House Bill 631

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-53, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DISABILITY RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATES AND TAGS AUTHORIZED FOR DISABLED VETERANS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.444, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; 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 * * *~~seventy‑five percent (75%)~~ one hundred percent (100%) permanent service-connected disability or at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability by the Veterans' Administration or United States Department of Veterans Affairs 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. In order for a person who is rated as having at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability to renew a license plate or tag issued under this section, the person must provide an updated benefits letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs indicating that the person's rating has not been adjusted to less than seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability.

(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 * * *~~seventy‑five percent (75%)~~ one hundred percent (100%) permanent service-connected disability or at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability by the Veterans' Administration or United States Department of Veterans Affairs 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. In order for a person who is rated as having at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability to renew a license plate or tag issued under this section, the person must provide an updated benefits letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs indicating that the person's rating has not been adjusted to less than seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability.

(b) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(6) From and after July 1, 2022, the special tag authorized under this section shall bear the name and emblem of each branch of the United States Armed Forces.

SECTION 2. Section 27-19-56.444, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.444. (1) Any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who is a veteran of service in the Armed Forces of the United States and is rated as having service-connected disability by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, but who is not rated as having one hundred percent (100%) permanent service-connected disability or at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability by such department, is privileged to obtain annually under this section a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his name upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles. The distinctive license tag so issued shall be of such color and design as the Department of Revenue may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag or plate. 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.

(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue. Proof of ownership of a particular motor vehicle for which a license tag is requested must be shown at time of application for such tag.

(3) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the regular license tag. A license tag issued under this section shall not be transferable to any other person.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.