MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Scott (17th)

AN ACT TO PROVIDE A CHECKOFF ON THE STATE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX FORM TO ALLOW TAXPAYERS TO VOLUNTARILY CONTRIBUTE A PORTION OF THEIR TAX REFUND INTO THE MISSISSIPPI BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FUND; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FUND; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. (1) Each resident individual taxpayer who files a Mississippi income tax return and who will receive a tax refund from the State Tax Commission may designate that a contribution be made to the "Mississippi Breast Cancer Research Fund" established in Section 2 of House Bill No. , 1998 Regular Session, by marking the appropriate box printed on the return pursuant to this subsection. In the case of a joint return, each spouse may designate that a portion of the refund shall be paid to such fund.

The State Tax Commission shall print on the Mississippi income tax form for residents a space for designating the contribution in substantially the following form:

"MISSISSIPPI BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FUND

I wish to contribute ( )$1 ( )$5 ( )$10 ( ) other $____ of my TAX REFUND TO THE MISSISSIPPI BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FUND."

(2) The State Tax Commission shall explain in the instructions accompanying the individual income tax form the purposes for which the contributions authorized herein shall be used.

(3) This section shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1999.

(4) The Chairman of the State Tax Commission shall determine annually the total amount designated by individuals to be paid to the fund, along with all interest earned thereon, and shall report such amount to the State Treasurer who shall pay such amount into the "Mississippi Breast Cancer Research Fund" established in Section 2 of House Bill No. , 1998 Regular Session.

SECTION 2. (1) There is established in the State Treasury a fund known as the "Mississippi Breast Cancer Research Fund" (hereinafter referred to as "fund"). The fund shall consist of monies obtained from contributions made pursuant to Section 1 of House Bill No. , 1998 Regular Session. Monies in the fund, shall be appropriated by the Legislature, to the University of Mississippi Medical Center to be expended for the purpose of conducting breast cancer research. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

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