Bill Text: MS HB24 | 2014 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Bill 24 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Distinctive motor vehicle license tags; authorize for various purposes.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2014-03-31 - Died In Conference [HB24 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2014-HB24-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2014 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Zuber

House Bill 24

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF FRIENDS OF JACKSON COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER PETS; TO PRESCRIBE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH LICENSE TAGS; O AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS MEMORIAL FUND; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE LAWRENCE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE PASS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI VISION FOUNDATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI BAND OF CHOCTAW INDIANS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF COSMETOLOGY; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF MERIDIAN HIGH SCHOOL; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE PONTOTOC CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF MOSS POINT HIGH SCHOOL; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF FOREST HIGH SCHOOL; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF MISSISSIPPI MOTOSTEPS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY TRAINING; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE CHOCTAW COUNTY CHARGERS; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAG HONORING FALLEN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND DESIGNATING THE MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER AS A SUPPORTER OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FIRE FIGHTERS DEATH BENEFITS TRUST FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-44, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXEMPT THE DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAG FROM THE REQUIREMENT THAT IN ORDER FOR THE TAG TO BE PRODUCED, PROOF THAT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF THE TAGS WILL BE PURCHASED AND AN AMOUNT NECESSARY TO PAY FOR THE TAGS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WITHIN THREE YEARS OF THE TAG'S AUTHORIZATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION, INC.; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF WEST LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ADDITIONAL FEES COLLECTED; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REAUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS DISPLAYING THE EMBLEM OF A PUBLIC JUNIOR COLLEGE OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN THIS STATE; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REAUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS THAT DISPLAY THE EMBLEMS OF UNIVERSITIES LOCATED IN OTHER STATES; TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE FEES COLLECTED FROM THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS DISPLAYING THE EMBLEM OF CLEMSON UNIVERSITY SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE UNIVERSITY; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.133, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REAUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.14, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PERSONS TO WHOM THE GRAND LODGE OF MISSISSIPPI, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAG MAY BE ISSUED; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.27, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT OF MARINE RESOURCES SHALL BE ISSUED TO SUPPORTERS OF MISSISSIPPI MARINE LIFE RATHER THAN THE MISSISSIPPI SEAFOOD INDUSTRY AND TO REQUIRE FEES COLLECTED FROM THE ISSUANCE OF THE LICENSE TAGS TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE MISSISSIPPI MARINE LIFE PROGRAM ACCOUNT WITHIN THE SEAFOOD FUND RATHER THAN THE MISSISSIPPI SEAFOOD MARKETING PROGRAM ACCOUNT; TO AMEND SECTION 49-15-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.22, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE AN OPTIONAL DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAG DESIGN FOR MEMBERS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR LICENSE TAGS FOR MOTORCYCLES, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-47.1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE TAGS FOR ANTIQUE MOTORCYCLES, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-48, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF PERSONALIZED LICENSE TAGS, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-49, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL MOTORCYCLE LICENSE TAGS FOR MEMBERS OF SHRINE MOTORCYCLE CLUBS, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-56, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE TAGS TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-56.5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE TAGS TO PEARL HARBOR SURVIVORS AND PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-56.9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL LICENSE TAGS TO PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-19-56.125, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH AUTHORIZES THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTORCYCLE LICENSE TAGS TO VETERANS OF THE ARMED FORCES, FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The application and the additional fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less Two Dollars ($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(3) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 1, 2014, any person applying for a distinctive license tag under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied for under this section, which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the original application is made for a distinctive license tag under this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector.

(4) The Department of Revenue shall deposit all fees into the State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the Department of Revenue shall certify to the State Treasurer the total fees collected under this section from the issuance of the distinctive license tags issued under this section. The State Treasurer shall distribute such collections as follows:

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Friends of Jackson County Animal Shelter Pets.

(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the regular license tag.

(6) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag and the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued under this section.

SECTION 2. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Eight Dollars ($8.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

(b) Eight Dollars ($8.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund created in Section 45-2-1.

(c) Eight Dollars ($8.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Police Benevolent Foundation, Inc.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(e) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

