MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1998 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Woodfield, Dearing

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 TRAUMA CARE FUND; TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI TRAUMA CARE 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 Trauma Care Fund" established in Section 2 of Senate 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 TRAUMA CARE FUND

I wish to contribute ( )$1 ( )$5 ( )$10 ( ) other $____ of my TAX REFUND TO THE MISSISSIPPI TRAUMA CARE 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 Trauma Care Fund" established in Section 2 of Senate Bill No. ____, 1998 Regular Session.

SECTION 2. (1) There is established in the State Treasury a fund known as the "Mississippi Trauma Care Fund" (hereinafter referred to as "fund"). The fund shall consist of monies obtained from contributions made pursuant to Section 1 of Senate Bill No. ____, 1998 Regular Session. Monies in the fund, shall be appropriated by the Legislature, for the purpose of funding trauma care in this state. 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.