MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2025 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Lamar, White, Steverson, Bounds, Deweese, Newman, Calvert, Smith, Keen, Massengill, Hale, Eubanks

House Bill 1

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-7-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REDUCE THE TAX ON ALL TAXABLE INCOME IN EXCESS OF $10,000.00 TO 3.75% FOR 2027, 3.5% FOR 2028, 3.25% FOR 2029, AND 3% FOR 2030 AND ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADDITIONAL REDUCTION OF THE TAX ON ALL TAXABLE INCOME IN EXCESS OF $10,000.00, BEGINNING IN 2031, WHEN THE WORKING CASH-STABILIZATION RESERVE FUND IS FULLY FUNDED, AND THE ADJUSTED GENERAL FUND REVENUE COLLECTIONS FOR A FISCAL YEAR EXCEED CERTAIN APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR BY AT LEAST 0.85% OF THE COST OF A 1% INCOME TAX REDUCTION; TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO TAX RETAIL SALES OF GROCERIES AT 5% FROM AND AFTER JULY 1, 2025; TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-241, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-67-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH REQUIRES THE IMPOSITION OF A USE TAX, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-55-11, 27-55-519 AND 27-55-521, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCREASE THE EXCISE TAXES ON GASOLINE AND CERTAIN SPECIAL FUELS TO 21¢ PER GALLON FROM JULY 1, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2026, 24¢ PER GALLON FROM JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2027, AND 27¢ PER GALLON FROM JULY 1, 2027, UNTIL THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DATE UPON WHICH THE MISSISSIPPI TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AND THE STATE TREASURER MAKE CERTAIN CERTIFICATIONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE INDEXING OF SUCH TAXES; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-55-12 AND 27-55-523, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-5-101 AND 27-65-75, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADJUST THE DISTRIBUTION OF REVENUE FROM CERTAIN GASOLINE AND SPECIAL FUEL TAXES; TO REVISE THE DISTRIBUTION OF STATE SALES TAX REVENUE COLLECTED FROM RETAIL SALES OF FOOD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION NOT PURCHASED WITH FOOD STAMPS BUT WHICH WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM SALES TAX IF PURCHASED WITH FOOD STAMPS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-67-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ADJUST THE DISTRIBUTION OF USE TAX REVENUE TO MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES FOR INFRASTRUCTURE; TO AMEND SECTION 27-67-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE MUNICIPALITIES TO EXPEND MONIES IN A SPECIAL FUND CONSISTING OF USE TAX REVENUE DISTRIBUTIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION AND/OR REHABILITATION OF BUILDINGS; TO CREATE A NEW TIER IN THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF MISSISSIPPI FOR EMPLOYEES BECOMING MEMBERS OF THE SYSTEM ON OR AFTER MARCH 1, 2026, WHICH SHALL CONSIST OF A DEFINED BENEFIT COMPONENT AND A DEFINED CONTRIBUTION COMPONENT; TO SPECIFY THAT THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION COMPONENT SHALL BE A PLAN UNDER SECTION 401(A) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE; TO PROVIDE THAT A PORTION OF THE EMPLOYEE'S CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S DEFINED CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT, AND IN ADDITION, THE EMPLOYER MAY ELECT TO CONTRIBUTE AN AMOUNT UP TO THE MAXIMUM PRETAX AMOUNT ALLOWABLE UNDER FEDERAL LAW; TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS SHALL BE VESTED IMMEDIATELY IN THE DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-103, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "AVERAGE COMPENSATION" FOR MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER TO MEAN THE AVERAGE OF THE EIGHT HIGHEST CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF EARNED COMPENSATION, OR OF THE LAST 96 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF EARNED COMPENSATION, WHICHEVER IS GREATER; TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "MEMBER" TO PROVIDE THAT, IF A PERSON WITHDRAWS FROM STATE SERVICE AND RECEIVES A REFUND BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026, AND REENTERS STATE SERVICE ON OR AFTER MARCH 1, 2026, THE MEMBER SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SYSTEM ON OR AFTER MARCH 1, 2026, AND NO PRIOR SERVICE SHALL BE CREDITED; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-109, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO LIMIT THE CIRCUMSTANCES FOR WHICH CREDITABLE SERVICE MAY BE AWARDED FOR EMPLOYEES BECOMING MEMBERS OF THE SYSTEM ON OR AFTER MARCH 1, 2026; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-111, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UPON WITHDRAWAL FROM SERVICE AT THE AGE OF 62, AND MEMBERS WHO HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST 35 YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UPON WITHDRAWAL FROM SERVICE REGARDLESS OF AGE; TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER WHO WITHDRAW FROM SERVICE BEFORE AGE 62 AND HAVE COMPLETED AT LEAST EIGHT YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP SERVICE AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REFUND OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE A RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE UPON ATTAINING THE AGE OF 62; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBER'S ANNUAL RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE FROM THE DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN SHALL CONSIST OF A MEMBER'S ANNUITY, WHICH SHALL BE EQUAL TO 1% OF THE AVERAGE COMPENSATION FOR EACH YEAR OF CREDITABLE SERVICE; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ANNUAL RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE OF A MEMBER WHO HAS ATTAINED THE AGE OF 62 BUT HAS NOT COMPLETED AT LEAST 30 YEARS OF CREDITABLE SERVICE SHALL BE REDUCED BY AN ACTUARIAL EQUIVALENT FACTOR FOR EACH YEAR OF CREDITABLE SERVICE BELOW 30 YEARS OR THE NUMBER OF YEARS IN AGE THAT THE MEMBER IS BELOW AGE 65, WHICHEVER IS LESS; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-112, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THERE SHALL BE NO ANNUAL COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE APPLICABLE TO THE NEW TIER, ALTHOUGH THE LEGISLATURE MAY PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT FOR A SPECIFIC YEAR; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-114, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT WITH RESPECT TO RETIREMENT ALLOWANCES FOR DEATH BEFORE RETIREMENT OR DEATH OR DISABILITY IN THE LINE OF DUTY; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-115, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A MEMBER IN THE NEW TIER SHALL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR A PARTIAL LUMP-SUM DISTRIBUTION; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-117, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT, FOR MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER, THE EMPLOYEE'S CONTRIBUTION SHALL BE 9% OF EARNED COMPENSATION, 4% OF WHICH SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE ANNUITY SAVINGS ACCOUNT APPLICABLE TO THE DEFINED BENEFIT PORTION OF THE RETIREMENT ALLOWANCE, WITH THE REMAINING 5% TO BE DEPOSITED INTO THE EMPLOYEE'S DEFINED CONTRIBUTION ACCOUNT; TO PROVIDE THAT, FOR MEMBERS IN THE NEW TIER, THE EMPLOYER'S CONTRIBUTION SHALL BE APPLIED TO THE SYSTEM'S ACCRUED LIABILITY CONTRIBUTION FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-305, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT MEMBERSHIP IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN SHALL APPLY ONLY TO THOSE STATE LEGISLATORS AND PRESIDENTS OF THE SENATE WHO WERE ELECTED BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026; TO PROVIDE THAT, IF A MEMBER OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT PLAN WITHDRAWS FROM STATE SERVICE AND RECEIVES A REFUND BEFORE MARCH 1, 2026, AND REENTERS STATE SERVICE ON OR AFTER MARCH 1, 2026, THE MEMBER SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE BECOME A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM ON OR AFTER MARCH 1, 2026, AND NO PRIOR SERVICE SHALL BE CREDITED; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-401, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE A MINOR TECHNICAL CHANGE; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 25-11-409, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 25-11-411, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT EACH PARTICIPANT IN THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM SHALL CONTRIBUTE MONTHLY TO THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM 9% OF THE PARTICIPANT'S TOTAL EARNED COMPENSATION; TO REALLOCATE THE EMPLOYER'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 14.9%, FOR EMPLOYEES HIRED BEFORE JULY 1, 2025, OR UP TO 9%, FOR EMPLOYEES HIRED ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 2025, OF THE PARTICIPANT'S TOTAL EARNED COMPENSATION SHALL BE APPLIED TO THE PARTICIPANT'S CONTRACTS OR ACCOUNTS; TO PROVIDE THAT UP TO 0.2% OF THE PARTICIPANT'S TOTAL EARNED COMPENSATION SHALL BE APPLIED TO THE EXPENSE FUND OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM TO DEFRAY THE COST OF ADMINISTERING THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM; TO PROVIDE THAT THE REMAINDER SHALL BE REMITTED TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM FOR APPLICATION TO THE ACCRUED LIABILITY CONTRIBUTION FUND; TO REPEAL SECTION 25-11-415, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES THAT THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM MAY DEDUCT NOT MORE THAN 2% OF ALL EMPLOYERS' CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRANSFER SUCH DEDUCTIONS TO THE EXPENSE FUND OF THE SYSTEM TO DEFRAY THE COST OF ADMINISTERING THE OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-7-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-7-5. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, there is hereby assessed and levied, to be collected and paid as hereinafter provided, for the calendar year 1983 and fiscal years ending during the calendar year 1983 and all taxable years thereafter, upon the entire net income of every resident individual, corporation, association, trust or estate, in excess of the credits provided, a tax at the following rates:

