MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Williams, Simpson

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI SPECIAL FUEL TAX LAW TO COMBINE UNDER ONE ARTICLE THE TAXATION OF FUELS FORMERLY KNOWN AS "OTHER MOTOR FUEL" AND "OTHER OILS"; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI SPECIAL FUEL TAX LAW BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL FUEL PERMITS TO DISTRIBUTORS OF SPECIAL FUEL; TO PROVIDE THAT ALL BONDS AND PERMITS ISSUED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE OTHER MOTOR FUEL TAX LAW AND THE OIL TAX LAW IN EFFECT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT AND ALL REFERENCES IN SUCH BONDS AND PERMITS TO OIL AND OTHER MOTOR FUEL SHALL MEAN SPECIAL FUEL; TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXCISE TAX ON SPECIAL FUEL; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF DISTRIBUTORS IN REGARD TO THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN CREDIT AND EXEMPTIONS REGARDING THE SPECIAL FUEL TAX; TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF DYED DIESEL FUEL AND KEROSENE; TO GIVE THE STATE TAX COMMISSION CERTAIN POWERS WITH REGARD TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THIS ACT; TO LEVY A TAX ON UNDYED DIESEL FUEL ON WHICH THE OTHER MOTOR FUEL TAX HAS NOT BEEN PAID THAT IS HELD IN STORAGE AT A BULK PLANT OR RETAIL LOCATION ON JULY 1, 1999; TO AMEND SECTION 27-5-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPORTIONMENT OF TAXES ON SPECIAL FUELS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-55-12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THE MANNER IN WHICH CERTAIN PERSONS OBTAIN THE EXEMPTION FROM EXCISE TAXES ON GASOLINE, SPECIAL FUEL AND COMPRESSED GAS; TO AMEND SECTIONS 7-7-2, 27-55-19, 27-61-3, 27-61-5, 27-61-11, 27-61-12, 49-17-403, 49-17-407, 65-1-8 AND 65-39-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 27-55-301 THROUGH 27-55-361, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE TAXATION OF OTHER MOTOR FUELS; TO REPEAL SECTION 27-55-401, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH APPLIES CERTAIN TAX INCREASES TO FUELS HELD IN STORAGE; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 27-57-301 THROUGH 27-57-371, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE TAXATION OF OTHER OILS; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 27-57-361 AND 27-57-363, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES PERSONS TRANSPORTING CERTAIN AMOUNTS OF OIL TO STOP AT CERTAIN INSPECTION STATIONS AND WHICH GIVE THE STATE TAX COMMISSION CERTAIN POWERS REGARDING THE REGULATION OF OIL IN CASE OF WAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) This act may be cited as the "Mississippi Special Fuel Tax Law."

(2) The State Tax Commission is hereby vested with the sole power and authority, and is charged with the duty of administering and enforcing the terms and provisions of this act.

SECTION 2. It is declared to be the purpose and intention of the Legislature to impose an excise tax, to provide highways, streets and roads, on all persons engaged in business as distributors of special fuel in this state, computed at the rates stated in this article, subject to the exemptions and refunds herein enumerated; to inquire into all violations; and to impose and inflict the penalties herein provided; and especially are the chancery courts of this state authorized and empowered to require any and all persons to disclose and discover full information with reference to their dealing in and handling of special fuel as herein provided. Any and all persons making the disclosures and discoveries prayed for by any bill filed in the chancery courts of the State of Mississippi shall be, and are, hereby given full and complete immunity from all fines and jail sentences imposed by this article.

SECTION 3. The following words, terms and phrases as used in this act shall have the following meanings unless the context requires otherwise:

(a) "Special fuel" means kerosene, diesel fuel, fuel oils, and any petroleum fuel or any other product other than gasoline or compressed gas which is usable as fuel in an internal combustion engine, and any combustible liquid other than gasoline or compressed gas used or capable of being used as a fuel in aircraft.

(b) "Bunker oil" means a residual product obtained in the refining of crude petroleum intended for use for the generation of heat in a firebox or furnace when its flash point, as determined by use of the Pensky-Martens tester, shall not be less than one hundred fifty (150) degrees Fahrenheit and when its viscosity at one hundred (100) degrees Fahrenheit shall not be less than one hundred fifty (150) seconds when determined by use of the Saybolt Universal Tubes.

(c) "Person" means any individual, firm, copartnership, joint venture, association, corporation, estate, trust, or any group or combination acting as a unit, and the plural as well as the singular number unless the intention to give a more limited meaning is disclosed by the context.

(d) "Distributor of special fuel" means (i) any person importing special fuel into this state; (ii) any person who shall receive, purchase, acquire, use, store or sell any special fuel in this state on which the excise tax hereinafter imposed by this article has not been paid; (iii) any person exporting special fuel; and (iv) any person engaged in the distribution of special fuel by tank car or tank truck or both; provided, that no person may qualify as a distributor of special fuel for the sole purpose of using special fuel, as defined in this article, as a fuel to propel a vehicle or vehicles owned or operated by him on the highways of this state. The term "distributor of special fuel" shall also include all persons meeting the definition of "refiners," "processors," "terminal operator," "blenders" and any person licensed to sell motor fuel in another state or jurisdiction who is authorized by that state or jurisdiction to collect the special fuel excise tax imposed by this article.

(e) "Bonded distributor of special fuel" means any person holding a valid distributor of special fuel permit issued by the State Tax Commission.

(f) "Refiner" or "processor" means every person who shall receive, produce, manufacture, refine, distill, blend or compound special fuel in this state, when such person shall engage in any business incident to or necessary for refining or processing petroleum products in this state; provided further, that such refiner or processor must have at least two (2) ten-thousand-gallon or larger tanks for product storage, and the blending or mixing process produces a finished product that has entirely different physical and chemical properties from the original products.

(g) "For nonhighway purposes" means special fuel which is not used for operating motor vehicles or motor-propelled machines of any description along the public roads, streets, alleys or highways of this state as defined in this article.

(h) "Highway" means every way or place of whatever nature, including public roads, toll roads, streets and alleys of this state generally open to the use of the public or to be opened or reopened to the use of the public for the purpose of vehicular travel, and notwithstanding that the same may be temporarily closed for the purpose of construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repair. Provided, that the confines of a highway shall include the entire width and length of the right-of-way.

(i) "Commission" means the State Tax Commission of the State of Mississippi, acting either directly or through its duly authorized officers, agents or employees.

(j) "Terminal" means a tank farm within the State of Mississippi with storage capacity for the receipt of a full barge delivery or common carrier pipeline delivery of taxable petroleum products when such products are to be distributed within the state.

(k) "Marine dealer" means any person selling special fuel from marine or dockside storage facilities when such special fuel is for use in boats, vessels, barges or ships.

(l) "United States Government" shall include all purchasing officers of the Armed Forces of the United States and the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the State of Mississippi or any other state appointed pursuant to Section 708, Title 32, United States Code, when purchasing special fuel with federal funds for the account of and use by a component of the Armed Forces as herein defined.

(m) "Armed Forces" means all components of the Armed Forces of the United States including the Army National Guard, the Army National Guard of the United States, the Air National Guard and the Air National Guard of the United States, as those terms are defined in Section 101, Title 10, United States Code, and any other reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States enumerated in Section 261, Title 10, United States Code.

(n) "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle designed, constructed for or used on the highways of this state which is self-propelled, except a farm tractor, using the highways solely in hauling or transporting farm products of the soil from the farm to a gin or market when the title to such products is still in the producer, or a farm tractor used in transporting fertilizer or food to a farm when the title to such products is still in the user.

(o) "Consumer" means, in addition to its ordinary meaning, a person who purchases undyed diesel fuel to be used for nonhighway purposes and who does not resell such undyed diesel fuel.

(p) "Retail dealer" means any person who operates a retail station.

(q) "Dyed diesel fuel" means diesel fuel that is dyed in accordance with United States Environmental Protection Agency or Internal Revenue Service requirements.

(r) "Dyed kerosene" means kerosene that is dyed in accordance with United States Environmental Protection Agency or Internal Revenue Service requirements.

(s) "Undyed diesel fuel" means diesel fuel that does not meet the dyeing requirements prescribed by United States Environmental Protection Agency or Internal Revenue Service Regulations.

(t) "Fuel oil" means a general classification for one of the petroleum fractions produced in conventional distillation operations. For the purposes of this article, "Fuel oil" is No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 fuel oils and No. 1, No. 2 and No. 4 diesel fuels.

(u) "Blender" means any person who blends or compounds any product to produce special fuel.

(v) "Terminal operator" means any person who owns, operates or otherwise controls a terminal.

SECTION 4. Before any person shall engage in business as a distributor of special fuel in this state, he shall first make application to the commission, upon forms prescribed by the commission, for a permit to engage in said business.

If the application is approved by the commission, the applicant shall enter into a good and sufficient surety bond, written by a company qualified to write such bonds in this state. The bond shall be made payable to the State of Mississippi in a sum not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) nor more than Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), the amount to be determined by the commission; or, in lieu thereof, the applicant may deposit with the commission a cash bond in the amount so determined. A personal bond in the amount so determined shall also be acceptable in lieu of a surety bond if the same is adequately secured by the pledge or assignment of a pledgeable or assignable bond, or bonds, of the State of Mississippi or the United States Government. Such bond or bonds shall be in an amount not to exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), and not to exceed the special fuel taxes estimated to become due by the distributor of special fuel for any ninety-day period. The bond required by this section shall be increased within the limits hereinabove set forth from time to time if deemed insufficient by the commission, giving to the distributor of special fuel fifteen (15) days' notice, in writing, to increase such bond, such notice to state the amount of increase demanded.

The condition of such bond shall be that the distributor of special fuel shall fully comply with all laws pertaining to distributors of special fuel and pertaining to the transportation of special fuel as regulated by this act, and that he shall pay the special fuel taxes, and the penalties provided.

SECTION 5. Any person engaging in business as a distributor of special fuel in this state without having the permit required by Section 4 of this act, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for six (6) months, or both.

SECTION 6. If the commission approves the application and bond, it shall issue a permit authorizing such applicant to engage in business as a bonded distributor of special fuel, and the permit shall not be assignable or otherwise transferable. Permits may be revoked for any single business location or all such locations by the commission at any time upon ten (10) days' written notice, if the distributor shall fail to pay the special fuel taxes and penalties due within the time provided by law, or shall fail in any way to comply with all of the provisions of this act, but the cancellation shall not relieve such distributor of special fuel or his sureties from liability on his distributor of special fuel bond. No permit shall be issued to any applicant who is in arrears or default to this state, or any subdivision thereof, for any taxes.

All bonds issued under the provisions of the other motor fuel tax law and the oil tax law in effect prior to the effective date of this act shall remain in full force and effect and all references in such bonds to oil and/or other motor fuel shall mean special fuel.

All permits issued under the provisions of the other motor fuel tax law and the oil tax law in effect prior to the effective date of this act shall remain in full force and effect and all references on said permits to oil and/or other motor fuel shall mean special fuel.

SECTION 7. (1) The commission may adopt rules and regulations to provide for the issuance of permits to persons performing contracts for construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repairs, where such contracts are entered into with the State of Mississippi, any political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, any department, agency or institution of the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof, allowing or requiring such persons to purchase special fuel for use in performing such contracts without the payment to the distributor of the tax levied in this act, and to provide that such persons report and pay such tax directly to the commission in instances where the commission determines that such payment will facilitate and expedite the collection of the tax which may be due on special fuel used by the permittee.

(2) The distributor of special fuel is relieved of collecting and remitting the taxes levied in this act, when furnished with a copy of a permit issued pursuant to this section and the person holding the permit shall become liable for such taxes instead of the distributor. The full enforcement provisions of this act shall apply in the collection of the tax from the permittee.

(3) The commission may require the permittee to execute and file with the commission a good and valid bond written by a surety company authorized to do business in this state. The bond shall be conditioned that all taxes which may accrue to the State of Mississippi under the provisions of this article will be paid when due. Provided, further, the commission may accept a bond filed under the provisions of Section 27-65-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, when such bond is conditioned upon the payment of the taxes imposed by this act.

SECTION 8. Before any person shall purchase and store diesel fuel or kerosene in marine storage, dockside storage or in barges for sale or delivery to boats, such person shall make application to the commission for a marine diesel fuel or kerosene permit. If the commission approves the application, it shall issue a permit authorizing the applicant to engage in business as a marine diesel fuel or kerosene dealer, and said permit shall not be assignable or otherwise transferable.

SECTION 9. The commission may adopt rules and regulations allowing retail dealers to sell dyed diesel fuel. Such retail dealers shall comply with all rules and regulations pertaining to retail dealers selling dyed diesel fuel. The commission may require such retailers to execute and file with the commission a good and valid bond, written by a surety company authorized to do business in the state, conditioned that all taxes which may accrue to the State of Mississippi under the provisions of this act will be paid when due.

