MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Furniss, Walls, Carlton

Senate Bill 2253

(As Passed the Senate)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE RESIDENT INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXPAYERS TO DESIGNATE ANY PORTION OF THEIR TAX REFUND FOR DEPOSIT IN THE MISSISSIPPI FIRE FIGHTERS MEMORIAL BURN CENTER FUND, THE MISSISSIPPI SIERRA CLUB FUND OR THE MISSISSIPPI RIGHT TO LIFE FUND; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI SIERRA CLUB FUND AND THE MISSISSIPPI RIGHT TO LIFE FUND; TO PROVIDE HOW MONIES IN SUCH FUNDS MAY BE EXPENDED; 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 Fire Fighters Memorial Burn Center Fund created in Section 7-9-70, Mississippi Code of 1972, 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 face of the Mississippi income tax form for residents a space for designating the contribution in substantially the following form:

"MISSISSIPPI FIRE FIGHTERS MEMORIAL BURN CENTER FUND.

I wish to contribute ()$1 ()$5 ()$10 ()Other $____ of my

TAX REFUND TO THE MISSISSIPPI FIRE FIGHTERS MEMORIAL BURN CENTER 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 Fire Fighters Memorial Burn Center Fund.

SECTION 2. (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 Sierra Club Fund" established in Section 3 of this act, 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 in an appropriate location on the Mississippi income tax form for residents a space for designating the contribution in substantially the following form:

"MISSISSIPPI SIERRA CLUB FUND.

I wish to contribute ()$1 ()$5 ()$10 ()Other $____ of my

TAX REFUND TO THE MISSISSIPPI SIERRA CLUB 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 Sierra Club Fund" established in Section 3 of this act.

SECTION 3. There is established in the State Treasury a fund known as the "Mississippi Sierra Club Fund" (hereinafter referred to as "fund"). The fund shall consist of monies obtained from contributions made pursuant to Section 2 of this act. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, monies in the fund may be expended by the Mississippi Chapter of the Sierra Club. 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 4. (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 Right to Life Fund" established in Section 5 of this act, 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 in an appropriate location on the Mississippi income tax form for residents a space for designating the contribution in substantially the following form:

"MISSISSIPPI RIGHT TO LIFE FUND.

I wish to contribute ()$1 ()$5 ()$10 ()Other $____ of my

TAX REFUND TO THE MISSISSIPPI RIGHT TO LIFE 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 Right to Life Fund" established in Section 5 of this act.

SECTION 5. There is established in the State Treasury a fund known as the "Mississippi Right to Life Fund" (hereinafter referred to as "fund"). The fund shall consist of monies obtained from contributions made pursuant to Section 4 of this act. Upon appropriation by the Legislature, monies in the fund may be expended by the Right to Life of Jackson. 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 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1998.