(f) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 3. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Lawrence County School District. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Lawrence County School District, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Lawrence County School District.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 4. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Pass Christian School District. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Pass Christian School District, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Pass Christian School District for use to support school-authorized or education-related extracurricular activities including, but not limited to, athletics, academic teams, art, band, choir, honor societies, music and theatre.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 5. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Mississippi Vision Foundation. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Mississippi Optometric Association, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Mississippi Vision Foundation.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 6. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The distinctive license tags so issued shall display the word "Chahta" and shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Tribal Council of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Tribal Council of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 7. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the State Board of Cosmetology. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the State Board of Cosmetology, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the State Board of Cosmetology.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 8. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Meridian High School. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Principal of Meridian High School, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to Meridian High School.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 9. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Pontotoc City School District. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Pontotoc City School District, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Pontotoc City School District.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 10. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of Moss Point High School. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Principal of Moss Point High School, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Moss Point School District for deposit into a special fund created by the district and used for the purpose of supporting academic programs and activities in the district.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 11. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Forest High School. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Principal of Forest High School, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to Forest High School for use by the school in establishing and operating a scholarship program.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 12. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of Mississippi MoToSteps Motorcycle Safety Training. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of Mississippi MoToSteps Motorcycle Safety Training, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to MoToSteps Motorcycle Safety Training.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 13. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Choctaw County Chargers. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Choctaw County School District, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Choctaw County School District for deposit into its general fund.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 14. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued, for any motor vehicle registered in his name, a distinctive license tag honoring fallen law enforcement officers in the State of Mississippi and designating the motor vehicle owner as a supporter of the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund created under Section 45-2-1. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Department of Public Safety, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund created under Section 45-2-1.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 15. Section 27-19-44, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-44. (1) For any distinctive license tag or plate authorized by the Legislature from and after July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2002, or authorized by Sections 27-19-56.37 and 27-19-56.55, the requirements of this subsection must be met before the Department of Revenue may prepare or issue any such license tag or plate. The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must submit proof satisfactory to the Department of Revenue that at least one hundred (100) of such license tags or plates will be purchased and must deposit with the department an amount necessary to purchase one hundred (100) of such license tags or plates. The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must satisfy the requirements of this subsection (1) within two (2) years after the effective date of the law authorizing the license tag or plate in order to permit the license tag or plate to be prepared and issued.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (1) of this section, for any distinctive license tag or plate authorized by the Legislature from and after July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2007, the requirements of this subsection must be met before the Department of Revenue may prepare or issue any such license tag or plate. The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must submit proof satisfactory to the Department of Revenue that at least two hundred (200) of such license tags or plates will be purchased and must deposit with the department an amount necessary to purchase two hundred (200) of such license tags or plates. The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must satisfy the requirements of this subsection (2) within three (3) years after the effective date of the law authorizing the license tag or plate in order to permit the license tag or plate to be prepared and issued.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, Section 27-19-56.56, Section 27-19-56.59, Section 27-19-56.94, Section 27-19-56.7 or Section 27-19-56.85, for any distinctive license tag or plate authorized or reauthorized by the Legislature from and after July 1, 2007, the following requirements must be met before the Department of Revenue may prepare or issue any such license tag or plate:

(a) The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must submit proof satisfactory to the Department of Revenue that at least three hundred (300) of such license tags or plates will be purchased and must deposit with the department an amount necessary to purchase three hundred (300) of such license tags or plates.

(b) The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must satisfy the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection (3) within three (3) years after the effective date of the law authorizing the license tag or plate in order to permit the license tag or plate to be prepared and issued. This paragraph (b) shall not apply to distinctive tags or plates issued under Section 27-19-56.154.

(4) Any distinctive license tag authorized under Sections 27-19-56.186 * * *~~and~~, 27-19-56.203 and 27-19-56.315 must meet the requirements of this subsection before the Department of Revenue may prepare or issue any such license tag or plate. The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must submit proof satisfactory to the Department of Revenue that at least one hundred (100) of such license tags or plates will be purchased and must deposit with the department an amount necessary to purchase one hundred (100) of such license tags or plates. The organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate must satisfy the requirements of this subsection (4) within three (3) years after the effective date of the law authorizing the license tag or plate in order to permit the license tag or plate to be prepared and issued.

(5) If the organization or other entity for which the Legislature authorized the distinctive license tag or plate meets the requirements of subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) of this section, the Department of Revenue shall prepare and issue the distinctive license tag or plate.

(6) The Department of Revenue shall review the number of distinctive or special license tags or plates issued pursuant to this chapter during the period for the license tag or plate series. If the number of any distinctive or special license tag or plate issued pursuant to this chapter falls below one hundred (100) in the last year of the license tag or plate series, the distinctive or special license tag or plate shall be discontinued at the end of the period for the license tag or plate series.

(7) If a distinctive or special license tag or plate is discontinued under subsection (6) of this section, the organization or other entity for which the license tag or plate was discontinued may prepare a distinctive or special license tag or plate decal. The distinctive or special license tag or plate decal shall be of such size, color and design as may be agreed upon by the organization or other entity and the Department of Revenue. However, the Department of Revenue shall have final approval of the size, color and design of the decal. The distinctive or special license tag or plate decals shall be prepared and sold by the organization or other entity, and the proceeds derived from the sale of such decals shall be retained by the organization or other entity for any use deemed appropriate by the organization or other entity.

(8) The provisions of this section shall not apply to distinctive or special license tags or plates:

(a) Which are issued under Section 27-19-45, 27-19-46, 27-19-47.1, 27-19-47.2, 27-19-48, 27-19-49, 27-19-53, 27-19-55, 27-19-56, 27-19-56.1, 27-19-56.2, 27-19-56.3, 27-19-56.5, 27-19-56.6, 27-19-56.9, 27-19-56.11, 27-19-56.12, 27-19-56.13, 27-19-56.62, 27-19-56.69, 27-19-56.79, 27-19-56.90, 27-19-56.125, 27-19-56.127, 27-19-56.137, 27-19-56.162, 27-19-56.187, 27-19-56.199, Section 27-19-56.239 or Sections 27-19-56.292 and 27-19-56.318 or Section 14 of this act; or

(b) For which no additional fee is required to be paid.

SECTION 16. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Mississippi Wildlife Enforcement Officers' Association, Inc. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Mississippi Wildlife Enforcement Officers' Association, Inc., may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-two Dollars ($22.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Mississippi Wildlife Enforcement Officers' Association, Inc.

(b) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children.

(c) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(d) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

(e) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 17. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of West Lauderdale High School. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Principal of West Lauderdale High School, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the West Lauderdale Touchdown Club.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

SECTION 18. Section 27-19-56.7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.7. (1) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 1, * * * ~~2008~~2014, owners of motor vehicles upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), shall be issued a special license tag which displays the emblem of the public junior college or community college of his choice located in this state.

