Does

Defines 'crawfish' as freshwater crustaceans of genera Cambarus or Astacus.
Requires anyone wanting to farm crawfish in private waters or ponds to apply for a license with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce.
Gives the Department of Agriculture and Commerce the power to make rules about how to get and follow the crawfish farming license.

Who It Names or Affects

People who want to farm crawfish in private waters or ponds
The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce

Terms To Know

Crawfish: Freshwater crustaceans like those from the genera Cambarus or Astacus.
Crawfish farming: The process of raising, harvesting, and producing crawfish in a controlled environment on private property.

Limits and Unknowns

This bill did not pass during the session it was introduced.
It is unclear how many people currently farm crawfish without licenses.

Bill History

2026-02-12 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/12 (S) Died On Calendar
2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
02/03 (S) Title Suff Do Pass
2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System
01/19 (S) Referred To Agriculture

Official Summary Text

Crawfish farm; require a license to operate.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

S. B. No. 2639 *SS08/R1197* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS08/R1197
PAGE 1 (ab\tb)

To: Agriculture
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Whaley

SENATE BILL NO. 2639

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI CRAWFISH FARMING LICENSE; TO 1
DEFINE RELEVANT TERMS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT 2
OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS 3
TO OVERSEE CRAWFISH FARMING LICENSES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 5
SECTION 1. (1) For the purpose of this section: 6
(a) "Crawfish" means freshwater crustaceans of genera 7
Cambarus or Astacus; and 8
(b) "Crawfish farming" means the raising, harvesting 9
and production of crawfish, from eggs to food size, in a 10
controlled, privately owned environment. 11
(2) Any person who wishes to engage in the farming of 12
crawfish in privately owned waters or ponds, must apply to the 13
Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce for a crawfish 14
farming license. 15
(3) The Department of Agriculture and Commerce shall have 16
the authority to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to 17
establish, oversee and regulate the crawfish farming license 18
required in subsection (2) of this section. 19
S. B. No. 2639 *SS08/R1197* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R1197
PAGE 2 (ab\tb)
ST: Crawfish farm; require a license to
operate.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 20
and after July 1, 2026. 21