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SB2658 • 2026

Pat Harrison Waterway District; allow to offer discounts for members of U.S. Armed Forces.

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 51-15-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE PAT HARRISON WATERWAY DISTRICT TO OFFER DISCOUNTS TO ACTIVE-DUTY, RESERVE, NATIONAL GUARD, AS WELL AS VETERAN MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FOR THE USE OF DISTRICT PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS, FACILITIES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS; TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY TO THE DISTRICT IN SETTING THE RATES AND TERMS OF SUCH DISCOUNTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

Did Not Pass

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

Sponsor
Tate
Last action
2026-02-03
Official status
Dead
Effective date
July 1, 20

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how the district's board will determine discount rates, terms, or eligibility requirements beyond authorizing such actions. The bill did not pass during the session, so it is uncertain if any policies would be created to verify eligibility.

Pat Harrison Waterway District Discount Program for Military Members

This bill allows the Pat Harrison Waterway District to offer discounts on park and recreational area fees to members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including veterans.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows the Pat Harrison Waterway District to provide discounts to active-duty military personnel, reserve members, National Guard members, and veterans for using district parks and facilities.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including active-duty personnel, reserve members, National Guard members, and veterans.
  • The Pat Harrison Waterway District

Terms To Know

Pat Harrison Waterway District
A district in Mississippi that manages parks, campgrounds, and recreational areas.
Discounts
Reduced prices or fees for using park facilities and services.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass during the session.
  • It is unclear how much funding would be needed to implement these discounts.

Bill History

  1. 2026-02-03 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    02/03 (S) Died In Committee

  2. 2026-01-19 Mississippi Legislative Bill Status System

    01/19 (S) Referred To Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks

Official Summary Text

Pat Harrison Waterway District; allow to offer discounts for members of U.S. Armed Forces.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
S. B. No. 2658 *SS08/R1168* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G3/5
26/SS08/R1168
PAGE 1 (rdd\kr)

To: Wildlife, Fisheries and
Parks
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Tate

SENATE BILL NO. 2658

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 51-15-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, 1
TO AUTHORIZE THE PAT HARRISON WATERWAY DISTRICT TO OFFER DISCOUNTS 2
TO ACTIVE-DUTY, RESERVE, NATIONAL GUARD, AS WELL AS VETERAN 3
MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FOR THE USE OF DISTRICT 4
PARKS, CAMPGROUNDS, FACILITIES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS; TO PROVIDE 5
FLEXIBILITY TO THE DISTRICT IN SETTING THE RATES AND TERMS OF SUCH 6
DISCOUNTS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 8
SECTION 1. Section 51-15-123, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 9
amended as follows: 10
51-15-123. (1) The Pat Harrison Waterway District is 11
authorized to establish or otherwise provide for public parks and 12
recreation facilities and for the preservation of fish and 13
wildlife, and to acquire land otherwise than by condemnation 14
except as provided in subsection (e) of Section 51-15-119 for such 15
purposes, within the project area. 16
(2) In addition to any other powers granted by law, the 17
district is authorized to establish and implement discount 18
programs for active-duty, reserve, National Guard, as well as 19
veteran members of the United States Armed Forces for access to 20
S. B. No. 2658 *SS08/R1168* ~ OFFICIAL ~
26/SS08/R1168
PAGE 2 (rdd\kr)
ST: Pat Harrison Waterway District; allow to
offer discounts for members of U.S. Armed
Forces.
and use of district parks, campgrounds, facilities and other 21
recreational areas. 22
(3) The district's board of directors shall have the 23
discretion to determine the eligibility requirements, discount 24
rates, and terms and conditions applicable to such military 25
discount programs. Such discounts may include, but are not 26
limited to, reduced entrance fees, camping fees, facility rentals 27
or other user charges. 28
(4) The district's board of directors may adopt policies, 29
procedures and documentation requirements as necessary to verify 30
eligibility and administer the discounts authorized by this 31
section. 32
(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the 33
district's authority to offer other promotional or public benefit 34
programs consistent with its statutory purposes. 35
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 36
and after July 1, 2026. 37