(2) Each junior college and community college shall design the emblem which shall be displayed on the special license tag. The emblem shall be affixed during the production of the license tag.

(3) Application for the special license tags shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the * * * ~~State Tax Commission~~Department of Revenue. The application and the additional fee, less five percent (5%) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the * * * ~~State Tax Commission~~Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the * * * ~~commission~~department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(4) The special license tag shall be issued for a one-year period. The additional annual fee shall be due and payable at the time of renewal registration.

(5) The * * * ~~State Tax Commission~~Department of Revenue shall deposit all fees into the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, the * * * ~~State Tax Commission~~Department of Revenue shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such collections as follows:

(a) Thirty-two Dollars and Fifty Cents ($32.50) of each additional fee collected on special license tags shall be deposited in a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury to the credit of the public junior college or community college named on the special license tag. The funds shall be available for expenditure at the discretion of the public junior college or community college.

(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on special license tags shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(c) The remainder of each such additional fee shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

(6) In order for a license tag for a community or junior college to be prepared and issued by the * * * ~~State Tax Commission~~Department of Revenue, the provisions of Section 27-19-44(2) shall be satisfied prior to July 1, * * * ~~2011~~2017.

SECTION 19. Section 27-19-56.15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.15. (1) (a) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 1, * * * ~~2012~~2014, any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount of Fifty Dollars ($50.00), shall be issued a distinctive license tag that displays the emblem of any public or private university of his choice located in another state.

(b) The design of the emblems for the distinctive license tags authorized under this subsection shall be determined by agreement between the Department of Revenue and the governing authorities of public or private universities in the states where the universities are located. Such other design characteristics and information to be contained on such distinctive license tags shall be determined by the Department of Revenue.

(c) Application for the distinctive license tag authorized under this subsection shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(d) (i) The Department of Revenue shall deposit all fees that it receives under this subsection into the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, the Department of Revenue shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (d), shall distribute such collections as follows:

1. Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of the additional fees collected from each distinctive license tag issued under this subsection shall be deposited into the State General Fund.

2. One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

3. Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

4. One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

(ii) The Treasurer shall distribute fees collected under this section from the issuance of distinctive license tags displaying the emblem of Auburn University as follows:

1. Except as otherwise provided in this item 1, Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Adult Education Department of the Rankin County School District for the purpose of providing funds for the Rankin County School District GED Scholarship Endowment. However, from and after January 1, 2013, Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags pursuant to this section shall be distributed to Habitat for Humanity/Metro Jackson, Inc.

2. One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

3. Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

4. One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

(iii) The State Treasurer shall distribute fees collected under this section from the issuance of distinctive license tags displaying the emblem of the University of Alabama as follows:

1. Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Friends of Children's Hospital.

(iv) The State Treasurer shall distribute fees collected under this section from the issuance of distinctive license tags displaying the emblem of the University of South Alabama as follows:

1. Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund established in Section 41-59-75.

(v) The State Treasurer shall distribute fees collected under this section from the issuance of distinctive license tags displaying the emblem of the University of Oklahoma as follows:

1. Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags pursuant to this section shall be distributed to Mississippi Gulf Coast Y.M.C.A., Inc.

(vi) The State treasurer shall distribute fees collected under this section from the issuance of distinctive license tags displaying the emblem of the Louisiana State University as follows:

1. Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Bayou Bengal Booster Club of Mississippi to be utilized by the club to make contributions to charitable organizations that are approved by the Chancellor of Louisiana State University.

(vii) The State Treasurer shall distribute fees collected under this section from the issuance of distinctive license tags displaying the emblem of Clemson University as follows:

1. Forty-four Dollars ($44.00) of each additional fee collected on such distinctive license tags pursuant to this section shall be distributed to Clemson University.

(2) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the regular license tag.

(3) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag and the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued under this section.

(4) In order for a distinctive license tag for a university to be issued pursuant to this section, the provisions of Section 27-19-44(3) must be satisfied for such university license tag prior to July 1, * * *~~2013~~ 2017.

SECTION 20. Section 27-19-56.133, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.133. (1) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 1, 2011, any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(3) Any person applying for a distinctive license tag under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied for under this section, which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the original application is made for a distinctive license tag under this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Mississippi Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs.

(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2.

(7) In order for a distinctive license tag to be issued under this section, the provisions of Section 27-19-44(3) must be satisfied for the distinctive license tag before July 1, * * *~~2014~~ 2017.

SECTION 21. Section 27-19-56.14, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.14. (1) * * * Any owner of a motor vehicle or motorcycle, or both, who is (a) a member of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, Free and Accepted Masons, his wife, * * * ~~unmarried~~daughter, mother, * * * ~~or unmarried~~sister or widow or (b) a person approved by a Master Mason in good standing with the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, Free and Accepted Masons, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00), shall be entitled to a special motor vehicle license tag or motorcycle license tag, as applicable, which displays the Freemason emblem and displays the words "Grand Lodge of Mississippi." * * *

(2) The tags shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue shall prescribe subject to the approval of the Mississippi License Tag Commission.