SECTION 10. (1) Any person engaged in business as a distributor of special fuel or who acts as a distributor of special fuel, as defined in Section 3 of this act, shall pay for the privilege of engaging in such business or acting as such distributor an excise tax on all special fuel stored, used, sold, distributed, manufactured, refined, distilled, blended or compounded in this state or received in this state for sale, storage, distribution or for any purpose, adjusted to sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit.

The excise tax shall become due and payable when:

(a) Special fuel is withdrawn from storage at a refinery, marine or pipeline terminal, except when withdrawal is by barge or pipeline.

(b) Special fuel imported by a common carrier is unloaded by that carrier unless the special fuel is unloaded directly into the storage tanks of a refinery, marine or pipeline terminal.

(c) Special fuel imported by any person other than a common carrier enters the State of Mississippi unless the special fuel is unloaded directly into the storage tanks of a refinery, marine or pipeline terminal.

(d) Special fuel is blended in this state unless such blending occurs in a refinery, marine or pipeline terminal.

(e) Special fuel is acquired tax free.

(2) The special fuel excise tax shall be as follows:

(a) Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon on undyed diesel fuel until the date specified in Section 69-39-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Fourteen and Three-fourths Cents (14.75¢) per gallon thereafter;

(b) Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon on all special fuel except undyed diesel fuel and special fuel used as fuels in aircraft; and

(c) Five and One-fourth Cents (5.25¢) per gallon on special fuel used as fuel in aircraft.

SECTION 11. (1) An excise tax at the rate of Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon until the date specified in Section 69-39-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Fourteen and Three-fourths Cents (14.75¢) per gallon thereafter is levied on any person engaged in business as a distributor of special fuel or who acts as such who sells:

(a) Special fuel for use in performing contracts for construction, reconstruction, maintenance or repairs, where such contracts are entered into with the State of Mississippi, any political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, or any department, agency, institution of the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof.

(b) Dyed diesel fuel or kerosene to a state or local governmental entity for use on the highways in a motor vehicle.

(c) Special fuel for use on the highway.

(2) An excise tax at the rate of Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon until the date specified in Section 69-39-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Fourteen and Three-fourths Cents (14.75¢) per gallon thereafter is levied on any person who:

(a) Uses dyed diesel fuel or kerosene in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state in violation of Section 20 of this act.

(b) Purchases or acquires undyed diesel fuel or kerosene for nonhighway use and subsequently uses such diesel fuel or kerosene in a motor vehicle on the highways of this state.

(c) Purchases or acquires special fuel for use in performing contracts as specified in this section.

SECTION 12. For the purpose of determining the amount of his liability for the tax imposed by this act, each bonded distributor of special fuel shall, not later than the twentieth day of the month next following the month in which this act becomes effective, and not later than the twentieth day of each month thereafter, file with the commission a monthly report which shall include a statement of the number of gallons of special fuel received and sold by such distributor of special fuel within this state during the preceding calendar month, and such other information as may be reasonably necessary for the proper administration of this act.

At the time of filing each monthly report with the commission, a distributor may take a credit for the number of gallons of special fuel that he purchased during the preceding calendar month from a distributor who pays the excise tax imposed by this act on such special fuel.

At the time of filing each monthly report with the commission, each distributor of special fuel shall pay to the commission the full amount of the special fuel tax due from such distributor for the preceding calendar month.

Reports and payments sent to the commission by mail must be postmarked by the due date in order to be considered timely filed, except when the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, in which case such reports and payments must be postmarked by the first working day following the due date in order to be considered timely filed.

The monthly report of the distributor of special fuel shall be prepared and filed with the commission on forms prescribed by the commission, or the distributor of special fuel may, with the approval of the commission, furnish the required information on machine-prepared schedules. Such monthly reports or schedules shall be signed by the distributor or his duly authorized agent and shall contain a declaration that the statements contained in such report are true and correct and are made under the penalty of perjury.

When special fuel, which would otherwise be taxable under the provisions of this act, is imported, sold, delivered, or exported, under conditions which will exclude such special fuel from the tax levied under this act by reasons of one or more of the exemptions provided in this act, deduction for such exempt special fuel may be taken without prior approval of the commission on the monthly report of the bonded distributor of special fuel importing, selling, delivering, or exporting such special fuel. However, the commission may require proof to be furnished of such deduction for exempt special fuel.

When the Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon tax has accrued or has been paid on special fuel that is taxed at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon, a deduction of Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon may be made.

SECTION 13. Every person, other than a bonded distributor of special fuel, who shall purchase, or otherwise acquire special fuel within this state on which the tax has not been paid or covered by a bond of a distributor of special fuel, or otherwise exempt, shall be subject with respect to such special fuel, to all the provisions that apply to a bonded distributor of special fuel and shall be further subject to the additional penalties hereinafter provided.

SECTION 14. (1) There shall not be included in the measure of the tax levied in this act any special fuel:

(a) Sold or delivered by a bonded distributor of special fuel to a second bonded distributor of special fuel within this state, but nothing in this exclusion shall exempt the second bonded distributor of special fuel from paying the tax unless the second bonded distributor of special fuel sells or delivers said special fuel to a third bonded distributor of special fuel, in which event the third bonded distributor of special fuel shall be liable for the tax.

(b) Sold to the United States Government for use of the Armed Forces only, and delivered in quantities of not less than four thousand (4,000) gallons.

(c) Delivered to a bonded warehouse for storage within this state for the United States Department of Interior.

(d) Exported to a destination beyond the borders of this state by a bonded distributor of special fuel when the tax on such special fuel has been paid or on which the tax liability imposed by this act has accrued against such bonded distributor.

(e) Imported by, or sold to, any refiner or processor in this state for the purpose of being refined or further processed.

(f) Sold or delivered to any person within this state to be used as a herbicide or as a solvent for insecticides, wood preservatives, and like products, or when so used in a commercial process that they become a component part of any manufactured product or where used as a processing agent in the treatment of raw material in manufacturing any product.

(g) Sold or delivered to be used for test purposes at any regularly established testing laboratory in this state.

(h) Sold to be consumed as fuel by any boat, vessel, ship, towboat or dredgeboat, or sold to the holder of a Marine Dealers Permit for resale or distribution as fuel for a boat, vessel, ship, towboat or dredgeboat.

(i) Sold as bunker oil or sold to be used for the generation of heat in a firebox or furnace.

(j) Sold or delivered to be used for the purpose of generating electricity.

(k) Sold for use as fuel in a railroad locomotive when subject to the tax levied by Section 27-59-301 et seq.

(2) The exemptions set forth in paragraphs (f), (h), (i) and (j) of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to special fuel used in performing contracts for construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or repairs, where such contracts are entered into with the State of Mississippi, any political subdivision of the State of Mississippi, or any department, agency or institution of the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof.

(3) Evidence of exempt transactions provided in this section and the subsections thereof shall consist of copies of invoices, documents or any other evidence that may be required by the commission.

(4) Any person other than a bonded distributor of special fuel who has delivered or sold special fuel on which the tax has been paid by him to the vendor may, if the special fuel is subject to exemption under this act, assign his claim for exemption to any bonded distributor of special fuel in this state. Such distributor may deduct the amount of the tax exemption from his next special fuel report, provided the distributor furnishes evidence satisfactory to the commission that the claim for exemption is valid.

(5) When special fuel is withdrawn from the storage tank of a refiner, processor, marine or pipeline terminal operator and the tax is paid on such special fuel and it or any part thereof cannot be delivered to a purchaser, said refiner, processor, marine or pipeline terminal operator may deduct the tax on all or that portion of such special fuel not delivered to a purchaser from its next special fuel distributor's tax report, provided that such refiner, processor, marine or pipeline terminal operator submits with such tax report: (a) a written report setting forth the reasons why such delivery could not be made, and (b) proof or evidence satisfactory to the commission that the tax in question had theretofore been paid to the commission, and (c) proof or evidence satisfactory to the commission that the nondelivered special fuel was actually returned to the refinery, processor, marine or pipeline terminal from which it was taken for the purpose of delivering it to a purchaser; and provided further, that immediately upon ascertainment by the refiner, processor, marine or pipeline terminal operator that said special fuel cannot be delivered, he or it shall immediately notify the commission of this fact and before moving his or its truck or other means of transporting such special fuel from the intended point of delivery; and should the commission desire to inspect such truck or other means of conveyance, such refiner, processor, marine or pipeline terminal operator shall arrange for such inspection at that point or at such other point that may be designated by the commission.

(6) In order to claim exemptions provided for under this act, the distributor of special fuel must file claims therefor within three (3) years from the date of sale or delivery; otherwise, claims for such exemptions shall be disallowed.

SECTION 15. (1) A bonded distributor of special fuel may sell undyed diesel fuel to a consumer for nonhighway use.

(2) The distributor of special fuel who sells undyed diesel fuel to a consumer for nonhighway use may exempt from such sale all but Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon of the tax levied in Section 10 of this act.

(3) The distributor may deduct the amount of tax exempted on his special fuels tax report.

SECTION 16. The commission, in its discretion, may promulgate rules setting forth requirements for marking or identifying diesel fuel or kerosene to be used for nonhighway purposes.

Storage facilities for nonhighway use diesel fuel or for nonhighway use kerosene shall be plainly marked "NONHIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL" or "NONHIGHWAY KEROSENE" in lettering of not less than four (4) inches in height on a contrasting background. Where such storage facilities are underground, then all pumps or dispensing equipment shall be plainly marked as required in this section. Where such diesel fuel or kerosene is delivered directly into the fuel tank or equipment for nonhighway use, either the fuel tank or some part of such equipment as near to the fuel tank as possible shall be plainly marked "NONHIGHWAY DIESEL FUEL" or "NONHIGHWAY KEROSENE" in lettering of not less than four (4) inches in height on a contrasting background. Separate storage facilities are required for highway use diesel fuel and kerosene and shall be marked "FOR HIGHWAY USE" in lettering of not less than four (4) inches in height on a contrasting background.

Any person who purchases, receives, acquires or uses any nonhighway diesel fuel or kerosene shall be liable for the tax levied by Sections 10 and 11 of this act, if such diesel fuel or kerosene is used on the highways of this state or for any purpose taxable under such sections.

All sales of diesel fuel for nonhighway use shall be evidenced in writing and such invoice shall bear the name of the purchaser and seller, the date of delivery of such diesel fuel, the kind and quantity of the product delivered and the use for which such nonhighway diesel fuel was purchased. Such invoices shall be retained by the purchaser of nonhighway diesel fuel for a period of not less than three (3) years. Invoices made to cash shall not be considered as complying with the terms of this act.

SECTION 17. (1) When gasoline and special fuel on which the tax has been paid are accidentally mixed, the distributor of special fuel or other person owning such mixture may claim credit for the gasoline tax and/or special fuel tax on the gasoline and special fuel constituting such mixture.

(2) When dyed special fuel and undyed special fuel are accidentally mixed and the mixture is converted to nonhighway use special fuel, the distributor of special fuel or other person owning such mixture may claim credit for any taxes exceeding Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon which have been paid on such mixture.

(3) Proof satisfactory to the commission must be submitted with any claim for credit made pursuant to this section or the claim will be disallowed.

(4) The special fuels distributor or other person owning a mixture described in this section shall notify the commission immediately after gaining knowledge of such mixture.

(5) Upon receipt of the claim for credit, the commission shall determine the amount of refund or tax credit due the claimant and, in the case of a refund, the amount shall be refunded as provided in Section 27-55-19, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 18. When special fuel is lost or destroyed in quantities of seven hundred fifty (750) gallons or more through explosion, fire, collision, storage tank wreckage, wreckage of loading or unloading facilities such as pumps and lines, or acts of Providence while in storage in this state or while being transported in this state, the owner of such special fuel shall be entitled to tax credit or refund of the tax paid thereon.

The commission shall be notified by the owner of such lost or destroyed special fuel within five (5) days after the loss or destruction is discovered. The commission shall make such investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding such loss or destruction as may be reasonably necessary for the effective administration of this act.

The claim shall be made in the name of the owner of such lost or destroyed special fuel and shall be signed by the owner or his authorized agent and filed within three (3) years after the date of loss. All such claims must be accompanied by proof satisfactory to the commission that the special fuel for which credit is claimed was destroyed by or through one of the means set forth in the first paragraph of this section, and in all cases where the special fuel alleged to have been destroyed was covered by insurance, the commission shall not approve such claims unless and until the insurer has acknowledged and actually paid the loss.

Upon receipt of the claim, the commission shall determine the amount of refund or tax credit due the claimant and in the case of refund the amount shall be refunded to the claimant as provided in Section 27-55-19.

If the commission determines that any refund claim shall not be paid, it shall notify the claimant stating the reason or reasons why such claim is disallowed.

A claimant may, within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice of the disallowance of his claim, appeal to the board of review as provided in Section 27-55-41.

SECTION 19. All administrative provisions of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law, including those which fix damages, penalties and interest for nonpayment of taxes, failure to file returns, and for other noncompliance with the provisions of such chapter, and all other requirements and duties imposed upon taxpayers, shall apply to all persons liable for taxes under the provisions of this act, and the commission shall exercise all the power and authority and perform all the duties with respect to taxpayers under this act as are provided in the sales tax law, except that in cases of conflict, then the provisions of this act shall control.

