MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Rayborn, Jackson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-33-77 AND 27-33-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE REIMBURSEMENT PAID BY THE STATE TO COUNTIES BECAUSE OF HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION TAX LOSSES; TO INCREASE THE CAP ON SUCH REIMBURSEMENTS TO TAXING UNITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-33-77, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-33-77. Beginning with the 1998 supplemental roll, and for each succeeding year's roll thereafter, the amount of tax loss to be reimbursed because of exemptions provided for in this article shall be Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) each for county taxes exempted and school taxes exempted for a total of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per applicant qualifying for homestead exemption under this article.

The reimbursement received by the county shall be distributed by the county treasurer to the general fund. Such reimbursement may be pledged as security for any loan received by the county for the purpose of capital improvements as authorized under Section 57-1-303, or for the purpose of loans as authorized under Section 17-24-7, or for the purpose of water systems improvements as authorized under Section 41-3-16.

Provided further, that tax losses sustained by municipalities because of exemptions granted to homeowners described in subsection (2) of Section 27-33-67 shall be reimbursed up to the amount of the actual exemption allowed, not to exceed Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per qualified applicant.

SECTION 2. Section 27-33-79, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-33-79. Notwithstanding the limitation imposed on reimbursement of tax losses in Section 27-33-77, no taxing unit shall be reimbursed more than one hundred twenty percent (120%) or less than the amount of the reimbursement made to the same taxing unit, for the next preceding year, unless such reimbursement is reduced as a result of a reduction in approved homestead applicants * * *.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.