(3) Application for the special license tags shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. Applicants for such distinctive license tags shall present to the issuing official documentation from the Grand Lodge of Mississippi as prescribed by the Department of Revenue * * *. The application and the additional fee, less five percent (5%) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(4) The special license tag shall be issued for a one-year period. The additional annual fee shall be due and payable at the time of renewal registration.

(5) The Department of Revenue shall deposit all fees into the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, the Department of Revenue shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such collections as follows:

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on special license tags shall be deposited in a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury to the credit of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. The funds shall be available for expenditure at the discretion of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi.

(b) The remainder of each such additional fee shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

SECTION 22. Section 27-19-56.27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.27. (1) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 1, 2011, any owner of a motor vehicle, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00), shall be issued a special license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Mississippi * * * ~~seafood industry~~marine life and displaying * * * ~~one (1) of two (2) emblems~~an emblem designed by the Department of Marine Resources.

(2) The distinctive license tag shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of the Department of Marine Resources, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(3) Application for the special license tags shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The application and the additional fee, less five percent (5%) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(4) The special license tag shall be issued for a one-year period. The additional annual fee shall be due and payable at the time of renewal registration.

(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee collected on special license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi * * * ~~Seafood Marketing~~Marine Life Program Account in the Seafood Fund created pursuant to Section 49-15-17.

(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on special license tags shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(c) The remainder of each such additional fee shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

SECTION 23. Section 49-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-15-17. (1) (a) All monies received or obtained by the commission under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid over by the commission to the State Treasurer and shall be deposited into the fund known as the "Seafood Fund." All revenues collected through the department, to include, but not limited to, commercial saltwater licenses and taxes, permits, fines and penalties, and confiscated catches, shall be deposited into the department operating account (Seafood Fund) and expended for the operation of the department, as authorized by the Legislature.

(b) There is established a special account to be known as the "Artificial Reef Program Account" within the Seafood Fund. Any funds received from any public or private source for the purpose of promoting, constructing, monitoring or maintaining artificial reefs in the marine waters of the state or in federal waters adjacent to the marine waters of the state shall be credited to the account. Any unexpended funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the Seafood Fund, but shall remain in the account. The department may expend any funds in the account, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, to accomplish the purpose of the account.

(c) There is established a special account to be known as the "Coastal Preserve Account" within the Seafood Fund. Any funds received from any public or private source for the purpose of management, improvement and acquisition of coastal preserves in the state and money required to be deposited pursuant to Sections 27-19-56.10 and 27-19-56.27, shall be credited to the account. Any unexpended funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the Seafood Fund, but shall remain in the account. The department may expend any funds in the account, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, for the management, improvement and acquisition of coastal preserves.

(d) There is established a special account to be known as the "Mississippi Seafood Marketing Program Account" within the Seafood Fund. * * * Any funds received from any public or private source for the purpose of promoting the Mississippi seafood industry must be credited to the account. Any unexpended funds remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year do not lapse into the Seafood Fund, but remain in the account. The department may expend any funds in the account, subject to appropriation by the Legislature, to accomplish the purposes of this account including, but not limited to, providing funds for cobia stock enhancement programs.

(2) The fund shall be treated as a special trust fund and interest earned on the principal shall be credited to the fund.

(3) The secretary of the commission shall keep accurate reports of monies handled as a part of the permanent records of the commission, and the State Treasurer shall furnish the secretary of the commission such forms as may be needed, and the secretary shall account for such forms in his reports to the Treasurer.

SECTION 24. Section 27-19-56.22, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.22. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority or Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00), shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a member or supporter of such organization. The distinctive license tags so issued shall display the Greek letters of the organization and shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue may prescribe * * *,; however, from and after July 1, 2014, there shall be two (2) special tag designs which may be issued under this section to a person who is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. One (1) shall be the design issued prior to July 1, 2014, and the other shall be a new design which shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue, with the advice of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, may prescribe. * * * ~~and~~Tags issued pursuant to this section shall also consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. Applicants for an Alpha Phi Alpha distinctive license tag must present either a current or past Alpha Phi Alpha membership card or documentation signed by the president of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha in which the county is located verifying that the applicant is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Upon applying for an Alpha Phi Alpha distinctive license tag, the applicant shall select which of the two (2) tag designs he desires to be issued. The application and the additional fee imposed under subsection (1) of this section, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(3) The distinctive license tag shall be issued for a one-year period. The additional annual fee shall be due and payable at the time of renewal registration.

(4) The Department of Revenue shall deposit all fees into the State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the Department of Revenue shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such collections as follows:

(a) (i) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on the distinctive license tags issued to members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Coleman, Alexander, Possner Foundation. However, upon the request of a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Coleman, Alexander, Possner Foundation shall distribute to the local chapter an amount equal to the fees generated by the purchase, on or after the first day of the next month beginning after the date of such request, of the distinctive license tags by members of the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and by those members who purchased distinctive license tags by documentation signed by the president of the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority in which the county is located. The Department of Revenue shall furnish to the Coleman, Alexander, Possner Foundation such information as is necessary for the foundation to distribute the fees in such manner. The Coleman, Alexander, Possner Foundation may deduct an administrative fee in the amount of Two Dollars ($2.00) from the additional fee generated from the purchase of each distinctive license tag which is distributed to a local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

(ii) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on the distinctive license tags issued to members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity pursuant to this section shall be distributed to Alpha Foundation, Inc., of Jackson, Mississippi. However, upon the request of a local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Foundation, Inc., of Jackson, Mississippi, shall distribute to the local chapter an amount equal to the fees generated by the purchase of the distinctive license tags by members of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and by those members who purchased distinctive license tags by documentation signed by the president of the local chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in which the county is located.