(i) 1. Through calendar year 2017, on the first Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) of taxable income, or any part thereof, the rate shall be three percent (3%);

2. For calendar year 2018, on the first One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) of taxable income there shall be no tax levied, and on the next Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) of taxable income, or any part thereof, the rate shall be three percent (3%);

3. For calendar year 2019, on the first Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) of taxable income there shall be no tax levied, and on the next Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) of taxable income, or any part thereof, the rate shall be three percent (3%);

4. For calendar year 2020, on the first Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00) of taxable income there shall be no tax levied, and on the next Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) of taxable income, or any part thereof, the rate shall be three percent (3%);

5. For calendar year 2021, on the first Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.00) of taxable income there shall be no tax levied, and on the next One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) of taxable income, or any part thereof, the rate shall be three percent (3%);

6. For calendar year 2022 and all taxable years thereafter, there shall be no tax levied on the first Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) of taxable income;

(ii) On taxable income in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) up to and including Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or any part thereof, the rate shall be four percent (4%); and

(iii) On all taxable income in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), the rate shall be five percent (5%).

(b) (i) For calendar year 2023 and all calendar years thereafter, there shall be no tax levied under subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of this subsection on the taxable income of individuals in excess of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) up to and including Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or any part thereof; and

(ii) For calendar year 2024 and all calendar years thereafter, the tax imposed under subparagraph (iii) of paragraph (a) of this subsection upon all taxable income of individuals in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), shall be at the following rates:

1. For calendar year 2024, on such taxable income, the rate shall be four and seven-tenths percent (4.7%);

2. For calendar year 2025, on such taxable income, the rate shall be four and four-tenths percent (4.4%); * * * ~~and~~

3. For calendar year 2026 * * * ~~and all calendar years thereafter~~, on such taxable income, the rate shall be four percent (4%) * * *.;

4. For calendar year 2027, on such taxable income, the rate shall be three and three-quarters percent (3.75%);

5. For calendar year 2028, on such taxable income, the rate shall be three and one-half percent (3.5%);

6. For calendar year 2029, on such taxable income, the rate shall be three and one-quarter percent (3.25%); and

7. For calendar year 2030 and all calendar years thereafter, except as otherwise provided in Section 2 of this act, on such taxable income, the rate shall be three percent (3%).

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(2) An S corporation, as defined in Section 27-8-3(1)(g), shall not be subject to the income tax imposed under this section.

(3) A like tax is hereby imposed to be assessed, collected and paid annually, except as hereinafter provided, at the rate specified in this section and as hereinafter provided, upon and with respect to the entire net income, from all property owned or sold, and from every business, trade or occupation carried on in this state by individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts or estates, not residents of the State of Mississippi.

(4) In the case of taxpayers having a fiscal year beginning in a calendar year with a rate in effect that is different than the rate in effect for the next calendar year and ending in the next calendar year, the tax due for that taxable year shall be determined by:

(a) Computing for the full fiscal year the amount of tax that would be due under the rates in effect for the calendar year in which the fiscal year begins; and

(b) Computing for the full fiscal year the amount of tax that would be due under the rates in effect for the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends; and

(c) Applying to the tax computed under paragraph (a) the ratio which the number of months falling within the earlier calendar year bears to the total number of months in the fiscal year; and

(d) Applying to the tax computed under paragraph (b) the ratio which the number of months falling within the later calendar year bears to the total number of months within the fiscal year; and

(e) Adding to the tax determined under paragraph (c) the tax determined under paragraph (d) the sum of which shall be the amount of tax due for the fiscal year.

SECTION 2. (1) As used in this section:

(a) "Adjusted General Fund Revenue Collections" means State General Fund revenue collections adjusted by removing any nonrecurring State General Fund revenue collections, which figure shall be provided annually to the commissioner by the Legislative Budget Office on or before October 1 for the prior fiscal year (beginning October 1, 2029, for fiscal year 2029 revenue collections) and presented at the next meeting of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

(b) "Appropriations" means the total amount contained in all deficit appropriations bills that are recurring expenses in State Support Funds and all General Fund appropriation bills passed into law, but not including any additional appropriations in excess of statutory required employer rate for the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi, which figure shall be provided annually to the commissioner by the Legislative Budget Office on or before October 1 for the current fiscal year (beginning October 1, 2029, for fiscal year 2030 appropriations) and presented at the next meeting of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee.

(c) "Cost of a one percent (1%) cut" means the reduction in individual income tax collections that would result from a one percent (1%) reduction in the tax on all taxable income of individuals in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), which figure shall be provided annually by the commissioner to the Legislative Budget Office on or before December 15, based on data from the prior calendar year (beginning December 15, 2029, for calendar year 2028); however, if any filing extensions were granted by the commissioner under Section 27-7-50, the commissioner shall provide the Legislative Budget Office with an updated cost of a one percent (1%) cut before the end of the next regular legislative session.

(2) For calendar year 2031 and any calendar year thereafter, if the Working Cash-Stabilization Reserve Fund is fully funded as provided in Section 27-103-213, the tax imposed under Section 27-7-5(b)(ii) on all taxable income of individuals in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) shall be reduced by a percentage as indicated below, depending on the percentage by which the Adjusted General Fund Revenue Collections for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2029) exceed the Appropriations for the following fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2030):

(a) If the excess is at least eighty-five one-hundredths percent (0.85%), but less than one percent (1%), of the cost of a one percent (1%) cut, the tax shall be reduced by two-tenths percent (0.2%);

(b) If excess is at least one percent (1%), but less than one and fifteen one-hundredths percent (1.15%), of the cost of a one percent (1%) cut, the tax shall be reduced by one-quarter percent (0.25%); and

(c) If excess is at least one and fifteen one-hundredths percent (1.15%) of the cost of a one percent (1%) cut, the tax shall be reduced by three-tenths percent (0.3%).

(3) The tax reduction provided for in this section shall be effective for the calendar year beginning after the close of the fiscal year pertaining to the Appropriations figure used in the calculation for subsection (2) of this section.

(4) When the application of the tax reduction provided for in this section results in a tax of zero percent (0%) on all taxable income of individuals in excess of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), such tax shall be eliminated.

