House Bill 192

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-53, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN LICENSE PLATES FOR DISABLED VETERANS FROM ONE HUNDRED PERCENT PERMANENT SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY TO SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT PERMANENT SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-19-53, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-53. (1) (a) (i) Any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who is a veteran of service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and who is rated as having * * *~~one hundred percent (100%)~~ seventy-five percent (75%) permanent service-connected disability by the Veterans' Administration is privileged to purchase annually under this subsection two (2) motor vehicle license plates or tags in his or her county of legal residence, for the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) in total cost for each plate or tag, regardless of make or model of motor vehicle. The registration year of such motor vehicle shall commence the first day of the month in which application for registration is made, as provided in Section 27-19-31.

(ii) Any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who is a veteran of service in the Armed Forces of the United States, and who is rated as having * * *~~one hundred percent (100%)~~ seventy-five percent (75%) permanent service-connected disability by the Veterans' Administration is privileged to purchase annually under this subsection one (1) motorcycle license plate or tag in his or her county of legal residence, for the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) in total cost for each plate or tag. The registration year of such motorcycle shall commence the first day of the month in which application for registration is made, as provided in Section 27-19-31.

(ab) Not more than two (2) such motor vehicle license plates or tags shall be issued under this subsection to each such qualified veteran. Not more than one (1) such motorcycle license plate or tag shall be issued under this subsection to each such qualified veteran.

(bc) This section pertains only to taxes or plates for private passenger motor vehicles or pickup trucks or motorcycles.

(cd) Proof of ownership of a particular motor vehicle or motorcycle for which a license plate or tag is requested must be shown at time of application for such plate or tag.

(de) Vehicles and motorcycles owned by such veterans are exempt under this subsection from all ad valorem and privilege taxes; however, the surviving spouse of a deceased person who was issued a license plate or tag under this subsection shall be entitled to apply for or retain a license tag issued under this subsection and may continue annually to renew registration for two (2) motor vehicle license plates or tags and one (1) motorcycle license plate or tag under this subsection for as long as the spouse remains unmarried. In addition, if a deceased person who was eligible to be issued a license plate or tag under this subsection did not apply for or was not issued a license plate or tag, the surviving spouse of such deceased person shall be entitled to apply for and be issued a license plate or tag under this subsection and may continue annually to renew registration for two (2) motor vehicle license plates or tags and one (1) motorcycle license tag or plate under this subsection for as long as the spouse remains unmarried. At the time of application or renewal registration, a surviving spouse who desires to retain a distinctive plate or tag issued under this subsection shall file with the county tax collector a sworn statement that the spouse is unmarried. Any such vehicle or motorcycle when so registered shall be exempt from all ad valorem and privilege taxes.

(2) Any person who is entitled to obtain license tags under subsection (1) of this section may be issued one (1) additional such license tag for any other vehicle registered in his or her name upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as otherwise prescribed by law for the particular vehicle.

(3) The Department of Revenue is directed to furnish each veteran obtaining a license tag under this section an emblem, which the veteran shall attach securely to the tag, showing that the tag was issued to a disabled American veteran.

(4) A license issued under this section shall not be transferable to any other person.

(5) Any person evading or violating any of the provisions of this section, or attempting to secure benefits under this section to which he is not entitled, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than ninety (90) days, or both.

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