(iii) It is the intent of the Legislature that fees paid to the Coleman, Alexander, Possner Foundation, which fees were collected on distinctive license tags issued to members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity before July 1, 2003, shall be paid by the Coleman, Alexander, Possner Foundation to Alpha Foundation, Inc., of Jackson, MS.

(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on the distinctive license tags shall be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) month and year license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the license tag.

SECTION 25. Section 27-19-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-35. (1) The tag for motorcycles shall be in every respect similar to the ordinary vehicle tag, subject to regulations of the commission, with the exception that it shall be only six (6) inches wide, and three (3) inches high. It shall have the number and abbreviation "MISS." and an appropriate area provided for year and month decals, as aforesaid, and shall be fastened immovably, in an upright position, at the rear of the cycle, so that it will be plainly visible and legible at all times from the rear of the cycle.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, personalized license tags and special license tags may be issued for motorcycles as provided in Sections 27-19-48, 27-19-56 and 27-19-56.14.

SECTION 26. Section 27-19-47.1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-47.1. (1) Any citizen of the State of Mississippi who owns a registered antique motorcycle may apply to the tax collector in the county of his legal residence, on forms prescribed by the State Tax Commission, for a special antique motorcycle plate to be displayed on such antique motorcycle.

Upon receipt of an application for a special antique motorcycle plate, on a form prescribed by the commission, and upon payment of the fee as prescribed in subsection (2) of this section, the tax collector shall issue to such applicant a special antique motorcycle plate on a permanent basis, and it shall bear no date, but shall bear the inscription "Antique Motorcycle-Mississippi" and shall be valid without renewal as long as the motorcycle is in existence. This special plate shall be issued for the applicant's use only for such motorcycle and in the event of a transfer of title, the owner shall surrender the special plate to the tax collector.

Such special antique motorcycle plate shall be issued in lieu of, and shall have the same legal significance as, ordinary registration plates.

(2) In lieu of the annual license tax and registration fees levied under Mississippi law, a special license tax fee shall be levied on the operation of antique motorcycles. The fee for a license shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) and it shall be issued on a permanent basis without renewal. The fee, less five percent (5%) thereof to be retained by the county tax collector, shall be remitted to the State Tax Commission on a monthly basis as prescribed by the commission. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. The portion of the fee remitted to the tax commission shall be deposited into the State Treasury on the day it is received and shall be deposited by the State Treasurer into the State General Fund.

(3) For the purposes of this section, motorcycles manufactured more than twenty-five (25) years ago shall hereafter be classified as antique motorcycles and shall be exempt from all ad valorem taxes levied by both state, municipal, county and other taxing districts.

SECTION 27. Section 27-19-48, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-48. (1) Owners of motor vehicles and noncommercial trailers who are residents of this state, upon complying with the laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and trailers, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks, other noncommercial motor vehicles and trailers, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (4)(a) of this section, shall be issued a personalized license tag of the same color as regular license tags to consist of the name of the county and not more than seven (7) letters of the alphabet or seven (7) numbers in lieu of the license tag numbering system prescribed by law. The purchaser of the personalized license tag may choose the combination of such letters or numbers, but no two (2) motor vehicles or trailers shall have the same combination of letters or numbers. In the event that the same combination of letters has been chosen by two (2) or more purchasers, the Department of Revenue shall assign a different number to each such purchaser which shall appear on the license tag following the combination of letters; however, this combination shall not exceed seven (7) letters and/or numbers. The combination of letters and/or numbers written across the license tag shall be sufficiently large to be easily read but shall not be less than three (3) inches in height. No combination of letters or numbers which comprise words or expressions that are considered obscene, slandering, insulting or vulgar in ordinary usage shall be permitted, with the Commissioner of Revenue having the responsibility of making this determination. If, however, such license plate is issued in error or otherwise and is determined by the commissioner to be obscene, slanderous, insulting, vulgar or offensive, the commissioner shall notify the owner that the license plate must be surrendered and that another personalized license plate may be selected by him and issued at no cost. Should the vehicle or trailer owner not desire another personalized license plate, the fee for such plate shall be refunded. In the event the owner fails to surrender the license plate after receiving proper notification, the commissioner shall issue an order directing that the license plate be seized by agents of the Department of Revenue or any other duly authorized law enforcement personnel.

(2) For the purposes of this section the terms "motor vehicle" and "vehicle" include motorcycles.

(3) Application for the personalized license tags shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. The application form shall contain space for the applicant to make five (5) different choices for the combination of the letters and numbers in the order in which the combination is desired by the applicant. The application and the additional fee, less five percent (5%) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue within seven (7) days of the date the application is made. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(4) (a) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or after November 1, 1986, any person applying for a personalized license tag shall pay an additional fee which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the vehicle's or trailer's established license tag year. The additional fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) is due and payable at the time the original application is made for a personalized tag and thereafter annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner retains the personalized tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the personalized tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector. The additional fee due at the time of renewal registration shall be collected by the county tax collector and remitted to the Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the department.

