MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Robinson (84th) (By Request)

House Bill 1411

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL FOR ANY VEHICLE THAT DISPLAYS AN ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE LICENSE PLATE TO BE OPERATED ON THE ROADS, STREETS OR HIGHWAYS IN THIS STATE ON ANY DAY OF THE WEEK EXCEPT SUNDAY; TO MAKE CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS RELATING TO PARTICIPATION OF SUCH VEHICLES IN PARADES, CELEBRATIONS OR AUTO SHOWINGS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-19-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-47. (1) Any citizen of the State of Mississippi who owns a registered antique automobile 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 automobile plate to be displayed on such antique automobile.

Upon receipt of an application for a special antique automobile 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 automobile plate on a permanent basis, and it shall bear no date, but shall bear the inscription "Antique Car--Mississippi" and shall be valid without renewal as long as the automobile is in existence. This special plate shall be issued for the applicant's use only for such automobile and in the event of a transfer of title, the owner shall surrender the special plate to the tax collector.

Such special antique automobile 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 automobiles. 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 within seven (7) days of the date the application for the special license tag is made. 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, motor vehicles manufactured more than twenty-five (25) years ago shall hereafter be classified as antique automobiles and shall be exempt from all ad valorem taxes levied by both state, municipal, county and other taxing districts.

(4) It shall be unlawful for any vehicle that displays an antique automobile license plate to be operated on the public roads, streets or highways in this state on any day of the week except Sunday unless such vehicle, at the time of its operation, is participating in a bona fide parade, celebration or auto showing.

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