SECTION 3. Section 27-65-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-17. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, upon every person engaging or continuing within this state in the business of selling any tangible personal property whatsoever there is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected a tax equal to seven percent (7%) of the gross proceeds of the retail sales of the business.

(b) Retail sales of farm tractors and parts and labor used to maintain and/or repair such tractors shall be taxed at the rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) when made to farmers for agricultural purposes.

(c) (i) Retail sales of farm implements sold to farmers and used directly in the production of poultry, ratite, domesticated fish as defined in Section 69-7-501, livestock, livestock products, agricultural crops or ornamental plant crops or used for other agricultural purposes, and parts and labor used to maintain and/or repair such implements, shall be taxed at the rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) when used on the farm.

(ii) The one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) rate shall also apply to all equipment used in logging, pulpwood operations or tree farming, and parts and labor used to maintain and/or repair such equipment, which is either:

1. Self-propelled, or

2. Mounted so that it is permanently attached to other equipment which is self-propelled or attached to other equipment drawn by a vehicle which is self-propelled.

In order to be eligible for the rate of tax provided for in this subparagraph (ii), such sales must be made to a professional logger. For the purposes of this subparagraph (ii), a "professional logger" is a person, corporation, limited liability company or other entity, or an agent thereof, who possesses a professional logger's permit issued by the Department of Revenue and who presents the permit to the seller at the time of purchase. The department shall establish an application process for a professional logger's permit to be issued, which shall include a requirement that the applicant submit a copy of documentation verifying that the applicant is certified according to Sustainable Forestry Initiative guidelines. Upon a determination that an applicant is a professional logger, the department shall issue the applicant a numbered professional logger's permit.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) of this section, retail sales of aircraft, automobiles, trucks, truck-tractors, semitrailers and manufactured or mobile homes shall be taxed at the rate of three percent (3%).

(e) Sales of manufacturing machinery or manufacturing machine parts when made to a manufacturer or custom processor for plant use only when the machinery and machine parts will be used exclusively and directly within this state in manufacturing a commodity for sale, rental or in processing for a fee shall be taxed at the rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%).

(f) Sales of machinery and machine parts when made to a technology intensive enterprise for plant use only when the machinery and machine parts will be used exclusively and directly within this state for industrial purposes, including, but not limited to, manufacturing or research and development activities, shall be taxed at the rate of one and one-half percent (1-1/2%). In order to be considered a technology intensive enterprise for purposes of this paragraph:

(i) The enterprise shall meet minimum criteria established by the Mississippi Development Authority;

(ii) The enterprise shall employ at least ten (10) persons in full-time jobs;

(iii) At least ten percent (10%) of the workforce in the facility operated by the enterprise shall be scientists, engineers or computer specialists;

(iv) The enterprise shall manufacture plastics, chemicals, automobiles, aircraft, computers or electronics; or shall be a research and development facility, a computer design or related facility, or a software publishing facility or other technology intensive facility or enterprise as determined by the Mississippi Development Authority;

(v) The average wage of all workers employed by the enterprise at the facility shall be at least one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the state average annual wage; and

(vi) The enterprise must provide a basic health care plan to all employees at the facility.

A medical cannabis establishment, as defined in the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act, shall not be considered to be a technology intensive enterprise for the purposes of this paragraph (f).

(g) Sales of materials for use in track and track structures to a railroad whose rates are fixed by the Interstate Commerce Commission or the Mississippi Public Service Commission shall be taxed at the rate of three percent (3%).

(h) Sales of tangible personal property to electric power associations for use in the ordinary and necessary operation of their generating or distribution systems shall be taxed at the rate of one percent (1%).

(i) Wholesale sales of food and drink for human consumption to full-service vending machine operators to be sold through vending machines located apart from and not connected with other taxable businesses shall be taxed at the rate of eight percent (8%).

(j) Sales of equipment used or designed for the purpose of assisting disabled persons, such as wheelchair equipment and lifts, that is mounted or attached to or installed on a private carrier of passengers or light carrier of property, as defined in Section 27-51-101, at the time when the private carrier of passengers or light carrier of property is sold shall be taxed at the same rate as the sale of such vehicles under this section.

(k) Sales of the factory-built components of modular homes, panelized homes and precut homes, and panel constructed homes consisting of structural insulated panels, shall be taxed at the rate of three percent (3%).

(l) Sales of materials used in the repair, renovation, addition to, expansion and/or improvement of buildings and related facilities used by a dairy producer shall be taxed at the rate of three and one-half percent (3-1/2%). For the purposes of this paragraph (l), "dairy producer" means any person engaged in the production of milk for commercial use.

(m) Sales of equipment and materials used in connection with geophysical surveying, exploring, developing, drilling, redrilling, completing, working over, producing, distributing, or testing of oil, gas and other mineral resources shall be taxed at the rate of four and one-half percent (4-1/2%). Operators that rebill sales of equipment and materials to nonoperating working interest owners on behalf of a joint account through the joint interest billing (JIB), where the sales tax has been paid or accrued by the operator shall not be charged a sales tax on the JIB as services income.