(b) The Department of Revenue shall deposit all taxes and fees into the State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the Department of Revenue shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who shall distribute to the credit of the State General Fund Sixteen Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($16.25) of each additional fee and the remainder of each such additional fee shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as required by law until replaced by a personalized license tag; and the regular license tag must be surrendered to the tax collector upon issuance of the personalized license tag. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license decals for the personalized license tag, which will expire the same month and year as the original license tag.

(6) The applicant shall receive a refund of the fee paid for a personalized license tag if the personalized license tag is not issued to him because the combination of letters and numbers requested to be placed thereon is not available for any reason.

(7) In the case of loss or theft of a personalized license tag, the owner may make application and affidavit for a replacement license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement personalized license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag and the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular license tags.

(8) The owner of a personalized license tag may make application for a duplicate of such tag. The fee for such duplicate personalized license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving the application shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such duplicate personalized license tag and the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular license tags. A duplicate personalized license tag may not be fastened to the rear of a vehicle or trailer and may not be utilized as a replacement for any personalized license tag issued pursuant to this section. Month decals and year decals shall not be issued for duplicate personalized license tags and month decals and year decals shall not be attached to duplicate personalized license tags.

SECTION 28. Section 27-19-49, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-49. (1) Owners of motorcycles who are members of a Shrine motorcycle club, corps or unit of Mississippi may, in their discretion, purchase and use, in lieu of the motorcycle tag described in Section 27-19-35, an especially prepared tag of the same dimensions as the regular motorcycle tag. This distinctive tag shall be of a yellow background; the Shrine emblem in green coloring in the middle left of the tag; "Miss." (abbreviated) in red letters in the lower left of the tag; the year of issuance in abbreviated form (the last two numbers) in red letters in the lower right of the tag; and the designated number of the particular tag in red numbers in the middle right of the tag. These tags shall be numbered commencing with the numeral "1."

(2) These distinctive Shrine tags shall be ordered through the State Tax Commission by an official of each such Shrine club, corps or unit desiring same. Only one such distinctive tag shall be allowed to each individual member of any Shrine club, corps or unit and only for a heavy weight or heavy duty motorcycle.

(3) The individual Shrine members or Shrine club, corps or unit so ordering such tag or tags shall pay the regular motorcycle tag fees and taxes as designated by the tax collector's office of the county in which the motorcycle is registered and such Shrine members, clubs, corps or units shall pay any additional charge necessary for the purchase of such distinctive tag. Each such distinctive Shrine tag will be duly recorded and registered at the office of the sheriff of the county in which the individual Shrine member resides.

SECTION 29. Section 27-19-56, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-56. (1) Upon application by any legal resident of the State of Mississippi with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, or by the owner of a motor vehicle who has a child, parent or spouse with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk and the child, parent or spouse is living with the applicant, the State Tax Commission shall prepare and issue through the county tax collectors a special license plate bearing the International Symbol of Access adopted by Rehabilitation International in 1969 at its Eleventh World Congress on Rehabilitation of the Disabled for not more than two (2) vehicles that are registered in the applicant's name. The initial application shall be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that (a) the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk; and (b) that the physician has determined that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse will have the disability for at least five (5) years. The State Tax Commission shall prepare and issue to the tax collectors of the various counties, decals for placement on the special license plates. The decals shall bear thereon the month in which the license plate was issued and the year in which the special license plate will expire. The special license plate issued under this section is valid for the period of time that the license tag attached upon a motor vehicle is issued pursuant to Section 27-19-31(1). A person to whom the special license plate is issued may retain the special license plate and may renew it by submitting to the county tax collector, on or before its expiration, the certification of a licensed physician that the physician has determined (a) that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk; and (b) that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse will have the disability for at least five (5) years. If an applicant fails to renew the special license plate before its date of expiration, then he shall surrender the special license plate to the county tax collector and the tax collector shall issue to such person a regular license plate to replace the special license plate.

The terms "vehicle" and "motor vehicle," as used in this section, include motorcycles.

The term "persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk" when used in this section means those persons who, as determined by a licensed physician:

(a) Cannot walk two hundred (200) feet without stopping to rest; or

(b) Cannot walk without the use of, or assistance from, a brace, cane, crutch, another person, prosthetic device, wheelchair, or other assistive device; or

(c) Are restricted by lung disease to such an extent that the person's forced (respiratory) expiratory volume for one (1) second, when measured by spirometry, is less than one (1) liter, or the arterial oxygen tension is less than sixty (60) mm/hg on room air at rest; or

(d) Use portable oxygen; or

(e) Have a cardiac condition to the extent that the person's functional limitations are classified in severity as Class III or Class IV according to standards set by the American Heart Association; or

(f) Are severely limited in their ability to walk due to an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition.

An applicant for a special license plate bearing the International Symbol of Access shall not be required to pay any fee or charge for the issuance of such license plate separate from or in addition to the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees otherwise required by law to be paid for the issuance of a regular license plate for such vehicle.

(2) The State Tax Commission shall prepare removable windshield placards and such placards shall be issued and periodically renewed upon the applications of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk, or upon the applications of owners of motor vehicles who have a child, parent or spouse with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk and the child, parent or spouse is living with the owner of the motor vehicle. The placards shall be issued, free of charge, to applicants through the offices of the tax collectors of the counties. The initial application shall be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk. These placards shall be valid for the period of time that the license tag attached upon a motor vehicle is issued pursuant to Section 27-19-31(1) and may be renewed in the same manner as provided for the renewal of the special license plates under subsection (1) of this section. The removable windshield placard must be displayed on the left side of the vehicle dashboard or by hanging it on the rearview mirror of the vehicle. The State Tax Commission shall prescribe the placement for motorcycles.