SECTION 20. It shall be unlawful to use dyed diesel fuel or kerosene in a motor vehicle on a highway unless that use is permitted under Section 4082 of the Internal Revenue Code. A person who operates on a highway a motor vehicle whose supply tank contains dyed diesel fuel or kerosene whose use is unlawful under this section shall be liable for a penalty of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) which shall be in addition to any taxes that may be due.

SECTION 21. Every common or contract carrier transporting special fuel, by whatever means, from a point outside this state to any point in this state, shall report, in writing, all deliveries of special fuel to points within this state to the commission on forms prescribed by the commission or, with the approval of the commission, furnish the required information on machine-prepared schedules, and such other information as may be necessary for the proper administration of this act.

The reports required in this section shall be for information purposes only and the commission may, in its discretion, waive the filing of any of these reports not necessary for proper administration of this act. The reports required in this section shall be signed and contain a declaration that the statements contained therein are true and are made under penalty of perjury. Such reports required in this section shall be filed with the commission on or before the 20th day of each month following the month in which the transaction occurred.

Any such person failing or refusing to file such report on or before the date required by law, or who shall omit any shipment of diesel fuel, kerosene or special fuel from such report, shall be subject to a penalty which shall be a percentage of the tax imposed by law on the total amount of the taxable products involved as follows:

(a) Not more than ten percent (10%) for the first failure, refusal or omission; and

(b) Not more than twenty percent (20%) for the second and any subsequent failure, refusal or omission.

The commission may waive such penalty upon good cause shown.

SECTION 22. A gallonage measuring meter shall be installed on each pipeline used for the withdrawal of special fuel, subject to excise taxes provided in this act, from the storage tank of any refinery, pipeline terminal, water terminal or any terminal that does not have stationary bulk storage tanks at such terminal within the State of Mississippi, and no such special fuel shall be withdrawn except through gallonage measuring meters. No bypass installation shall be constructed around the meters. The meters shall be installed and maintained as required by the commission.

The commission is authorized to verify the accuracy of meters used for the input or withdrawal of special fuel at a refinery or terminal. All meters shall be sealed by either the terminal operator or the commission.

It shall also be unlawful for any person to withdraw any taxable special fuel, from storage tanks as covered by this act except through the meters prescribed herein. The violation of any of the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, such person shall be subject to fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or to imprisonment for not more than sixty (60) days in jail, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

SECTION 23. Each distributor of special fuel shall maintain and keep for a period of three (3) years a record of all special fuel purchased, received, procured, manufactured, refined, compounded, used, sold, stored, or delivered within this state by such distributor, together with invoices, bills of lading, and other pertinent records and papers as may be reasonably required by the commission.

It shall be the duty of every person purchasing special fuel from a distributor of special fuel or other person for the purpose of sale or distribution to maintain and keep for a period of three (3) years a record of all special fuel received, together with delivery tickets, invoices, bills of lading, and such other records as the commission may require.

All sales made by a distributor of special fuel, other than retail sales from a service station, shall be evidenced in writing, signed by the seller, or his agent, shall bear the date of purchase, name and address of the purchaser and the seller, and shall show the kind and quantity of the product purchased. Sales tickets and invoices made to cash shall not be considered as complying with the terms of this act.

If, in the normal conduct of business of a distributor of special fuel or purchaser, the records of such distributor or purchaser are maintained and kept at an office outside this state, it shall be a sufficient compliance with this section if the records shall be made available for audit and examination by the commission at such office located outside Mississippi. If a distributor or purchaser fails or refuses to permit the commission or any of its employees to check and audit its records during the usual business hours of the day, the commission shall have authority to subpoena said records and have them brought to the office of the commission within ten (10) days after the subpoena is served on the distributor of special fuel or purchaser.

If a distributor of special fuel or purchaser fails to maintain adequate records, or if an audit of the records of said distributor or purchaser, or any report filed by him or any other information discloses that taxes are due and unpaid, the commission shall make assessments of taxes, damages and interest from any information available, which shall be prima facie correct.

All actions by this state for the recovery of additional amounts claimed as tax due under this act must be commenced within a period of three (3) years from the date of the filing of the required report with the commission, provided that in the case of a fraudulent or false report with intent to evade tax or of a failure to file a report, action may be commenced at any time. However, when an examination of a taxpayer's records to verify returns made under this act has been initiated and the taxpayer notified thereof by certified mail, within the thirty-six-month examination period provided herein, the determination of the correct tax liability may be made by the commission after the expiration of said thirty-six-month examination period, provided that said determination shall be made with reasonable promptness and diligence.

SECTION 24. The commissioner and his agents and employees shall have full access, ingress, and egress at all reasonable hours to and from any place or building where special fuel may be received, stored, transported, sold, offered or exposed for sale, manufactured, refined, distilled, compounded or blended. The commissioner and his agents and employees shall have the right to open and inspect any case, package, or other container, any tank, pump, tank car or storage tank in which special fuel is kept and enter upon any barge, vessel, or other vehicle transporting special fuel and, with instruments conforming to the weights and measures adopted by the United States Bureau of Standards, check any measuring device or volume of weight of the contents of any such container.

The commission, its employees or agents and enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation are authorized to inspect any vehicle transporting special fuel over the highways of this state, or any boat, barge or vessel transporting special fuel over the waters of this state, to examine the contents of such vehicle, boat, barge or vessel, to take a sample, not to exceed one (1) gallon, of the special fuel contained in such vehicle, boat, barge or vessel, and to inspect the bills of lading, manifest, invoices or other records pertaining to the special fuel being transported.

The commission, its employees or agents and enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation are hereby authorized to stop any motor vehicle traveling the highways of this state; to inspect the contents of the motor vehicle's fuel supply tank; to take a sample, not to exceed one (1) gallon, of the contents of the fuel supply tank of such motor vehicle and to examine any invoices, receipts or other documents pertaining to the contents of the motor vehicle's fuel supply tank.

Any person who refuses to allow an inspection as authorized in this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both such fine and imprisonment.

SECTION 25. Any person aggrieved by any order or act of the commission in the administration of this act may appeal in the same manner and under the same conditions as provided for appeals from acts or orders of the commission pertaining to gasoline taxes in Section 27-55-41.

SECTION 26. The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to institute legal proceedings for any and all violations of this act, to recover taxes, damages or penalties due under this act. All taxes and damages recovered in any proceedings by the commission shall be paid over and disposed of as any and all other special fuel taxes are required to be. Any chancellor or judge authorized to grant remedial writs shall grant writs of sequestration for the impounding of special fuel on which the excise tax or penalty is owed. Before any writ of sequestration shall be issued under this section, the complainant shall make an affidavit showing that it had good cause to believe, and does believe, that there is an excise tax or penalty owed the State of Mississippi on the special fuel sought to be sequestered and that unless said special fuel is sequestered and impounded, said special fuel will be removed, concealed, or disposed of. Upon such affidavit being presented to any chancellor or judge authorized to grant remedial writs, said chancellor or judge shall order said writ to be issued upon the filing of a bill of complaint for the collection of the excise tax on said special fuel. The writ of sequestration shall then be issued and the property dealt with in the manner now provided by law for other writs of sequestration. Where the State of Mississippi is the complainant, no bond shall be required of said state for the issuance of said writ of sequestration.

The State of Mississippi shall have a lien upon all of the property of every distributor or person acting as a distributor of special fuel without a permit, used in the operation of his business as such distributor, for the excise taxes levied by this act and due or to become due the State of Mississippi. Such liens or encumbrances of whatever character shall be paramount to private liens and to the rights of any holder of the legal title in or to any pumps, tanks, inventories of special fuel and other petroleum products, motor vehicles, or other personal property used in the operation of said business.

The commission shall have the right, when taxes due the State of Mississippi are delinquent under this act, or where any person acting as a distributor of special fuel without a permit receives special fuel in this state without paying the tax thereon, to cause a writ of summons and seizure to issue, returnable to the court having jurisdiction thereof, in like manner as such writs are authorized to be issued by Chapter 7 of Title 85, Mississippi Code of 1972. Such writ shall be directed to the proper officer or to the commission commanding the officer or the commission, as the case may be, to seize the property upon which a lien exists as hereinabove provided. After the issuance of such writ, such actions and proceedings shall be had on such writ as presently provided for the enforcement of purchase money security interests by the statutes of this state. The commission shall have the right to stop and hold any moving or movable equipment subject to seizure pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph pending the issuance of process.

It is expressly provided that the remedies set out in the foregoing paragraph shall be cumulative and that no action taken by the commission shall be construed to be an election on the part of this state or any of its officers to pursue any remedy hereunder to the exclusion of any other remedy for which provision is made in this act.

SECTION 27. In the event that any taxes or penalties imposed by this act have been erroneously or illegally collected from a distributor or other person, the commission may permit such distributor of special fuel or other person to take credit against a subsequent tax report for the amount of the erroneous overpayment, or the amount thereof may be refunded to the distributor or other person in the same manner as provided in Section 27-55-19.

No refunds shall be made under the provisions of this section unless a written claim is filed setting forth the circumstances by reason of which such refund should be allowed. Such claim shall be in the form as the commission shall prescribe and shall be filed with the commission within three (3) years from the date of payment of the taxes erroneously or illegally collected. Nothing in this act shall be construed to prohibit a refund or credit for tax paid on special fuel not subject to tax or which is exempt from tax, provided there has not been a willful disregard of the provisions of this act and further provided that the claim therefor is filed within three (3) years.

SECTION 28. All funds collected by the commission under provisions of this act, or under the provisions of any other law, which may now or in the future be collected by said commission, are hereby designated as public funds of the State of Mississippi and shall be by it deposited in accordance with Section 7-9-21. Allocations of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax to the counties shall be made by the commission as provided by law and reported to the State Treasurer at the end of each month. The State Treasurer shall issue his requisition in payment thereof on the State Fiscal Officer, who shall issue his warrant on the State Treasurer, as is provided for the disbursement of other state funds.

SECTION 29. The commission shall, upon request received from officials entrusted with the enforcement of special fuel taxes of any other state or taxing authority, forward to such officials any information which it may have in its possession relative to the manufacture, receipt, sale, use, transportation and/or shipment by any person of special fuel.

SECTION 30. Every person hauling, transporting or conveying more than five hundred (500) gallons of special fuel over the highways, streets, alleys or waters of this state, or into this state over any highway, street, alley or water route, shall, during the entire time he is so engaged, have in his possession a bill of sale, bills of lading, invoices or other written evidence, each of which shall be serially numbered, showing the kind and amount of special fuel being transported, the name and address of the person from whom such special fuel was received, and the name and address of the person to whom delivery is to be made. The vehicle or boat conveying such special fuel shall have clearly printed on it the name and address of the person transporting the special fuel on both sides of the vehicle or boat in well-balanced letters of not less than two (2) inches in height on a contrasting background.

Any person other than a common or contract carrier bringing special fuel into this state in quantities of more than five hundred (500) gallons shall give notice to the commission of his intent to import such special fuel. The commission is authorized to promulgate rules setting forth the manner in which such notice is to be given. However, if information on special fuel imported into this state can be accurately secured from other sources by the commission, it may waive the requirements of such notice.

If any person, other than a common or contract carrier, shall transport special fuel over the highways of this state by motor vehicle without having given the notice required by this section, or if a copy of such notice is not carried in such motor vehicle as required by this section, the entire amount of the state excise tax upon such special fuel being transported shall be deemed due and payable, plus a penalty of twenty-five percent (25%) of the amount of such tax, and any authorized representative of the commission or enforcement officers of the Mississippi Department of Transportation shall have the right to seize or impound the motor vehicle in which such special fuel is being transported until such excise tax together with the penalty thereon has been paid. Provided, however, that the penalty shall not apply when the driver of the truck stops at the first weighing station in the line of travel and secures the signature of the officer on duty on the import notice.

SECTION 31. The amount received on special fuel as defined in this act shall be paid and apportioned in accordance with Section 27-5-101.

SECTION 32. The commission is hereby given power and authority to make all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act, with reference to all petroleum excise tax provisions and exemptions governing the making of reports and contents of same and doing any and all other duties pertaining to the making of reports and payment of taxes, and such other matters as will, in the judgment of the commission, contribute to a more efficient administration of all the petroleum excise tax provisions of this act. Such rules and regulations, when made, shall have the same binding force and effect as if incorporated in this act.

SECTION 33. This act shall not release or relinquish any liability or penalty incurred or right accrued under the laws of this state as they existed before the effective date of this act and such laws shall be considered as remaining in force for the purpose of instituting or sustaining any proper action or prosecution for the enforcement of any such liability, penalty, or right. Such laws shall govern the reporting and payment of taxes on oil and other motor fuel received, sold, distributed or used by bonded distributors or other persons before the effective date of this act. Any and all matters, orders, hearings, and proceedings pending before the commission or before any court under provisions of such prior laws shall continue with the same effect as though such prior laws were not amended or repealed.