(n) Retail sales of food or drink for human consumption not purchased with food stamps issued by the United States Department of Agriculture or other federal agency, but which would be exempt under Section 27-65-111(o) from the taxes imposed by this chapter if the food items were purchased with food stamps, shall be taxed at the rate of five percent (5%) from and after July 1, 2025.

(2) From and after January 1, 1995, retail sales of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property, as defined in Section 27-51-101, shall be taxed an additional two percent (2%).

(3) A manufacturer selling at retail in this state shall be required to make returns of the gross proceeds of such sales and pay the tax imposed in this section.

SECTION 4. Section 27-65-241, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-241. (1) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section unless otherwise clearly indicated by the context in which they are used:

(a) "Hotel" or "motel" means and includes a place of lodging that at any one time will accommodate transient guests on a daily or weekly basis and that is known to the trade as such. Such terms shall not include a place of lodging with ten (10) or less rental units.

(b) "Municipality" means any municipality in the State of Mississippi with a population of one hundred fifty thousand (150,000) or more according to the most recent federal decennial census.

(c) "Restaurant" means and includes all places where prepared food is sold and whose annual gross proceeds of sales or gross income for the preceding calendar year equals or exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00). The term "restaurant" shall not include any nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For the purpose of calculating gross proceeds of sales or gross income, the sales or income of all establishments owned, operated or controlled by the same person, persons or corporation shall be aggregated.

(2) (a) Subject to the provisions of this section, the governing authorities of a municipality may impose upon all persons as a privilege for engaging or continuing in business or doing business within such municipality, a special sales tax at the rate of not more than one percent (1%) of the gross proceeds of sales or gross income of the business, as the case may be, derived from any of the activities taxed at the rate of seven percent (7%) or more under the Mississippi Sales Tax Law, Section 27-65-1 et seq.

(b) The tax levied under this section shall apply to every person making sales of tangible personal property or services within the municipality but shall not apply to:

(i) Sales exempted by Sections 27-65-19, 27-65-101, 27-65-103, 27-65-105, 27-65-107, 27-65-109 and 27-65-111 of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law;

(ii) Gross proceeds of sales or gross income of restaurants derived from the sale of food and beverages;

(iii) Gross proceeds of sales or gross income of hotels and motels derived from the sale of hotel rooms and motel rooms for lodging purposes;

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( * * *viv) Gross income of businesses engaging or continuing in the business of TV cable systems, subscription TV services, and other similar activities, including, but not limited to, cable Internet services;

( * * *viv) Wholesale sales of food and drink for human consumption sold to full service vending machine operators; and

( * * *~~vii~~vi) Wholesale sales of light wine, light spirit product, beer and alcoholic beverages.

(3) (a) Before any tax authorized under this section may be imposed, the governing authorities of the municipality shall adopt a resolution declaring its intention to levy the tax, setting forth the amount of the tax to be imposed, the purposes for which the revenue collected pursuant to the tax levy may be used and expended, the date upon which the tax shall become effective, the date upon which the tax shall be repealed, and calling for an election to be held on the question. The date of the election shall be set in the resolution. Notice of the election shall be published once each week for at least three (3) consecutive weeks in a newspaper published or having a general circulation in the municipality, with the first publication of the notice to be made not less than twenty-one (21) days before the date fixed in the resolution for the election and the last publication to be made not more than seven (7) days before the election. At the election, all qualified electors of the municipality may vote. The ballots used at the election shall have printed thereon a brief description of the sales tax, the amount of the sales tax levy, a description of the purposes for which the tax revenue may be used and expended and the words "FOR THE LOCAL SALES TAX" and "AGAINST THE LOCAL SALES TAX" and the voter shall vote by placing a cross (X) or check mark (√) opposite his choice on the proposition. When the results of the election have been canvassed by the election commissioners of the municipality and certified by them to the governing authorities, it shall be the duty of such governing authorities to determine and adjudicate whether at least three-fifths (3/5) of the qualified electors who voted in the election voted in favor of the tax. If at least three-fifths (3/5) of the qualified electors who voted in the election voted in favor of the tax, the governing authorities shall adopt a resolution declaring the levy and collection of the tax provided in this section and shall set the first day of the second month following the date of such adoption as the effective date of the tax levy. A certified copy of this resolution, together with the result of the election, shall be furnished to the Department of Revenue not less than thirty (30) days before the effective date of the levy.

(b) A municipality shall not hold more than two (2) elections under this subsection.

(4) The revenue collected pursuant to the tax levy imposed under this section may be expended to pay the cost of road and street repair, reconstruction and resurfacing projects based on traffic patterns, need and usage, and to pay the costs of water, sewer and drainage projects in accordance with a master plan adopted by the commission established pursuant to subsection (7).

(5) (a) The special sales tax authorized by this section shall be collected by the Department of Revenue, shall be accounted for separately from the amount of sales tax collected for the state in the municipality and shall be paid to the municipality. The Department of Revenue may retain one percent (1%) of the proceeds of such tax for the purpose of defraying the costs incurred by the department in the collection of the tax. Payments to the municipality shall be made by the Department of Revenue on or before the fifteenth day of the month following the month in which the tax was collected. However, if a municipality fails to comply with the audit, reporting and/or report filing requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection and does not remedy such noncompliance within thirty (30) days after receiving written notice of noncompliance, the Department of Revenue shall withhold payments otherwise payable to the municipality under this paragraph (a) until the department receives written notice that the municipality has complied with such requirements.

