MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Flaggs

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS ISSUED TO RECIPIENTS OF THE PURPLE HEART MEDAL SHALL BE EXEMPT FROM THE ADDITIONAL $15.00 TAG FEE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-19-56.5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.5. 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 one (1) distinctive motor vehicle license plate or tag identifying him as a Pearl Harbor survivor or a Purple Heart Medal recipient. The distinctive plates or tags shall be of a color and design designated by the Tax Commission.

The distinctive license plates shall be prepared by the Tax Commission 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 tag fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) shall be collected by the tax collector for the Pearl Harbor distinctive tag. Distinctive tags issued to Purple Heart Medal recipients shall be exempt from the additional tag fee. The tax collector shall forward the additional fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) charged for issuance of a Pearl Harbor distinctive tag to the Tax Commission which shall deposit such fee to the credit of the State General Fund. An applicant for such distinctive plates shall present to the issuing official either (a) written proof that the applicant is an honorably discharged former member of one 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) 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.

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.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.