SECTION 34. (1) A tax at a rate of Twelve and One-fourth Cents (12.25¢) per gallon shall apply to all undyed diesel fuel, on which the other motor fuel tax has not been paid, held in storage at a bulk plant or retail location on July 1, 1999, by any distributor of special fuel.

(2) The commission shall determine the time and manner of reporting the quantities of undyed diesel fuel in storage on July 1, 1999, and the payment of any taxes due.

SECTION 35. Section 7-7-2, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

7-7-2. (1) The Mississippi General Accounting Office and the State Fiscal Officer, acting through the Bureau of Budget and Fiscal Management, shall be the Department of Public Accounts formerly in the Office of the State Auditor of Public Accounts.

(2) The words "State Auditor of Public Accounts," "State Auditor" and "Auditor" appearing in the laws of this state in connection with the performance of Auditor's functions shall mean the State Fiscal Officer, and, more particularly, such words or terms shall mean the State Fiscal Officer whenever they appear in Sections 5-1-57, 5-1-59, 5-3-23, 7-1-33, 7-1-63, 7-3-29, 7-5-31, 7-11-25, 17-13-11, 9-1-36, 9-3-7, 9-3-23, 9-3-27, 9-3-29, 9-3-45, 11-35-11, 11-45-1, 21-33-47, 21-33-401, 23-5-215, 25-1-75, 25-1-81, 25-1-95, 25-1-98, 25-3-41, 25-3-51, 25-3-53, 25-3-55, 25-3-57, 25-3-59, 25-3-97, 25-7-7, 25-7-83, 25-9-135, 25-31-8, 25-31-10, 25-31-37, 27-1-35, 27-3-43, 27-3-45, 27-3-57, 27-3-59, 27-5-22, 27-5-103, 27-7-45, 27-7-313, 27-9-49, 27-11-3, 27-13-55, 27-15-203, 27-15-239, 27-15-241, 27-21-13, 27-29-1, 27-29-5, 27-29-11, 27-29-13, 27-29-15, 27-29-17, 27-29-25, 27-29-33, 27-31-109, 27-33-11, 27-33-41, 27-33-45, 27-33-47, 27-35-121, 27-35-149, 27-37-303, 27-39-13, 27-39-319, 27-41-19, 27-41-23, 27-41-25, 27-41-27, 27-41-41, 27-41-75, 27-45-1, 27-45-13, 27-45-19, 27-49-5, 27-49-9, 27-55-19, 27-55-47, * * *, 27-57-35, Section 28 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, 27-59-51, 27-65-51, 27-65-53, 27-67-29, 27-69-3, 27-69-73, 27-69-77, 27-71-301, 27-71-305, 27-71-339, 27-73-1, 27-73-7, 27-73-11, 27-103-55, 27-103-67, 27-105-7, 27-105-19, 27-105-21, 27-105-23, 27-105-33, 27-107-11, 27-107-59, 27-107-81, 27-107-101, 27-107-121, 27-107-141, 27-107-157, 27-107-173, 29-1-27, 29-1-79, 29-1-85, 29-1-87, 29-1-93, 29-1-95, 29-1-111, 31-3-17, 31-7-9, 31-9-15, 31-17-3, 31-17-59, 31-17-105, 31-19-17, 31-19-19, 31-19-21, 31-19-23, 31-5-15, 33-9-11, 35-7-45, 35-9-3, 35-9-5, 35-9-27, 35-9-29, 35-9-33, 37-3-7, 37-3-15, 37-3-17, 37-3-39, 37-13-33, 37-19-27, 37-19-29, 37-19-45, 37-19-47, 37-25-27, 37-27-17, 37-29-165, 37-31-41, 37-33-31, 37-33-71, 37-43-47, 37-101-103, 37-101-149, 37-109-25, 37-113-5, 37-133-7, 39-1-31, 39-3-109, 41-3-13, 41-4-19, 41-7-25, 41-73-71, 43-9-35, 43-13-113, 43-29-29, 45-1-11, 45-1-23, 45-23-7, 47-5-77, 47-5-155, 49-1-65, 49-5-21, 49-5-97, 49-17-69, 49-19-1, 51-5-15, 51-33-77, 51-33-79, 51-33-81, 51-33-87, 53-1-77, 55-3-41, 57-4-21, 57-9-5, 57-10-123, 57-13-7, 57-13-19, 57-15-5, 59-5-53, 59-7-103, 59-9-71, 59-17-47, 63-19-51, 65-1-111, 65-1-117, 65-9-9, 65-9-17, 65-9-25, 65-11-43, 65-11-45, 65-23-107, 65-26-7, 65-26-35, 69-9-5, 69-15-113, 71-5-359, 73-5-5, 73-6-9, 73-19-13, 73-36-17, 75-75-109, 77-3-89, 77-9-493, 77-11-201, 81-1-49, 83-1-13, 83-1-37, 83-1-39, 83-43-7, 83-43-21, 89-11-27, 97-11-29, 97-21-1, 97-21-61 and 99-15-19, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 36. Section 27-5-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-5-101. Unless otherwise provided in this section, on or before the fifteenth day of each month, all gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes which are levied under the laws of this state and collected during the previous month shall be paid and apportioned by the State Tax Commission as follows:

(a) (i) From the gross amount of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes produced by the state, there shall be deducted an amount equal to one-sixth (1/6) of principal and interest certified by the State Treasurer to the State Tax Commission to be due on the next semiannual bond and interest payment date, as required under the provisions of Chapter 130, Laws of 1938, and subsequent acts authorizing the issuance of bonds payable from gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax revenue on a parity with the bonds issued under authority of said Chapter 130. The State Treasurer shall certify to the State Tax Commission on or before the fifteenth day of each month the amount to be paid to the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" as provided by said Chapter 130, Laws of 1938, and subsequent acts authorizing the issuance of bonds payable from gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax revenue, on a parity with the bonds issued under authority of said Chapter 130; and the State Tax Commission shall, on or before the twenty-fifth day of each month, pay into the State Treasury for credit to the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" the amount so certified to him by the State Treasurer due to be paid into such fund each month. The payments to the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" shall be made out of gross gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax collections before deductions of any nature are considered; however, such payments shall be deducted from the allocation to the Mississippi Department of Transportation under paragraph (c) of this section.

(ii) From collections derived from the portion of the gasoline excise tax that exceeds Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon, from the portion of the tax on aviation gas under Section 27-55-11 that exceeds Six and Four-tenths Cents (6.4¢) per gallon, from the portion of the special fuel tax levied under Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon that exceeds Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon, from the portion of the taxes levied under Section 10 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon) that exceeds One Cent (1¢) per gallon on special fuel and Five and One-fourth Cents (5.25¢) per gallon on special fuel used as aircraft fuel, from the portion of the excise tax on compressed gas used as a motor fuel that exceeds the rate of tax in effect on June 30, 1987, and from the portion of the gasoline excise tax in excess of Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon and the diesel excise tax in excess of Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon under Section 27-61-5 there shall be deducted:

1. An amount as provided in Section 27-65-75(4) to the credit of a special fund designated as the "Office of State Aid Road Construction."

2. An amount equal to the tax collections derived from Two Cents (2¢) per gallon of the gasoline excise tax for distribution to the State Highway Fund to be used exclusively for the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of highways of the State of Mississippi or the payment of interest and principal on bonds when specifically authorized by the Legislature for that purpose.

3. The balance shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway Fund.

(b) Subject to the provisions that said basis of distribution shall in nowise affect adversely the amount specifically pledged in paragraph (a) of this section to be paid into the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund," the following shall be deducted from the amount produced by the state tax on gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax collections, excluding collections derived from the portion of the gasoline excise tax that exceeds Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon, from the portion of the tax on aviation gas under Section 27-55-11 that exceeds Six and Four-tenths Cents (6.4¢) per gallon, from the portion of the special fuel tax levied under Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon that exceeds Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon, from the portion of the taxes levied under Section 10 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon that exceeds One Cent (1¢) per gallon on special fuel and Five and One-fourth Cents (5.25¢) per gallon on special fuel used as aircraft fuel, from the portion of the excise tax on compressed gas used as a motor fuel that exceeds the rate of tax in effect on June 30, 1987, and from the portion of the gasoline excise tax in excess of Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon and the diesel excise tax in excess of Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon under Section 27-61-5:

(i) Twenty percent (20%) of such amount which shall be earmarked and set aside for the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of the highways and roads of the state, provided that if such twenty percent (20%) should reduce any county to a lesser amount than that received in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, then such twenty percent (20%) shall be reduced to a percentage to provide that no county shall receive less than its portion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966;

(ii) The amount allowed as refund on gasoline or as tax credit on diesel fuel or kerosene used for agricultural, maritime, industrial, domestic, and nonhighway purposes;

(iii) Five percent (5%) of such amount shall be paid to the State Highway Fund;

(iv) The amount or portion thereof authorized by legislative appropriation to the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund created under Section 59-21-25;

(v) The amount for deposit into the special aviation fund under paragraph (d) of this section; and

(vi) The remainder shall be divided on a basis of nine-fourteenths (9/14) and five-fourteenths (5/14) (being the same basis as Four and One-half Cents (4-1/2¢) and Two and One-half Cents (2-1/2¢) is to Seven Cents (7¢) on gasoline, and six and forty-three one-hundredths (6.43) and three and fifty-seven one-hundredths (3.57) is to Ten Cents (10¢) on diesel fuel or kerosene). The amount produced by the nine-fourteenths (9/14) division shall be allocated to the Transportation Department and paid into the State Treasury as provided in this section and in Section 27-5-103 and the five-fourteenths (5/14) division shall be returned to the counties of the state on the following basis:

1. In each fiscal year, each county shall be paid each month the same percentage of the monthly total to be distributed as was paid to that county during the same month in the fiscal year which ended April 9, 1960, until the county receives One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) in such fiscal year, at which time funds shall be distributed under the provisions of paragraph (b)(vi)4 of this section.

2. If after payments in 1 above, any county has not received a total of One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) at the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1961, and each fiscal year thereafter, then any available funds not distributed under 1 above shall be used to bring such county or counties up to One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) or such funds shall be divided equally among such counties not reaching One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) if there is not sufficient money to bring all the counties to said One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00).

3. When a county has been paid an amount equal to the total which was paid to the same county during the fiscal year ended April 9, 1960, such county shall receive no further payments during the then current fiscal year until the last month of such current fiscal year, at which time distribution will be made under 2 above, except as set out in 4 below.

4. During the last month of the current fiscal year, should it be determined that there are funds available in excess of the amount distributed for the year under 1 and 2 above, then such excess funds shall be distributed among the various counties as follows:

One-third (1/3) of such excess to be divided equally among the counties;

One-third (1/3) of such excess to be paid to the counties in the proportion which the population of each county bears to the total population of the state according to the last federal census;

One-third (1/3) of such excess to be paid to the counties in the proportion which the number of square miles of each county bears to the total square miles in the state.

5. It is the declared purpose and intent of the Legislature that no county shall be paid less than was paid during the year ended April 9, 1960, unless the amount to be distributed to all counties in any year is less than the amount distributed to all counties during the year ended April 9, 1960.

The Municipal Aid Fund as established by Section 27-5-103 shall not participate in any portion of any funds allocated to any county hereunder over and above One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00).

In any county having countywide road or bridge bonds, or supervisors district or district road or bridge bonds outstanding, which exceed, in the aggregate, twelve percent (12%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county or district, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than sixty percent (60%) of such county's share or district's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest on such road or bridge bonds as they mature.

In any county having such countywide road or bridge bonds or district road or bridge bonds outstanding which exceed, in the aggregate, eight percent (8%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, but which do not exceed, in the aggregate, twelve percent (12%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than thirty-five percent (35%) of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest of such road or bridge bonds as they mature.

In any county having such countywide road or bridge bonds or district road or bridge bonds outstanding which exceed, in the aggregate, five percent (5%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, but which do not exceed, in the aggregate, eight percent (8%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than twenty percent (20%) of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest of such road and bridge bonds as they mature.

In any county having such countywide road or bridge bonds or district road or bridge bonds outstanding which do not exceed, in the aggregate, five percent (5%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than ten percent (10%) of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest on such road or bridge bonds as they mature.

The portion of any such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes thus set aside for the payment of the principal and interest of road or bridge bonds, as provided for in this section, shall be used first in paying the currently maturing installments of the principal and interest of such countywide road or bridge bonds, if there be any such countywide road or bridge bonds outstanding, and secondly, in paying the currently maturing installments of principal and interest of district road or bridge bonds outstanding. It shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to pay bonds and interest maturing in each supervisors district out of the supervisors district's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes of such district.

The remaining portion of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes, after setting aside the portion above provided for the payment of the principal and interest of bonds, shall be used in the construction and maintenance of any public highways, bridges, or culverts of the county, including the roads in special or separate road districts, in the discretion of the board of supervisors, or in paying the interest and principal of county road and bridge bonds or district road and bridge bonds, in the discretion of the board of supervisors.

In any county having no countywide road or bridge bonds or district road or bridge bonds outstanding, all such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes shall be used in the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of the public highways, bridges, or culverts of the county as the board of supervisors may determine.

