Miss. Code Ann. § 21-27-251

For the purposes of this section and Section 21-27-253 , the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed by this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (a) “ Governing body ” means the Mayor and Board of Aldermen or Council, as applicable, of a town. (b) “ Short-line railroad project ” means any combination of the acquisition, restoration, construction, ownership, operation, oversight, maintenance and disposition of a short-line railroad by a town. (c) “ Short-line railroad ” means a rail line that is no more than fifty (50) total route miles in length, located within and without the State of Mississippi, together with the line's corresponding right-of-way, fixtures, facilities, and related improvements, and that, as an independent operating concern, would qualify under the standards of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board as a Class III rail carrier under 49 CFR 1201(1-1) . (d) “ Town ” means a municipal corporation existing within the State of Mississippi classified as a town pursuant to Section 21-1-1, Mississippi Code of 1972 , as of April 20, 2024, with a short-line railroad partially located within its municipal boundaries.