Mississippi Code Title 39. Libraries, Arts, Archives and History § 39-7-23

The board is hereby authorized to expend such sums, from any appropriations hereafter made for such purposes, as it may deem advisable, to purchase from the salvager or permittee such salvager's or permittee's share, or portion thereof, of items recovered which in the opinion of the board should remain the property of the State of Mississippi. The board is authorized and empowered to accept gifts, grants, devises, and bequests of money, securities, or property to be used in the purchase of such items from the salvager or permittee. Further, in this respect, the board may enter into contracts or agreements with such persons, firms, corporations, or institutions, as it might choose, whereby such persons, firms, corporations, or institutions, for the privilege of retaining temporary possession of such items, may advance to the board the money necessary to procure from the salvager or permittee such items as the board might determine should remain the property of the State of Mississippi, upon the condition that at any time the board may choose to repay to such person, firm, corporation, or institution such sum so advanced, without interest or additional charge of any kind, it may do so and may recover possession of such items. During the time these items are in the possession of the person, firm, corporation, or institution advancing the money for the purchase thereof, they shall be available for viewing by the general public without charge or at no more than a nominal admission fee, and such items may not be removed from the State of Mississippi for appraisal, exhibition, or restorative purposes, except upon written authorization of the board.