(3) The State Tax Commission shall provide for the issuance of a temporary removable windshield placard, upon the application of a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, or upon the application of the owner of a motor vehicle who has a child, parent or spouse with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk and the child, parent or spouse is living with the owner of the motor vehicle. Temporary removable windshield placards authorized by this subsection shall be prepared by the State Tax Commission and shall be issued, free of charge, to applicants through the offices of the tax collectors of the counties. Application for a temporary removable windshield placard must be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse meets the definition of persons with disabilities which limit or impair the ability to walk. The certification shall also include the period of time that the physician determines the applicant or the applicant's child, parent or spouse will have the disability, not to exceed six (6) months. The temporary removable windshield placard must be displayed on the left side of the vehicle dashboard or by hanging it on the rearview mirror of the vehicle. The temporary removable windshield placard shall be valid for a period of time for which the physician has determined that the applicant will have the disability, not to exceed six (6) months from the date of issuance. The State Tax Commission shall prescribe the placement for motorcycles.

(4) The removable windshield placard and the temporary removable windshield placard shall be two-sided and shall include:

(a) The International Symbol of Access, which is at least three (3) inches in height, centered on the placard (the color of the removable windshield placard shall be white on a blue shield; and the temporary removable windshield placard shall be white on a red shield);

(b) An identification number and, on the reverse side, the name of the individual to whom the placard is issued;

(d) The seal of the State of Mississippi.

(5) (a) It shall be unlawful to park a motor vehicle in an area set aside for persons who are disabled if the motor vehicle does not (i) have displayed the removable windshield placard authorized in this section with the date of expiration visible, (ii) have the special license plate issued under this section properly displayed upon the motor vehicle, or (iii) have the disabled American veteran tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-53 properly displayed upon the motor vehicle. Any person who unlawfully parks a motor vehicle in such areas, or who blocks such spaces or access thereto, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each such violation. For the third and subsequent offenses under this section, the offender's driver's license shall be suspended for ninety (90) days by the Commissioner of Public Safety in accordance with Section 63-1-53 in addition to any fine imposed. The court shall not suspend or reduce any fine required to be imposed under this subsection.

(b) A person who is charged with a violation of this section by parking a motor vehicle in an area set aside for persons who are disabled and failing properly to display (i) a removable windshield placard on the dash of the vehicle or by hanging it on the rearview mirror of the vehicle, (ii) a special license plate issued under this section upon the vehicle or (iii) a disabled American veteran tag or plate issued under Section 27-19-53 upon the vehicle shall not be convicted and shall have the charge dismissed upon presentation to the court of proof by means of sworn oral testimony or sworn affidavit that at the time of the charged violation he or a passenger in the vehicle possessed a valid removable windshield placard issued under this section.

(6) Any person who, for the purpose of obtaining a special license plate or windshield placard under this section, files with the county tax collector a physician's certification, knowing the certification to be false or to have been fraudulently obtained, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00).

(7) All law enforcement officers are authorized to enforce this section on public and private property. Provision of spaces restricted to handicapped parking and proper marking of such spaces shall be considered as intent and permission to enforce such designated parking on private property. Any owner of private property may tow away a vehicle that is parked on the owner's private property in violation of the disabled parking restrictions set forth in this section at the vehicle owner's expense. In addition, the vehicle owner may be subject to any fines or other penalties provided in this section. Only areas marked in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines or equivalent standards shall be enforced. Spaces shall bear the International Symbol of Access.

(8) Motor vehicles displaying a special license plate, license plate decal, placard or parking certificate or permit bearing the International Symbol of Access issued to a person with a disability by any other state or district subject to the laws of the United States shall be allowed the special parking privileges under this section provided the license plate, decal, placard, permit or certificate bears the International Symbol of Access and is displayed in a prominent place on the vehicle.

(9) Parking in any area set aside for persons who are disabled is limited to vehicles which, immediately before or after the utilization of such an area, are used to transport a person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk. The identification required to park in such an area, except as provided in subsection (8) of this section, is as follows:

(a) For a vehicle used to transport a person with a permanent disability, that person's permanent windshield placard must be displayed or the vehicle must have a special license tag issued under this section or Section 27-19-53 properly displayed.

(b) For a vehicle being used by a person who has a temporary disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk, or which is being used to transport such a person, a temporary windshield placard must be displayed.

Any person who parks in an area set aside for persons who are disabled in violation of this subsection shall be punished as provided for in subsection (5) of this section.

(10) Upon application by a nursing home, retirement home or other institution that transports disabled persons, the State Tax Commission may issue the special license plate authorized pursuant to this section for not more than one (1) vehicle that is registered in the applicant's name that is used to transport disabled residents of the institution. Such institution shall comply with all other laws regarding the registration of such vehicle.

SECTION 30. Section 27-19-56.5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-56.5. (1) In recognition of the patriotic service rendered by Mississippians who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor and by Mississippians who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal, any such person is privileged to obtain two (2) distinctive motor vehicle license plates or tags identifying him as a Pearl Harbor survivor or not more than two (2) distinctive motor vehicle license plates or tags and one (1) distinctive motorcycle license plate or tag identifying him as a Purple Heart Medal recipient. The distinctive plates or tags shall be of a color and design designated by the Department of Revenue.

