MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Mettetal

Senate Bill 2329

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 25-13-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE SERVICE CREDIT RECEIVED BY MEMBERS OF THE HIGHWAY SAFETY PATROL RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES BY REMOVING THE REQUIREMENT THAT SUCH SERVICE BE DURING TIME OF MILITARY CONFLICT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

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

SECTION 1. Section 25-13-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-13-17. All persons who are covered under the terms of this chapter on the date on which this retirement system is established and who become members of the retirement system shall cease to be members under the provisions of Sections 25-11-101 through 25-11-139 upon the effective date of this chapter, and shall become members of this retirement system with full credit for all prior service with the Highway Safety Patrol.

In computing the period of service of a member of the Highway Safety Patrol, anything in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, any member who served in the Armed Forces of the United States * * * or who served in maritime service during periods of hostility in World War II, shall be entitled to credit for the entire time he served in the Armed Forces of the United States, but not to exceed four (4) years unless he furnishes positive proof that he was retained in the armed forces or in maritime service by causes beyond his control and without opportunity of discharge.

The credit granted in this section shall apply to all persons who have retired from the highway patrol and who qualify for credit as outlined above, whether they retired before or after March 25, 1974; but this provision shall not operate to require any back payments of retirement.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.