In every county in which there are county road bonds or seawall or road protection bonds outstanding which were issued for the purpose of building bridges or constructing public roads or seawalls, such funds shall be used in the manner provided by law.

(c) From the amount produced by the nine-fourteenths (9/14) division allocated to the Transportation Department, there shall be deducted:

(i) The amount paid to the State Treasurer for the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" under paragraph (a) of this section;

(ii) Any amounts due counties in accordance with Section 65-33-45 which have outstanding bonds issued for seawall or road protection purposes, issued under provisions of Chapter 319, Laws of 1924, and amendments thereto;

(iii) Beginning August 15, 2002, and on or before the fifteenth day of each month thereafter, an amount equal to one-sixth (1/6) of the principal and interest certified by the State Treasurer to the State Tax Commission to be due on the next semiannual bond and interest payment date for the bonds issued under Sections 65-39-5 through 65-39-33. On or before the twenty-fifth day of each month the State Tax Commission shall pay into the State Treasury for credit to the Gaming Counties Bond Sinking Fund created in Section 65-39-3, the amount so certified by the State Treasurer.

(iv) The remainder shall be paid by the State Tax Commission to the State Treasurer on the fifteenth day of each month next succeeding the month in which the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes were collected to the credit of the State Highway Fund.

The funds allocated for the construction, reconstruction, and improvement of state highways, bridges, and culverts, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall first be used in conjunction with funds supplied by the federal government for such purposes and allocated to the State Transportation Department to be expended on the state highway system. It is specifically provided hereby that the necessary portion of such funds hereinabove allocated to the State Transportation Department may be used for the prompt payment of principal and interest on highway bonds heretofore issued, including such bonds issued or to be issued under the provisions of Chapter 312, Laws of 1956, and amendments thereto.

Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to reduce the amount of such gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene excise taxes levied by the state, allotted under the provisions of Title 65, Chapter 33, Mississippi Code of 1972, to counties in which there are outstanding bonds issued for seawall or road protection purposes issued under the provisions of Chapter 319, Laws of 1924, and amendments thereto; the amount of said gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene excise taxes designated in this section for the payment of bonds and interest authorized and issued or to be issued under the provisions of Chapter 130, Laws of 1938, and subsequent acts authorizing the issuance of bonds payable from gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax revenue, shall, in such counties, be considered as being paid "into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway Fund" within the meaning of Section 65-33-45 in computing the amount to be paid to such counties under the provisions of said section, and this section shall be administered in connection with Title 65, Chapter 33, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Sections 65-33-45, 65-33-47 and 65-33-49 dealing with seawalls, as if made a part of this section.

(d) The proceeds of the Five and One-fourth Cents (5.25¢) of the tax per gallon on oils used as a propellant for jet aircraft engines, and Six and Four-tenths Cents (6.4¢) of the tax per gallon on aviation gasoline and the tax of One Cent (1¢) per gallon for each gallon of gasoline for which a refund has been made pursuant to Section 27-55-23 because such gasoline was used for aviation purposes, shall be paid to the State Treasury into a special fund to be used exclusively, pursuant to legislative appropriation, for the support and development of aeronautics as defined in Section 61-1-3.

(e) State highway funds in an amount equal to the difference between Forty-two Million Dollars ($42,000,000.00) and the annual debt service payable on the state's highway revenue refunding bonds, Series 1985, shall be expended for the construction or reconstruction of highways designated under the Four-Lane Highway Program created under Section 65-3-97.

(f) "Gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes" as used in this section shall be deemed to mean and include state gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes levied and imposed on distributors of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene, and all state excise taxes derived from any fuel used to propel vehicles upon the highways of this state, when levied by any statute.

27-5-101. Unless otherwise provided in this section, on or before the fifteenth day of each month, all gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes which are levied under the laws of this state and collected during the previous month shall be paid and apportioned by the State Tax Commission as follows:

(a) (i) From the gross amount of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes produced by the state, there shall be deducted an amount equal to one-sixth (1/6) of principal and interest certified by the State Treasurer to the State Tax Commission to be due on the next semiannual bond and interest payment date, as required under the provisions of Chapter 130, Laws of 1938, and subsequent acts authorizing the issuance of bonds payable from gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax revenue on a parity with the bonds issued under authority of said Chapter 130. The State Treasurer shall certify to the State Tax Commission on or before the fifteenth day of each month the amount to be paid to the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" as provided by said Chapter 130, Laws of 1938, and subsequent acts authorizing the issuance of bonds payable from gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax revenue, on a parity with the bonds issued under authority of said Chapter 130; and the State Tax Commission shall, on or before the twenty-fifth day of each month, pay into the State Treasury for credit to the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" the amount so certified to him by the State Treasurer due to be paid into such fund each month. The payments to the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" shall be made out of gross gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax collections before deductions of any nature are considered; however, such payments shall be deducted from the allocation to the Transportation Department under paragraph (c) of this section.

(ii) From collections derived from the portion of the gasoline excise tax that exceeds Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon, from the portion of the tax on aviation gas under Section 27-55-11 that exceeds Six and Four-tenths Cents (6.4¢) per gallon, from the portion of the special fuel tax levied under Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon that exceeds Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon, from the portion of the taxes levied under Section 10 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon that exceeds One Cent (1¢) per gallon on special fuel and Five and One-fourth Cents (5.25¢) per gallon on special fuel used as aircraft fuel, from the portion of the excise tax on compressed gas used as a motor fuel that exceeds the rate of tax in effect on June 30, 1987, and from the portion of the gasoline excise tax in excess of Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon and the diesel excise tax in excess of Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon under Section 27-61-5 there shall be deducted:

1. An amount as provided in Section 27-65-75(4) to the credit of a special fund designated as the "Office of State Aid Road Construction."

2. An amount equal to the tax collections derived from Two Cents (2¢) per gallon of the gasoline excise tax for distribution to the State Highway Fund to be used exclusively for the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of highways of the State of Mississippi or the payment of interest and principal on bonds when specifically authorized by the Legislature for that purpose.

3. The balance shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway Fund.

(b) Subject to the provisions that said basis of distribution shall in nowise affect adversely the amount specifically pledged in paragraph (a) of this section to be paid into the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund," the following shall be deducted from the amount produced by the state tax on gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax collections, excluding collections derived from the portion of the gasoline excise tax that exceeds Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon, from the portion of the tax on aviation gas under Section 27-55-11 that exceeds Six and Four-tenths Cents (6.4¢) per gallon, from the portion of the special fuel tax levied under Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon, that exceeds Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon, from the portion of the taxes levied under Section 10 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, at Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢), that exceeds One Cent (1¢) per gallon on special fuel and Five and One-fourth Cents (5.25¢) per gallon on special fuel used as aircraft fuel, from the portion of the excise tax on compressed gas used as a motor fuel that exceeds the rate of tax in effect on June 30, 1987, and from the portion of the gasoline excise tax in excess of Seven Cents (7¢) per gallon and the diesel excise tax in excess of Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon under Section 27-61-5:

(i) Twenty percent (20%) of such amount which shall be earmarked and set aside for the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of the highways and roads of the state, provided that if such twenty percent (20%) should reduce any county to a lesser amount than that received in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966, then such twenty percent (20%) shall be reduced to a percentage to provide that no county shall receive less than its portion for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1966;

(ii) The amount allowed as refund on gasoline or as tax credit on diesel fuel or kerosene used for agricultural, maritime, industrial, domestic and nonhighway purposes;

(iii) Five percent (5%) of such amount shall be paid to the State Highway Fund;

(iv) The amount or portion thereof authorized by legislative appropriation to the Fisheries and Wildlife Fund created under Section 59-21-25;

(v) The amount for deposit into the special aviation fund under paragraph (d) of this section; and

(vi) The remainder shall be divided on a basis of nine-fourteenths (9/14) and five-fourteenths (5/14) (being the same basis as Four and One-half Cents (4-1/2¢) and Two and One-half Cents (2-1/2¢) is to Seven Cents (7¢) on gasoline, and six and forty-three one-hundredths (6.43) and three and fifty-seven one-hundredths (3.57) is to Ten Cents (10¢) on diesel fuel or kerosene). The amount produced by the nine-fourteenths (9/14) division shall be allocated to the Transportation Department and paid into the State Treasury as provided in this section and in Section 27-5-103 and the five-fourteenths (5/14) division shall be returned to the counties of the state on the following basis:

1. In each fiscal year, each county shall be paid each month the same percentage of the monthly total to be distributed as was paid to that county during the same month in the fiscal year which ended April 9, 1960, until the county receives One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) in such fiscal year, at which time funds shall be distributed under the provisions of paragraph (b)(vi)4 of this section.

2. If after payments in 1 above, any county has not received a total of One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) at the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1961, and each fiscal year thereafter, then any available funds not distributed under 1 above shall be used to bring such county or counties up to One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) or such funds shall be divided equally among such counties not reaching One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00) if there is not sufficient money to bring all the counties to said One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00).

3. When a county has been paid an amount equal to the total which was paid to the same county during the fiscal year ended April 9, 1960, such county shall receive no further payments during the then current fiscal year until the last month of such current fiscal year, at which time distribution will be made under 2 above, except as set out in 4 below.

4. During the last month of the current fiscal year, should it be determined that there are funds available in excess of the amount distributed for the year under 1 and 2 above, then such excess funds shall be distributed among the various counties as follows:

One-third (1/3) of such excess to be divided equally among the counties;

One-third (1/3) of such excess to be paid to the counties in the proportion which the population of each county bears to the total population of the state according to the last federal census;

One-third (1/3) of such excess to be paid to the counties in the proportion which the number of square miles of each county bears to the total square miles in the state.

5. It is the declared purpose and intent of the Legislature that no county shall be paid less than was paid during the year ended April 9, 1960, unless the amount to be distributed to all counties in any year is less than the amount distributed to all counties during the year ended April 9, 1960.

The Municipal Aid Fund as established by Section 27-5-103 shall not participate in any portion of any funds allocated to any county hereunder over and above One Hundred Ninety Thousand Dollars ($190,000.00).

In any county having road or bridge bonds outstanding which exceed, in the aggregate, twelve percent (12%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than sixty percent (60%) of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest on such road or bridge bonds as they mature.

In any county having such road or bridge bonds outstanding which exceed, in the aggregate, eight percent (8%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, but which do not exceed, in the aggregate, twelve percent (12%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than thirty-five percent (35%) of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest of such road or bridge bonds as they mature.

In any county having such road or bridge bonds outstanding which exceed, in the aggregate, five percent (5%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, but which do not exceed, in the aggregate, eight percent (8%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than twenty percent (20%) of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest of such road and bridge bonds as they mature.

In any county having such road or bridge bonds outstanding which do not exceed, in the aggregate, five percent (5%) of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the county, it shall be the duty of the board of supervisors to set aside not less than ten percent (10%) of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes to be used in paying the principal and interest on such road or bridge bonds as they mature.

The portion of any such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes thus set aside for the payment of the principal and interest of road or bridge bonds, as provided for in this section, shall be used in paying the currently maturing installments of the principal and interest of such road or bridge bonds, if there be any such road or bridge bonds outstanding.

The remaining portion of such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes, after setting aside the portion above provided for the payment of the principal and interest of bonds, shall be used in the construction and maintenance of any public highways, bridges or culverts of the county, in the discretion of the board of supervisors.

In any county having no road or bridge bonds outstanding, all such county's share of the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes shall be used in the construction, reconstruction and maintenance of the public highways, bridges or culverts of the county, as the board of supervisors may determine.

In every county in which there are county road bonds or seawall or road protection bonds outstanding which were issued for the purpose of building bridges or constructing public roads or seawalls, such funds shall be used in the manner provided by law.

(c) From the amount produced by the nine-fourteenths (9/14) division allocated to the Transportation Department, there shall be deducted:

(i) The amount paid to the State Treasurer for the "Highway Bonds Sinking Fund" under paragraph (a) of this section;

(ii) Any amounts due counties in accordance with Section 65-33-45 which have outstanding bonds issued for seawall or road protection purposes, issued under provisions of Chapter 319, Laws of 1924, and amendments thereto; and

(iii) Beginning August 15, 2002, and on or before the fifteenth day of each month thereafter, an amount equal to one-sixth (1/6) of the principal and interest certified by the State Treasurer to the State Tax Commission to be due on the next semiannual bond and interest payment date for the bonds issued under Sections 65-39-5 through 65-39-33. On or before the twenty-fifth day of each month the State Tax Commission shall pay into the State Treasury for credit to the Gaming Counties Bond Sinking Fund created in Section 65-39-3, the amount certified by the State Treasurer.

(iv) The remainder shall be paid by the State Tax Commission to the State Treasurer on the fifteenth day of each month next succeeding the month in which the gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes were collected to the credit of the State Highway Fund.

The funds allocated for the construction, reconstruction and improvement of state highways, bridges and culverts, or so much thereof as may be necessary, shall first be used in conjunction with funds supplied by the federal government for such purposes and allocated to the Transportation Department to be expended on the state highway system. It is specifically provided hereby that the necessary portion of such funds hereinabove allocated to the Transportation Department may be used for the prompt payment of principal and interest on highway bonds heretofore issued, including such bonds issued or to be issued under the provisions of Chapter 312, Laws of 1956, and amendments thereto.

Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to reduce the amount of such gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene excise taxes levied by the state, allotted under the provisions of Title 65, Chapter 33, Mississippi Code of 1972, to counties in which there are outstanding bonds issued for seawall or road protection purposes issued under the provisions of Chapter 319, Laws of 1924, and amendments thereto; the amount of said gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene excise taxes designated in this section for the payment of bonds and interest authorized and issued or to be issued under the provisions of Chapter 130, Laws of 1938, and subsequent acts authorizing the issuance of bonds payable from gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene tax revenue, shall, in such counties, be considered as being paid "into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway Fund" within the meaning of Section 65-33-45 in computing the amount to be paid to such counties under the provisions of said section, and this section shall be administered in connection with Title 65, Chapter 33, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Sections 65-33-45, 65-33-47 and 65-33-49 dealing with seawalls, as if made a part of this section.

(d) The proceeds of the Five and One-fourth Cents (5.25¢) of the tax per gallon on oils used as a propellant for jet aircraft engines, and Six and Four-tenths Cents (6.4¢) of the tax per gallon on aviation gasoline and the tax of One Cent (1¢) per gallon for each gallon of gasoline for which a refund has been made pursuant to Section 27-55-23 because such gasoline was used for aviation purposes, shall be paid to the State Treasury into a special fund to be used exclusively, pursuant to legislative appropriation, for the support and development of aeronautics as defined in Section 61-1-3.

(e) State highway funds in an amount equal to the difference between Forty-two Million Dollars ($42,000,000.00) and the annual debt service payable on the state's highway revenue refunding bonds, Series 1985, shall be expended for the construction or reconstruction of highways designated under the Four-Lane Highway Program created under Section 65-3-97.

(f) "Gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes" as used in this section shall be deemed to mean and include state gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes levied and imposed on distributors of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene, and all state excise taxes derived from any fuel used to propel vehicles upon the highways of this state, when levied by any statute.

SECTION 37. Section 27-55-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-55-12. (1) The United States Government, the State of Mississippi, counties, municipalities, school districts and all other political subdivisions of the state shall be exempt from excise taxes on gasoline, special fuel and compressed gas as follows:

(a) From the excise tax rate in excess of Nine Cents (9¢) per gallon of gasoline and from the excise tax rate in excess of One Cent (1¢) per gallon of aviation gasoline levied under Section 27-55-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, Five and Four-tenths Cents (5.4¢) thereof shall be exempt as provided in Section 27-55-19, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(b) From the excise tax rate in excess of Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon of special fuel levied at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon under Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, Four and Three-fourths Cents (4.75¢) thereof shall be exempt.

(c) From the excise tax rate in excess of One Cent (1¢)

per gallon of special fuel taxed at Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon and from the excise tax rate in excess of One-half Cent (1/2¢) per gallon of special fuel used in aircraft levied under Section 10 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, Four and Three-fourths Cents (4.75¢) thereof shall be exempt.

(d) From the portion of the excise tax rate on compressed gas used as a motor fuel that exceeds the rate of tax in effect on June 30, 1987, Three Cents (3¢) thereof shall be exempt.

(2) Any person other than a bonded distributor of gasoline, bonded distributor of special fuel or bonded distributor of compressed gas who sells or delivers any gasoline, special fuel or compressed gas, subject to the exemption set forth in this section, is required to obtain credit for such exemption from a bonded distributor of gasoline, special fuel or compressed gas.

SECTION 38. Section 27-55-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-55-19. There shall not be included in the measure of the tax levied hereunder any gasoline:

(a) Sold or delivered by a bonded distributor of gasoline to a second bonded distributor of gasoline within this state, but nothing in this exclusion shall exempt the second bonded distributor of gasoline from paying the tax, unless the second bonded distributor of gasoline sells or delivers said gasoline to a third bonded distributor of gasoline in which event the third bonded distributor of gasoline shall be liable for the tax.

(b) Sold to the United States Government for use of the Armed Forces only, and delivered in quantities of not less than four thousand (4,000) gallons. Any exemption provided in this paragraph (b) may be deducted without the prior approval of the commission, provided that satisfactory proof of such exemption shall be furnished to the commission. However, such exemption may be disallowed by the commission if the distributor fails to furnish satisfactory proof of such exemption to the commission.

(c) Exported to a destination beyond the borders of this state by a bonded distributor of gasoline when the tax on such gasoline has been paid or on which the tax liability imposed by this article has accrued against such bonded distributor. Any exemption provided in this paragraph (c) may be deducted without the prior approval of the commission, provided that satisfactory proof of such exemption shall be furnished to the commission; however, such exemption may be disallowed by the commission if the distributor fails to furnish satisfactory proof of such exemption to the commission within ninety (90) days from the sale or delivery of the gasoline.

(d) Exported by any person to a destination beyond the borders of this state in quantities of not less than three thousand (3,000) gallons by ship, vessel, barge, railroad tank car, or pipeline, or by tank truck if such tank truck is operated by a common or contract carrier.

(e) Imported by, or sold to, any refiner or processor in this state for the purpose of being refined or further processed.

(f) Sold to any manufacturer for blending or compounding to the end that it becomes a component part of any manufactured product, or where used as a processing agent in the treatment of raw material in manufacturing a product which does not fall within the meaning of the term "gasoline" as defined in this article.

(g) Sold or delivered to be used for test purposes at any regularly established testing laboratory in this state.

Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) above, evidence of exempt transactions provided in this section and subsections thereof, satisfactory to the commission, shall be submitted by the distributor desiring an allowance of said exemptions to the commission with the payment of the excise tax on the gasoline on which the exemption is claimed. If the commission decides that the distributor is entitled to the exemption and allowance claimed, it shall notify said distributor in writing of such allowance. The distributor shall then be allowed to deduct from the payments made in his next monthly report, after said allowance, the amount of tax which he paid on this exempted gasoline which amount shall be arrived at by taking the amount of exempted gasoline minus two percent (2%) allowed for evaporation, shrinkage and other losses on gasoline, and multiplying the remainder by the amount of excise tax per gallon. In cases where the amount of such tax cannot be absorbed on the estimated tax liability of the person making such payments during the next six (6) months, the amount shall be refunded to the taxpayer. Such amount shall be certified to the State Auditor of Public Accounts by the commission. The said Auditor is hereby authorized to make such investigation and audit of the claim as he finds necessary. If he finds that the commission is correct in its determination, the Auditor may issue his warrant to the State Treasurer in favor of the taxpayer for the amount of tax erroneously paid, such refunds to be made from current gasoline, * * * or special fuel tax collections.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, in order to claim exemptions provided for under this article, the distributor of gasoline must file claims therefor within three (3) years from the date of sale or delivery; otherwise, claims for such exemptions shall be disallowed.

In case gasoline and special fuel on which the tax has been previously paid are accidentally mixed, the distributor of gasoline or other person owning such mixture may ship the mixture out of the State of Mississippi, or to a Mississippi refinery, and may claim credit for the gasoline and/or special fuel tax on the gasoline and special fuel so mixed. The distributor of gasoline or other person may also ship the mixture to a barge or pipeline storage terminal within the State of Mississippi to be brought up to gasoline specifications, or lowered to special fuel specifications, as the case might be, under the supervision of a representative of the commission. It shall be the duty of the distributor of gasoline or other person to whom the mixed product belongs to notify the commission immediately after knowledge that the mixture has occurred.

In case the distributor of gasoline or other person elects to ship the mixture to a barge or pipeline terminal for storage within this state, the commission shall supervise the unloading of the mixture.

In order to perfect a claim for credit for the tax on the gasoline and special fuel constituting any such mixture, the distributor of gasoline or other person making the claim shall do so in writing and shall furnish proof satisfactory to the commission that the mixture was either shipped out of this state or to a refinery or other approved place of storage within this state. The commission shall notify the claimant, in writing, whether or not his claim is approved, and, if approved, the claimant may deduct the amount of the claim from his next tax report. No such claim shall be allowed unless filed within three (3) years after the date of such accidental mixture. Bonded distributors of gasoline having no gasoline tax liability with the commission may assign such tax credit to a bonded distributor of gasoline having such tax liability.

No tax liability shall accrue against the operator of a refinery when shipments of gasoline are made from such refinery, either by common carrier or by tank trucks owned and operated by the operator of said refinery, to a tax-exempt account within this state or to another refinery within this state.

Provided, however, that when gasoline is withdrawn from the storage tank of a refiner or processor on which the tax is paid on such gasoline and it or any part thereof cannot be delivered to a purchaser, said refiner or processor may deduct the tax on all or that portion of such gasoline not delivered to a purchaser from its next gasoline distributor's tax report; provided that such refiner or processor submits with such tax report: (1) a written report setting forth the reasons why such delivery could not be made, and (2) proof or evidence satisfactory to the commission that the tax in question had theretofore been paid to the commission, and (3) proof or evidence satisfactory to the commission that the nondelivered gasoline was actually returned to the refinery or processor from which it was taken for the purpose of delivering it to a purchaser; and provided further, that immediately upon ascertainment by the refiner or processor that said gasoline cannot be delivered, he or it shall immediately notify the commission of this fact and before moving his or its truck or other means of transporting said gasoline from the intended point of delivery; and should the commission desire to inspect said truck, or other means of conveyance, such refiner or processor shall arrange for such inspection at the point or at such other point that may be designated by the commission.

The United States Government, the State of Mississippi, counties, municipalities, school districts and all other political subdivisions of the state shall be exempt from Five and Four-tenths Cents (5.4¢) of the portion of the gasoline excise tax rate which exceeds Nine Cents (9¢) per gallon. Any exemption provided in this paragraph may be deducted without the prior approval of the commission.

SECTION 39. Section 27-61-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-61-3. When used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed to them hereby, except where the context clearly describes and indicates a different meaning:

(a) Person: Any individual, firm, copartnership, joint venture, association, corporation, estate, trust, or any other group or combination acting as a unit and the plural as well as the singular number unless the intention to give a more limited meaning is disclosed by the context.

(b) Motor vehicle: A motor vehicle used, designed or maintained for transportation of persons or property and (i) having two (2) axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds; (ii) having three (3) or more axles, regardless of weight; or being used in combination when the gross vehicle weight of such combination exceeds twenty-six thousand (26,000) pounds. The term "motor vehicle" does not include recreational vehicles.

(c) Fuel: Any product which is used, or is capable of being used, for the generation of power for the operation of a motor vehicle.

(d) Commission: The State Tax Commission, either acting directly or through its duly authorized officers, agents and employees.

(e) Owner: A person who holds the legal title of a motor vehicle, or in the event a motor vehicle is the subject of an agreement for the conditional sale, lease or transfer of the possession, howsoever, thereof, with the right of purchase upon performance of conditions stated in the agreement, and with an immediate right of possession vested in the conditional vendee, lessee, possessor, or in the event such or similar transaction is had by means of a mortgage and the mortgagor of a motor vehicle is entitled to possession, then such conditional vendee, lessee, possessor or mortgagor shall be deemed the owner for the purposes of this chapter.

(f) Highway: The entire width between boundary lines of every way in the state that is publicly maintained or any part of which is publicly maintained and is open or is to be opened to use by the public for the purpose of vehicular travel, including all streets and alleys in cities and towns.

(g) Operator: Any person, partnership, joint-stock company or corporation operating on the public highways of this state one or more motor vehicles as the beneficial owner or lessee.

(h) Driver: Any person actually in control of, driving or operating a motor vehicle at any given time.

(i) The terms "gross weight," "common carrier by motor vehicle," "contract carrier by motor vehicle," "private commercial carrier of property by motor vehicle," "private commercial carrier of passengers by motor vehicle," and "private carrier of property" shall, respectively, have the meaning ascribed to them in Sections 27-19-1 through 27-19-167, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(j) Retail dealer: Any person not licensed as a distributor who sells gasoline, special fuel, diesel fuel or compressed gas.

(k) Motor carrier: Any person operating a motor vehicle, as defined in this section, on the highways of this state.

(l) "Recreational vehicle" means vehicles such as motor homes, pickup trucks with attached campers, and buses when used exclusively for personal pleasure by an individual. In order to qualify as a recreational vehicle, the vehicle shall not be used in connection with any business endeavor.

SECTION 40. Section 27-61-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-61-5. There is hereby levied and imposed, a privilege tax as reasonable compensation for the use of the highways of this state, in addition to all other taxes which may be levied for such purpose, as follows: upon each owner or operator of a common carrier by motor vehicle, contract carrier by motor vehicle, private commercial carrier of property by motor vehicle, common carriers of passengers, contract carriers of passengers, private carrier of passengers by motor vehicle, and private carrier of property, when any of such carriers operate a motor vehicle or motor vehicles that cross the boundary line of the State of Mississippi, a privilege tax equal to and computed at the prevailing excise tax rates for gasoline, special fuel, diesel fuel * * * and compressed gas for highway use on all such fuel used in operating any motor vehicle in this state. The operator of any motor vehicle or motor vehicles which are so equipped that more than one (1) kind of motor fuel can be used shall be liable for the tax at the highest prevailing tax rate of the kinds of motor fuel so used within this state, with no credit allowed for the purchase of fuel with the lesser tax rate.