(b) The proceeds of the special sales tax shall be placed into a special municipal fund apart from the municipal general fund and any other funds of the municipality, and shall be expended by the municipality solely for the purposes authorized in subsection (4) of this section. The records reflecting the receipts and expenditures of the revenue from the special sales tax shall be provided in detail to the members of the commission monthly, to include the name of the vendor and the project, and the dates and amounts received and paid, and shall also be audited annually by an independent certified public accountant. The accountant shall make a report of his findings to the governing authorities of the municipality and file a copy of his report with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the commission members. The audit shall be made and completed as soon as practical after the close of the fiscal year of the municipality, and expenses of the audit shall be paid from the funds derived by the municipality pursuant to this section.

(c) Any expenditure from the special municipal fund defined in paragraph (b) above that was not for a project approved by the commission, or was in excess of the amount approved by the commission, shall be reimbursed by the city to the special fund.

(d) All provisions of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law applicable to filing of returns, discounts to the taxpayer, remittances to the Department of Revenue, enforced collection, rights of taxpayers, recovery of improper taxes, refunds of overpaid taxes or other provisions of law providing for imposition and collection of the state sales tax shall apply to the special sales tax authorized by this section, except where there is a conflict, in which case the provisions of this section shall control. Any damages, penalties or interest collected for the nonpayment of taxes imposed under this section, or for noncompliance with the provisions of this section, shall be paid to the municipality on the same basis and in the same manner as the tax proceeds. Any overpayment of tax for any reason that has been disbursed to a municipality or any payment of the tax to a municipality in error may be adjusted by the Department of Revenue on any subsequent payment to the municipality pursuant to the provisions of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law. The Department of Revenue may, from time to time, make such rules and regulations not inconsistent with this section as may be deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this section, and such rules and regulations shall have the full force and effect of law.

(6) If a municipality expands its corporate boundaries, the governing authorities of the municipality may not impose the special sales tax in the annexed area unless the tax is approved at an election conducted, as far as is practicable, in the manner provided in subsection (3) of this section, except that only qualified electors in the annexed area may vote in the election.

(7) (a) Any municipality that levies the special sales tax authorized under this section shall establish a commission as provided for in this section. Expenditures of revenue from the special sales tax authorized by this section shall be in accordance with a master plan adopted by the commission pursuant to this subsection.

(b) The commission shall be composed of ten (10) voting members who shall be known as commissioners appointed as follows:

(i) Four (4) members representing the business community in the municipality appointed by the local chamber of commerce for initial terms of one (1), two (2), four (4) and five (5) years respectively. The members appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall be persons who represent businesses located within the city limits of the municipality.

(ii) Three (3) members shall be appointed at large by the mayor of the municipality, with the advice and consent of the legislative body of the municipality, for initial terms of two (2), three (3) and four (4) years respectively. All appointments made by the mayor pursuant to this paragraph shall be residents of the municipality.

(iii) One (1) member shall be appointed at large by the Governor for an initial term of four (4) years. All appointments made by the Governor pursuant to this paragraph shall be residents of the municipality.

(iv) One (1) member shall be appointed at large by the Lieutenant Governor for an initial term of four (4) years. All appointments made by the Lieutenant Governor pursuant to this paragraph shall be residents of the municipality.

(v) One (1) member shall be appointed at large by the Speaker of the House of Representatives for a term of four (4) years. All appointments made by the Speaker of the House of Representatives pursuant to this paragraph shall be residents of the municipality.

(c) The terms of all appointments made subsequent to the initial appointment shall be made for five (5) years. Any vacancy which may occur shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and shall be made for the unexpired term.

(d) The mayor of the municipality shall designate a chairman of the commission from among the membership of the commission. The vice chairman and secretary shall be elected by the commission from among the membership of the commission for a term of two (2) years. The vice chairman and secretary may be reelected, and the chairman may be reappointed.

(e) The commissioners shall serve without compensation.

(f) Any commissioner shall be disqualified and shall be removed from office for either of the following reasons:

(i) Conviction of a felony in any state court or in federal court; or

(ii) Failure to attend three (3) consecutive meetings without just cause.

If a commissioner is removed for any of the above reasons, the vacancy shall be filled in the manner prescribed in this section and shall be made for the unexpired term.

(g) A quorum shall consist of six (6) voting members of the commission. The commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as may govern the time and place for holding meetings, regular and special.

(h) The commission shall, with input from the municipality, establish a master plan for road and street repair, reconstruction and resurfacing projects based on traffic patterns, need and usage, and for water, sewer and drainage projects. Expenditures of the revenue from the tax authorized to be imposed pursuant to this section shall be made at the discretion of the governing authorities of the municipality if the expenditures comply with the master plan. The commission shall monitor the compliance of the municipality with the master plan.