(2) The distinctive license plates shall be prepared by the Department of Revenue and shall be issued through the tax collectors of the counties in the same manner as are other motor vehicle license plates or tags. A tag fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00), in addition to all other taxes and fees, shall be collected by the tax collector for the Pearl Harbor distinctive tag. The first distinctive tag issued to Purple Heart Medal recipients under the provisions of this section shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes, privilege taxes and all other taxes and fees. There shall be no exemption from ad valorem taxes, privilege taxes or other taxes and fees for the issuance of an additional distinctive tag to Purple Heart Medal recipients. However, the surviving spouse of a deceased person who was issued a Purple Heart Medal distinctive license plate or tag under this section shall be entitled to apply for or retain one (1) such license tag and may continue annually to renew registration for such distinctive license plate or tag for as long as the spouse remains unmarried. At the time of application or renewal registration, a surviving spouse who desires to retain such distinctive plate or tag shall file with the county tax collector a sworn statement that the spouse is unmarried, and any such vehicle when so registered shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes, privilege taxes and all other taxes and fees. The tax collector shall monthly forward the additional fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) charged for issuance of a Pearl Harbor distinctive tag to the Department of Revenue which shall deposit such fee to the credit of the State General Fund. An applicant for a distinctive tag under this section shall present to the issuing official either (a) written proof that the applicant is an honorably discharged former member of one (1) of the Armed Forces of the United States and, while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, was present during the attack on the island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, between the hours of 7:55 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., Hawaii time, or (b) written proof that the applicant is a Purple Heart Medal recipient. The distinctive license plates or tags so issued shall be used only upon a personally or jointly owned private passenger vehicle (to include station wagons, recreational motor vehicles and pickup trucks) or motorcycle registered in the name, or jointly in the name, of the person making application therefor, and when issued to such person shall be used upon the vehicle for which issued in lieu of the standard license plate or license tag normally issued for such vehicle.

(3) The distinctive license plates shall not be transferable between motor vehicle owners; and in the event the owner of a vehicle bearing a distinctive plate shall sell, trade, exchange or otherwise dispose of the vehicle, such plate shall be retained by such owner and returned to the tax collector.

(4) A vehicle that displays a distinctive license plate issued under this section may park free of charge in any state parking space or state parking facility when the person to whom the license plate was issued is operating or occupying the vehicle.

(5) Any person evading or violating any of the provisions of this section, or attempting to secure benefits under this section to which he is not entitled, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than six (6) months, or both.

SECTION 31. Section 27-19-56.9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-56.9. Upon application by any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who is deaf, the State Tax Commission shall prepare and issue through the county tax collectors a special license plate for not more than one (1) vehicle that is registered in the applicant's name. The initial application shall be accompanied by the certification of a licensed physician that the applicant meets the definition of deaf persons set forth in this section. An applicant for a special license plate shall not be required to pay any fee or charge for the issuance of such license plate separate from or in addition to the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees otherwise required by law to be paid for the issuance of a regular license plate for such vehicle. The design of the special license plate shall be executed in a manner which will alert others that the vehicle is registered in the name of a person who is deaf.

For the purpose of this section, the term "vehicle" includes motorcycles, and the term "deaf" means any person whose hearing is totally impaired or whose hearing is so seriously impaired as to prohibit the person from understanding oral communication when spoken to in a normal conversational tone.

SECTION 32. Section 27-19-56.125, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-19-56.125. In recognition of the patriotic service rendered by Mississippians who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces, beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 1, 2011, any such person is privileged to obtain distinctive motorcycle license plates or tags for each motorcycle registered in his name identifying his status as a veteran. The Department of Revenue, with concurrence by the State Veterans Affairs Board, shall develop decals to be affixed to the license tag indicating branch and period of military service. The distinctive plates or tags shall be of a color and design designated by the Department of Revenue with concurrence by the State Veterans Affairs Board.

The distinctive license plates shall be prepared by the Department of Revenue and shall be issued through the tax collectors of the counties in the same manner as are other motor vehicle license plates or tags. An additional annual tag fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) shall be collected by the tax collector for such license plates or tags and shall be remitted to the Department of Revenue on a monthly basis as prescribed by the department. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the original application is made for a distinctive tag under this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license tag. The Department of Revenue shall deposit such fee to the credit of a fund to be administered by the board overseeing the veterans nursing homes in this state for the benefit of indigent veterans who are residents of such nursing homes.

An applicant for the distinctive plates shall present to the issuing official written evidence of the veteran's service. The evidence shall include a copy of the applicant's DD-214 form, a Report of Separation from Military Service, a military discharge document, a written certification of military service from the State Veterans Affairs Board or a valid military identification card; however, a distinctive license plate or tag shall not be issued under this section to any person who was dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces. The distinctive license plates or tags so issued shall be used only upon a personally or jointly owned private motorcycle registered in the name, or jointly in the name, of the person making the application, and when issued to the person shall be used upon the motorcycle for which issued in lieu of the standard license plate or license tag normally issued for the motorcycle.

The distinctive license plates shall not be transferable between motorcycle owners; and in the event the owner of a motorcycle bearing a distinctive plate shall sell, trade, exchange or otherwise dispose of the motorcycle, the plate shall be retained by the owner and returned to the tax collector.

SECTION 33. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.

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Bill Text: MS HB24 | 2014 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Bill 24 (Prior Session Legislation)

House Bill 24

(As Passed the House)

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