SECTION 41. Section 27-61-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-61-11. The permittee shall file a quarterly fuel use report for the preceding calendar quarter on or before the last day of the month following each calendar quarter on forms to be prescribed by the commission, or the carriers may, with the approval of the commission, furnish the required information on machine-prepared schedules. Said report shall show any information required by the commission for the administration of this chapter. Such report must be filed even though it may reflect no Mississippi miles for the quarter or accounting period. At the time of filing of each quarterly report, each permittee shall pay to the commission the full amount of the tax due on all fuel used by him in this state at the rate provided for in paragraph (a) of Section 27-61-5 of this chapter. The permittee in determining the fuel used by him in this state for said period may, as to each type of fuel used, determine his average number of miles of motor vehicle travel for a gallon of fuel by the use of the following formula: There shall first be determined the total miles traveled by all motor vehicles operated by permittee using a particular type of fuel; there shall then be determined the total number of gallons of such fuel consumed; the total number of gallons of such fuel consumed shall then be divided into the total number of miles traveled to determine the average number of miles of motor vehicle travel per gallon of fuel used. Proper records supporting these computations shall be maintained for a period of not less than three (3) years and shall be available to the inspection and audit of the commission. Permittee may, however, use any standards established by the commission in determining the motor vehicle travel per gallon of fuel consumed as to any particular type fuel. The permittee, in computing the amount of tax due, may take credit for all payments of the taxes levied in Sections 27-55-11 * * * and 27-59-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session.

All administrative provisions of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law, including those which fix damages, penalties and interest for nonpayment of taxes, failure to file returns, and for other noncompliance with the provisions of said chapter, and all other requirements and duties imposed upon taxpayers, shall apply to all persons liable for taxes under the provisions of this chapter, and the commission shall exercise all the power and authority and perform all the duties with respect to taxpayers under this chapter as are provided in said Sales Tax Law, except that in cases of conflict, then the provisions of this chapter shall control.

In the event that any taxes or penalties imposed by this chapter have been erroneously or illegally collected from a distributor, user or other person, the commission may permit such distributor, user or other person to take credit against a subsequent tax report for the amount of the erroneous overpayment, or the amount thereof may be refunded to the distributor or other person in the same manner as provided in Section 27-55-19. Provided, however, in cases where the approved claim exceeds Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), the claimant may not take credit on his tax reports for more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) per quarter until such approved amount is depleted.

No refunds shall be made under the provisions of this section unless a written claim is filed setting forth the circumstances by reason of which such refund should be allowed. Said claim shall be in such form as the commission shall prescribe, and shall be filed with the commission within three (3) years from the date of payment of the taxes erroneously or illegally collected. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a refund or credit for tax paid on fuel tax reports not subject to tax or which is exempt from tax, provided there has not been a willful disregard of the provisions of this chapter and further provided that the claim therefor is filed within three (3) years.

SECTION 42. Section 27-61-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-61-12. The payment of taxes levied in Sections 27-55-11 * * * and 27-59-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, and Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, on gasoline, special fuel, diesel fuel and compressed gas purchased in bulk quantities from a distributor shall be evidenced by invoices showing the quantity of fuel purchased, the type of fuel, the tax rate, the date of the purchase, the purchaser's name and address, and any other information the commission deems necessary for the administration of this chapter. The person withdrawing fuel from bulk storage facilities shall maintain the following records for each withdrawal.

(a) The date the fuel is withdrawn.

(b) The number of gallons.

(c) The fuel type.

(d) The company unit number, or the motor vehicle license plate number and state.

The payment of the aforesaid taxes on gasoline, special fuel, diesel fuel and compressed gas purchased from a distributor or retail dealer and placed in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle shall be evidenced by invoices showing:

(a) The date of sale.

(b) The name and station address of the vendor (printed or with credit card imprint).

(c) The name and address of the purchaser or permittee.

(d) The number of gallons sold.

(e) The signature of the purchaser.

(f) The company unit number, or the motor vehicle license plate number and state.

The invoice must be in triplicate except in cases of credit card purchases. Invoices omitting any of the aforesaid items are not acceptable as proof of purchasing fuel in this state.

When the sale of fuel is through an automated method whereby the purchase is automatically applied to the purchaser's account and a single invoice is issued for multiple purchases, such invoice is acceptable as proof of purchasing fuel in this state.

In cases of a lessee/lessor agreement, invoices will be accepted in either name, provided a legal connection can be made to the reporting party. When the lessor is the reporting party and the lessee is fueling the motor vehicle from his own tax-paid bulk storage facility, the lessee must furnish the following documentation for each instance tax-paid fuel is placed in the motor vehicle:

(a) The date the fuel was withdrawn from the bulk storage facility.

(b) The number of gallons.

(c) The fuel type.

(d) The company unit number, or the motor vehicle license plate number and state.

The commission is hereby authorized and empowered to change, by regulation, the requirements, contents and specifications of the aforesaid invoices when such change is deemed necessary for the administration of this chapter or to achieve uniformity among the states with respect to fuel purchase invoices.

SECTION 43. Section 49-17-403, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-17-403. For the purposes of Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning ascribed in this section:

(a) "Active site" means a site of an underground storage tank where an owner can be identified and where the tank is in use for management and handling of motor fuels.

(b) "Bonded distributor" means any person holding a distributor's permit issued under either Section 27-55-7 * * * or Section 4 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session.

(c) "Commission" means the Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality.

(d) "Contamination" means the presence or discharge of regulated substances in or on the land or in the waters of the state.

(e) "Department" means the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

(f) "Director" means the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

(g) "Groundwater" means water located beneath the land surface located wholly or partially within the boundaries of the state.

(h) "Motor fuels" means gasoline and aviation gasoline as defined in Section 27-55-5 * * * and special fuel as defined in Section 3 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, except for those "motor fuels" used in electric power generating plants for the commercial production of electricity.

(i) "Operator" means any person in control of, or having responsibility for, the daily operation of an underground storage tank.

(j) "Owner of an underground storage tank" means:

(i) In the case of an underground storage tank in use on November 8, 1984, or brought into use after that date, any person who owns an underground storage tank used for the storage, use or dispensing of regulated substances; and

(ii) In the case of an underground storage tank in use before November 8, 1984, but no longer in use on that date, any person who owned such tank immediately before the discontinuation of its use.

(k) "Person" means an individual, trust, firm, joint-stock company, federal agency, corporation, state municipality, commission, political subdivision of a state, any interstate body, a consortium, a joint venture, a commercial entity or the United States Government.

(l) "Regulated substance" means:

(i) Any substance defined in Section 101(14) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, Public Law No. 96-510, as amended and extended (but not including any substance regulated as a hazardous waste under Section 17-17-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972); and

(ii) Petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof, which is liquid at standard conditions of temperature and pressure (sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit and fourteen and seven-tenths (14-7/10) pounds per square inch absolute).

(m) "Release" means any spilling, leaking, emitting, discharging, escaping, leaching or disposing from an underground storage tank into groundwater, surface water or subsurface soils.

(n) "Response action" means any activity, including evaluation, planning, design, engineering, construction and ancillary services, which is carried out in response to any discharge, release or threatened release of motor fuels.

(o) "Response action contractor" means a person who has been approved by the commission and is carrying out any response action, including a person retained or hired by such person to provide services relating to a response action.

(p) "Retailer" means any person other than a bonded distributor who sells motor fuel as defined in this section.

(q) "Substantial compliance" means that an owner or operator of an underground storage tank has registered that tank with the department, and has made a good-faith effort to comply with the law; and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(r) "Third-party claim" means any civil action brought or asserted by any person against any owner of any underground storage tank for damages to person or property which damages are the direct result of a release of motor fuels from an underground storage tank.

(s) "Underground storage tank" means any one or combination of containers including tanks, vessels, enclosures or structures together with appurtenances thereto used to contain an accumulation of regulated substances, and the volume of which, including the volume of the underground pipes connected thereto, is ten percent (10%) or more beneath the surface of the ground. Such term does not include any:

(i) Farm or residential tanks of one thousand one hundred (1,100) gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes;

(ii) Tanks used for storing heating oil for consumptive use on the premises where stored;

(iii) Septic tanks;

(iv) Pipeline facilities (including gathering lines regulated under:

1. The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, Public Law No. 90-481, 49 USCS 1671-1684, as amended and extended,

2. The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, Public Law No. 96-129, 49 USCS 2001 et seq., as amended and extended, or

3. An intrastate pipeline facility regulated under state laws comparable to the provisions of law in Clause 1 or 2 of this subparagraph);

(v) Surface impoundments, pits, ponds or lagoons;

(vi) Storm water or wastewater collection systems;

(vii) Flow-through process tanks;

(viii) Liquid traps or associated gathering lines directly related to oil or gas production and gathering operation;

(ix) Storage tanks situated in an underground area such as a basement, cellar, mine working, drift, shaft or tunnel if the storage tank is situated upon or above the surface of the floor;

(x) Other tanks exempted by the Administrator of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency; and

(xi) Piping connected to any of the above exemptions.

(t) "User" means any person who purchases or acquires motor fuels as defined in this section for consumption.

SECTION 44. Section 49-17-407, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-17-407. (1) (a) An environmental protection fee of Four-tenths of One Cent (4/10 of 1¢) per gallon is hereby levied upon any bonded distributor, as defined by Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-433, who sells or delivers motor fuels to a retailer or user in this state.

(b) Every person, other than a bonded distributor, who shall purchase or acquire motor fuels within this state on which the environmental protection fee has not accrued, shall be liable for the environmental protection fee.

(c) The environmental protection fee shall be imposed only one (1) time on motor fuels sold in the state.

(d) The environmental protection fee shall be collected by the State Tax Commission and shall be designated separately from the excise taxes on fuels.

(e) Any person liable for the environmental protection fee shall be subject to the same requirements and penalties as distributors under the provisions of the Mississippi Special Fuel Tax Law.

(f) Any person liable for the environmental protection fee shall file a report and remit any fees due at the same time provided for filing reports under Section 12 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, on forms prescribed by the State Tax Commission.

(g) The State Tax Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to promulgate all rules and regulations necessary for the administration of the environmental protection fee.

(2) (a) On or before the fifteenth day of each month the environmental protection fees collected during the previous month shall be deposited into the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund established in Section 49-17-405. When the unobligated balance in the fund reaches or exceeds Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00), the administrator of the fund shall notify in writing the State Tax Commission no later than the twenty-fifth day of the month to abate the environmental protection fee. The abatement shall become effective on the last day of the month succeeding the month in which such notice was given. All environmental protection fees accrued shall be reported and paid.

(b) When the fund balance is reduced below Six Million Dollars ($6,000,000.00), the fee shall again be imposed at the rate of Four-tenths of One Cent (4/10 of 1¢) per gallon until such time as the fund shall reach or exceed Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00). The administrator of the fund shall notify, no later than the twenty-fifth day of the month, the State Tax Commission to reimpose the environmental protection fee. The imposition of the fee shall become effective on the first day of the second month succeeding the month in which the notice to reimpose the fee was given.

(3) This fund shall be used for the purposes set forth in Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 and for no other governmental purposes, nor shall any portion hereof ever be available to borrow from by any branch of government; it being the intent of the Legislature that this fund and its increments shall remain intact and inviolate. Any interest earned on monies in this fund shall remain in this fund.

(4) Monies held in the fund established under Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall be used only at an active site and shall be disbursed in accordance with the commission requirements and as follows:

(a) Payments shall be made to any third party who brings a third-party claim against any owner of an underground storage tank and the commission as trustee of the Mississippi Groundwater Protection Trust Fund and who obtains a final judgment in such action which is valid and enforceable in this state against such parties. Payment shall be paid to the third party upon filing by such party an application with the department attaching the original or a certified copy of the final judgment.

(b) Payments shall be made in reasonable amounts to approved response action contractors and other parties involved in the site study and cleanup. Payment shall be made to the party incurring the costs by filing of a sworn application with the department indicating the fair and reasonable value of the costs of site rehabilitation, subject to the regulations and limitations as set by the department.

(5) Payments from the fund are limited as follows:

(a) For cleanup purposes, a maximum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) may be disbursed from the fund for any one (1) site, per confirmed release occurrence.

(b) For third-party judgments, a maximum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) may be disbursed from the fund for any one (1) site, per confirmed release occurrence.

(c) Nothing in Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall establish or create any liability or responsibility on the part of the department or the State of Mississippi to pay any cleanup costs or third-party claims if the fund created herein is insufficient to do so.

(6) Monies held in the fund established under Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall not be used for purchases of equipment needed to assist in cleanup operations.

(7) Nothing in Sections 49-17-401 through 49-17-435 shall serve to limit any recovery against an owner of an underground storage tank in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(8) Substantial compliance shall in no way be construed to be an absolute defense to civil liability.