(8) The governing authorities of any municipality that levies the special sales tax authorized under this section are authorized to incur debt, including bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, for the purpose of paying the costs of road and street repair, reconstruction and resurfacing projects based on traffic patterns, need and usage, and to pay the costs of water, sewer and drainage projects in accordance with a master plan adopted by the commission established pursuant to subsection (7) of this section. Any bonds or notes issued to pay such costs may be secured by the proceeds of the special sales tax levied pursuant to this section or may be general obligations of the municipality and shall satisfy the requirements for the issuance of debt provided by Sections 21-33-313 through 21-33-323.

(9) This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2035.

SECTION 5. Section 27-67-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

27-67-5. There is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected from every person a tax for the privilege of using, storing or consuming, within this state, any tangible personal property or specified digital product possession of which is acquired in any manner.

(a) The use tax hereby imposed and levied shall be collected at the same rates as imposed under Section 27-65-20, and Sections 27-65-17, 27-65-18, 27-65-19, 27-65-24, 27-65-25 and 27-65-26 computed on the purchase or sales price, or value, as defined in this article.

(b) It shall be the duty of the tax collectors of the several counties, or the commissioner, as the case may be, to collect, remit and account for the tax on the use of all vehicles licensed or registered by the State of Mississippi for the first time, except when the Mississippi use tax was collected by an authorized out-of-state dealer at the time of purchase, or when the use thereof was exempt by Section 27-67-7. The tax collector or the commissioner shall give to the person registering the vehicle a receipt in a form prescribed and furnished by the Department of Revenue for the amount of tax collected.

The tax collector or the commissioner is expressly prohibited from issuing a license tag to any applicant without collecting the tax levied by this article, unless positive proof is filed, together with the application for the license tag, that the Mississippi tax has been paid, or that the sale was exempt by Section 27-67-7.

Persons not engaging and continuing in business so as to be registered for payment of sales and/or use tax may pay use tax due on the first use of boats, airplanes, equipment or other tangible personal property and specified digital products to county tax collectors who are hereby authorized to accept such payments on behalf of the commissioner. Receipts for all such payments shall be given to taxpayers in a form prescribed and furnished by the Department of Revenue.

County tax collectors and the commissioner shall be liable for the tax they are required hereby to collect, and taxes which are in fact collected under authority of this section; and failure to properly collect or maintain proper records shall not relieve them of liability for payment to the commissioner. Deficiencies in collection or payment shall be assessed against the tax collector or the commissioner in the same manner and subject to the same penalties and provisions for appeal as are deficiencies assessed against taxpayers.

A dealer authorized to collect and remit the tax to the Department of Revenue shall give to the purchaser a receipt for the payment of the tax, in a form prescribed and furnished by the commissioner, which shall serve as proof of payment to the tax collector of the county in which the license is to be issued.

Each tax collector of the several counties shall, on or before the twentieth day of each month, file a report with and pay to the commissioner all funds collected under the provisions of this article, less a commission of five percent (5%) which shall be retained by the tax collector as a commission for collecting such tax and be deposited in the county general fund. The report required to be filed shall cover all collections made during the calendar month next preceding the date on which the report is due and filed.

Any error in the report and remittance to the commissioner may be adjusted on a subsequent report. If the error was in the collection by the tax collector, it shall be adjusted through the tax collector with the taxpayer before credit is allowed by the commissioner.

All information relating to the collection of use tax by tax collectors and such records as the commissioner may require shall be preserved in the tax collector's office for a period of three (3) years for audit by the commissioner.

Computer software maintained on a server located outside the state and accessible for use only via the internet is not a taxable use, storage or consumption under this chapter.

SECTION 6. Section 27-55-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-55-11. Any person in business as a distributor of gasoline or who acts as a distributor of gasoline, as defined in this article, shall pay for the privilege of engaging in such business or acting as such distributor an excise tax equal to Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon through June 30, 2025, Twenty-one Cents (21¢) per gallon from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Twenty-four Cents (24¢) per gallon from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Twenty-seven Cents (27¢) per gallon from July 1, 2027, until the date specified in Section 65-39-35, and Fourteen and Four-tenths Cents (14.4¢) per gallon thereafter, on all gasoline and blend stock stored, sold, distributed, manufactured, refined, distilled, blended or compounded in this state or received in this state for sale, use on the highways, storage, distribution, or for any purpose.

Any person in business as a distributor of aviation gasoline, or who acts as a distributor of aviation gasoline, shall pay for the privilege of engaging in such business or acting as such distributor an excise tax equal to Six and Four-tenths Cents (6.4¢) per gallon on all aviation gasoline stored, sold, distributed, manufactured, refined, distilled, blended or compounded in this state or received in this state for sale, storage, distribution or for any purpose.

Beginning July 1, 2029, and on July 1 of every other year thereafter, the excise tax rate provided in this section shall be adjusted by the percentage change in the yearly average of the National Highway Construction Cost Index (NHCCI) issued by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the most recent twelve-month published period ending December 31, compared to the base year average, which is the average for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2025, and rounded to the nearest whole cent. The maximum amount of increase in the excise tax rate shall not exceed One Cent (1¢) per net gallon of gasoline or special fuel and shall take effect every other year. The Department of Revenue shall notify each terminal supplier, position holder, licensed distributors distributor, and importer of the tax rate adjustment applicable under this paragraph on or before March 1.

The excise taxes collected under this section shall be paid and distributed in accordance with Section 27-5-101.