(9) This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 1999.

SECTION 45. Section 65-1-8, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-1-8. (1) The Mississippi Transportation Commission shall have the following general powers, duties and responsibilities:

(a) To coordinate and develop a comprehensive, balanced transportation policy for the State of Mississippi;

(b) To promote the coordinated and efficient use of all available and future modes of transportation;

(c) To make recommendations to the Legislature regarding alterations or modifications in any existing transportation policies;

(d) To study means of encouraging travel and transportation of goods by the combination of motor vehicle and other modes of transportation;

(e) To take such actions as are necessary and proper to discharge its duties pursuant to the provisions of Laws, 1992, Chapter 496, and any other provision of law;

(f) To receive and provide for the expenditure of any funds made available to it by the Legislature, the federal government, or any other source.

(2) In addition to the general powers, duties and responsibilities listed in subsection (1) of this section, the Mississippi Transportation Commission shall have the following specific powers:

(a) To make rules and regulations whereby the transportation department shall change or relocate any and all highways herein or hereafter fixed as constituting a part of the state highway system, as may be deemed necessary or economical in the construction or maintenance thereof; to acquire by gift, purchase, condemnation, or otherwise, land or other property whatsoever that may be necessary for a state highway system as herein provided, with full consideration to be given to the stimulation of local public and private investment when acquiring such property in the vicinity of Mississippi towns, cities and population centers;

(b) To enforce by mandamus, or other proper legal remedies, all legal rights or rights of action of the Mississippi Transportation Commission with other public bodies, corporations or persons;

(c) To make and publish rules, regulations and ordinances for the control of and the policing of the traffic on the state highways, and to prevent their abuse by any or all persons, natural or artificial, by trucks, tractors, trailers or any other heavy or destructive vehicles or machines, or by any other means whatsoever, by establishing weights of loads or of vehicles, types of tires, width of tire surfaces, length and width of vehicles, with reasonable variations to meet approximate weather conditions, and all other proper police and protective regulations, and to provide ample means for the enforcement of same. The violation of any of the rules, regulations or ordinances so prescribed by the commission shall constitute a misdemeanor. No rule, regulation or ordinance shall be made that conflicts with any statute now in force or which may hereafter be enacted, or with any ordinance of municipalities. A monthly publication giving general information to the boards of supervisors, employees and the public may be issued under such rules and regulations as the commission may determine;

(d) To give suitable numbers to highways and to change the number of any highway that shall become a part of the state highway system. However, nothing herein shall authorize the number of any highway to be changed so as to conflict with any designation thereof as a U.S. numbered highway. Where, by a specific act of the Legislature, the commission has been directed to give a certain number to a highway, the commission shall not have the authority to change such number;

(e) To make proper and reasonable rules, regulations, and ordinances for the placing, erection, removal or relocation of telephone, telegraph or other poles, signboards, fences, gas, water, sewerage, oil or other pipelines, and other obstructions that may, in the opinion of the commission, contribute to the hazards upon any of the state highways, or in any way interfere with the ordinary travel upon such highways, or the construction, reconstruction or maintenance thereof, and to make reasonable rules and regulations for the proper control thereof. Any violation of such rules or regulations or noncompliance with such ordinances shall constitute a misdemeanor.

Whenever the order of the commission shall require the removal of, or other changes in the location of telephone, telegraph, or other poles, signboards, gas, water, sewerage, oil or other pipelines; or other similar obstructions on the right-of-way or such other places where removal is required by law, the owners thereof shall at their own expense move or change the same to conform to the order of the commission. Any violation of such rules or regulations or noncompliance with such orders shall constitute a misdemeanor;

(f) To regulate and abandon grade crossings on any road fixed as a part of the state highway system, and whenever the commission, in order to avoid a grade crossing with the railroad, locates or constructs said road on one side of the railroad, the commission shall have the power to abandon and close such grade crossing, and whenever an underpass or overhead bridge is substituted for a grade crossing, the commission shall have power to abandon such grade crossing and any other crossing adjacent thereto. Included in the powers herein granted shall be the power to require the railroad at grade crossings, where any road of the state highway system crosses the same, to place signal posts with lights or other warning devices at such crossings at the expense of the railroad, and to regulate and abandon underpass or overhead bridges and, where abandoned because of the construction of a new underpass or overhead bridge, to close such old underpass or overhead bridge, or, in its discretion, to return the same to the jurisdiction of the county board of supervisors;

(g) To make proper and reasonable rules and regulations to control the cutting or opening of the road surfaces for subsurface installations;

(h) To make proper and reasonable rules and regulations for the removal from the public rights-of-way of any form of obstruction, to cooperate in improving their appearance, and to prescribe minimum clearance heights for seed conveyors, pipes, passageways or other structure of private or other ownership above the highways;

(i) To establish, and have the transportation department maintain and operate, and to cooperate with the state educational institutions in establishing, enlarging, maintaining and operating a laboratory or laboratories for testing materials and for other proper highway purposes;

(j) To provide, under the direction and with the approval of the Department of Finance and Administration, suitable offices, shops and barns in the City of Jackson;

(k) To establish and have enforced set-back regulations;

(l) To cooperate with proper state authorities in producing limerock for highway purposes and to purchase same at cost;

(m) To provide for the purchase of necessary equipment and vehicles and to provide for the repair and housing of same, to acquire by gift, purchase, condemnation or otherwise, land or lands and buildings in fee simple, and to authorize the transportation department to construct, lease or otherwise provide necessary and proper permanent district offices for the construction and maintenance divisions of the department, and for the repair and housing of the equipment and vehicles of the department; however, in each Supreme Court district only two (2) permanent district offices shall be set up, but a permanent status shall not be given to any such offices until so provided by act of the Legislature and in the meantime, all shops of the department shall be retained at their present location. As many local or subdistrict offices, shops or barns may be provided as is essential and proper to economical maintenance of the state highway system;

(n) To cooperate with the Department of Archives and History in having placed and maintained suitable historical markers, including those which have been approved and purchased by the State Historical Commission, along state highways, and to have constructed and maintained roadside driveways for convenience and safety in viewing them when necessary; however, no highway or bridge shall ever be memorialized to a man while living;

(o) To cooperate, in its discretion, with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in planning and constructing roadside parks upon the right-of-way of state highways, whether constructed, under construction, or planned; said parks to utilize where practical barrow pits used in construction of state highways for use as fishing ponds. Said parks shall be named for abundant flora and fauna existing in the area or for the first flora or fauna found on the site;

(p) Unless otherwise prohibited by law, to make such contracts and execute such instruments containing such reasonable and necessary appropriate terms, provisions and conditions as in its absolute discretion it may deem necessary, proper or advisable, for the purpose of obtaining or securing financial assistance, grants or loans from the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, including contracts with several counties of the state pertaining to the expenditure of such funds;

(q) To cooperate with the Federal Highway Administration in the matter of location, construction and maintenance of the Great River Road, to expend such funds paid to the commission by the Federal Highway Administration or other federal agency, and to authorize the transportation department to erect suitable signs marking this highway, the cost of such signs to be paid from state highway funds other than earmarked construction funds;

(r) To cooperate, in its discretion, with the Mississippi Forestry Commission and the School of Forestry, Mississippi State University, in a forestry management program, including planting, thinning, cutting and selling, upon the right-of-way of any highway, constructed, acquired or maintained by the transportation department, and to sell and dispose of any and all growing timber standing, lying or being on any right-of-way acquired by the commission for highway purposes in the future; such sale or sales to be made in accordance with the sale of personal property which has become unnecessary for public use as provided for in Section 65-1-123, Mississippi Code of 1972;

(s) To expend funds in cooperation with the Division of Plant Industry, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, the United States Government or any department or agency thereof, or with any department or agency of this state, to control, suppress or eradicate serious insect pests, rodents, plant parasites and plant diseases on the state highway rights-of-way;

(t) To provide for the placement, erection and maintenance of motorist services business signs and supports within state highway rights-of-way in accordance with current state and federal laws and regulations governing the placement of traffic control devices on state highways, and to establish and collect reasonable fees from the businesses having information on such signs;

(u) To request and to accept the use of persons convicted of an offense, whether a felony or a misdemeanor, for work on any road construction, repair or other project of the transportation department. The commission is also authorized to request and to accept the use of persons who have not been convicted of an offense but who are required to fulfill certain court-imposed conditions pursuant to Section 41-29-150(d)(1) or 99-15-26, Mississippi Code of 1972, or the Pretrial Intervention Act, being Sections 99-15-101 through 99-15-127, Mississippi Code of 1972. The commission is authorized to enter into any agreements with the Department of Corrections, the State Parole Board, any criminal court of this state, and any other proper official regarding the working, guarding, safekeeping, clothing and subsistence of such persons performing work for the transportation department. Such persons shall not be deemed agents, employees or involuntary servants of the transportation department while performing such work or while going to and from work or other specified areas;

(v) To provide for the administration of the railroad revitalization program pursuant to Section 57-43-1 et seq.;

(w) The Mississippi Transportation Commission is further authorized, in its discretion, to expend funds for the purchase of service pins for employees of the Mississippi Transportation Department;

(x) To cooperate with the State Tax Commission by providing for weight enforcement field personnel to collect and assess taxes, fees and penalties and to perform all duties as required pursuant to Sections 1 through 34 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, Sections 27-19-1 et seq., 27-55-1 et seq., * * * 27-59-1 et seq. and 27-61-1 et seq., Mississippi Code of 1972, with regard to vehicles subject to the jurisdiction of the Office of Weight Enforcement. All collections and assessments shall be transferred daily to the State Tax Commission;

(y) The Mississippi Transportation Commission may delegate the authority to enter into a supplemental agreement to a contract previously approved by the commission if the supplemental agreement involves an additional expenditure not to exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00).

SECTION 46. Section 65-39-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

65-39-35. The date upon which the taxes and fees levied and charged under the provisions of Sections 27-55-11, * * * 27-57-37, 27-59-11, 27-19-43, 27-19-309, 27-65-75 and Sections 10 and 11 of House Bill No. 1576, 1999 Regular Session, are reduced under such sections shall be the first day of the month immediately following the date upon which:

(a) The Mississippi Transportation Commission certifies to the State Tax Commission that:

(i) The Four-Lane Highway Program created under Section 65-3-97 and the Gaming Counties Infrastructure Program created under Section 65-39-3, are completed and no funds are any longer necessary to pay the costs of such programs; and

(ii) The Mississippi Transportation Commission will not declare the necessity for additional borrowings under Section 65-9-27, or for additional bonds under Sections 65-39-5 through 65-39-33; and

(b) The State Treasurer certifies:

(i) That the amount on deposit in the Gaming Counties Bond Sinking Fund, together with earnings on investments to accrue to such fund, is equal to or greater than the aggregate of the entire principal, redemption premium (if any), and interest due and to become due (until the final maturity date or earlier scheduled redemption date) on all general obligation bonds issued under Sections 65-39-5 through 65-39-33; and

(ii) That all principal, interest, cost and other expenses for all bonds, notes or other borrowings under Section 65-9-27 (including redemption notes, if any) have been paid and are completely satisfied.

SECTION 47. Sections 27-55-301, 27-55-303, 27-55-305, 27-55-307, 27-55-309, 27-55-313, 27-55-315, 27-55-319, 27-55-323, 27-55-327, 27-55-329, 27-55-331, 27-55-335, 27-55-337, 27-55-339, 27-55-341, 27-55-343, 27-55-345, 27-55-347, 27-55-351, 27-55-355, 27-55-359 and 27-55-361, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provide for the taxation of other motor fuels, are repealed.

SECTION 48. Section 25-55-401, Mississippi Code of 1972, which applies certain tax increases to fuels held in storage, is repealed.

SECTION 49. Sections 27-57-301, 27-57-303, 27-57-305, 27-57-307, 27-57-309, 27-57-313, 27-57-315, 27-57-317, 27-57-319, 27-57-327, 27-57-329, 27-57-331, 27-57-333, 27-57-334, 27-57-337, 27-57-339, 27-57-341, 27-57-343, 27-57-345, 27-57-347, 27-57-349, 27-57-351, 27-57-353, 27-57-357, 27-57-361, 27-57-363, 27-57-367, 27-57-369 and 27-57-371, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provide for the taxation of other oils, are repealed.

SECTION 50. Nothing in this act shall affect or defeat any claim, assessment, appeal, suit, right or cause of action for taxes due or accrued under Title 27, Chapter 55, 57 or 61, Mississippi Code of 1972, prior to July 1, 1999, whether such assessments, appeals, suits, claims or actions shall have been begun before July 1, 1999, or shall thereafter be begun; and the provisions of the aforesaid laws and amendments thereto are expressly continued in full force, effect and operation for the purpose of the assessment, collection and enrollment of liens for any taxes due or accrued and the executing of any warrant thereunder prior to July 1, 1999, or for the filing of reports, and for the imposition of any penalties, forfeitures or claims for failure to comply therewith.

SECTION 51. Section 36 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after September 1, 1999. The remainder of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.