The tax herein imposed and assessed shall be collected and paid to the State of Mississippi but once in respect to any gasoline. The basis for determining the tax liability shall be the correct invoiced gallons, adjusted to sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit at the refinery or point of origin of shipment when such shipment is made by tank car or by motor carrier. The point of origin of shipment of gasoline transported into this state by pipelines shall be deemed to be that point in this state where such gasoline is withdrawn from the pipeline for storage or distribution, and adjustment to sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit shall there be made. The basis for determining the tax liability on gasoline shipped into this state in barge cargoes and by pipeline shall be the actual number of gallons adjusted to sixty (60) degrees Fahrenheit unloaded into storage tanks or other containers in this state, such gallonage to be determined by measurement and/or gauge of storage tank or tanks or by any other method authorized by the commission. The tank or tanks into which barge cargoes of gasoline are discharged, or into which gasoline transported by pipeline is discharged, shall have correct gauge tables listing capacity, such gauge tables to be prepared by some recognized calibrating agency and to be approved by the commission.

The tax levied herein shall accrue at the time gasoline is withdrawn from a refinery in this state except when withdrawal is by pipeline, barge, ship or vessel. The refiner shall pay to the commission the tax levied herein when gasoline is sold or delivered to persons who do not hold gasoline distributor permits. The refiner shall report to the commission all sales and deliveries of gasoline to bonded distributors of gasoline. The bonded distributor of gasoline who purchases, receives or acquires gasoline from a refinery in this state shall report such gasoline and pay the tax levied herein.

Gasoline imported by common carrier shall be deemed to be received by the distributor of gasoline, and the tax levied herein shall accrue, when the car or tank truck containing such gasoline is unloaded by the carrier.

With respect to distributors or other persons who bring, ship, have transported, or have brought into this state gasoline by means other than through a common carrier, the tax accrues and the tax liability attaches on the distributor or other person for each gallon of gasoline brought into the state at the time when and at the point where such gasoline is brought into the state.

The tax levied herein shall accrue on blend stock at the time it is blended with gasoline. The blender shall pay to the commission the tax levied herein when blend stock is sold or delivered to persons who do not hold gasoline distributor permits. The blender shall report to the commission all sales and deliveries of blend stock to bonded distributors of gasoline. The bonded distributor of gasoline who purchases, receives or acquires blend stock from a blender in this state shall report blend stock and pay the tax levied herein.

SECTION 7. Section 27-55-519, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-55-519. (1) Any person engaged in business as a distributor of special fuel or who acts as a distributor of special fuel, as defined in this article, 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, Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon through June 30, 2025, Twenty-one Cents (21¢) per gallon from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Twenty-four Cents (24¢) per gallon from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Twenty-seven Cents (27¢) per gallon from July 1, 2027, until the date specified in Section 65-39-35, 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

(3) Beginning July 1, 2029, and on July 1 of every other year thereafter, the excise tax rate provided in this section shall be adjusted by the percentage change in the yearly average of the National Highway Construction Cost Index (NHCCI) issued by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the most recent twelve-month published period ending December 31, compared to the base year average, which is the average for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2025, and rounded to the nearest whole cent. The maximum amount of increase in the excise tax rate shall not exceed One Cent (1¢) per net gallon of gasoline or special fuel and shall take effect every other year. The Department of Revenue shall notify each terminal supplier, position holder, licensed distributors distributor, and importer of the tax rate adjustment applicable under this paragraph on or before March 1.

SECTION 8. Section 27-55-521, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-55-521. (1) An excise tax at the rate of Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon through June 30, 2025, Twenty-one Cents (21¢) per gallon from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Twenty-four Cents (24¢) per gallon from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Twenty-seven Cents (27¢) per gallon from July 1, 2027, until the date specified in Section 65-39-35, * * * ~~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.

(2) An excise tax at the rate of Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon through June 30, 2025, Twenty-one Cents (21¢) per gallon from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, Twenty-four Cents (24¢) per gallon from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, Twenty-seven Cents (27¢) per gallon from July 1, 2027, until the date specified in Section 65-39-35, * * * ~~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 27-55-539.

(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.

SECTION 9. 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, and volunteer fire departments chartered under the laws of the State of Mississippi as nonprofit corporations 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 27-55-519 and 27-55-521 and subject to reduction on the date specified in Section 65-39-35, 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 27-55-519, 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) The exemption provided in subsection (1) of this section for sales of gasoline, special fuel and compressed gas to volunteer fire departments shall apply only to sales of gasoline, special fuel and compressed gas for use in a vehicle owned by a volunteer fire department and used for department purposes.

(3) The exemption provided in subsection (1) of this section for sales of gasoline, special fuel and compressed gas also shall apply to sales of gasoline, special fuel and compressed gas to an entity described in Section 27-51-41(2)(u) for use in buses and other motor vehicles that are exempt from ad valorem taxation under Section 27-51-41(2)(u).

(4) 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 10. Section 27-55-523, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-55-523. For the purpose of determining the amount of his liability for the tax imposed by this article, each bonded distributor of special fuel shall, not later than the twentieth day of the month next following the month in which this article becomes effective, and not later than the twentieth day of each month thereafter, file with the department 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 article.

At the time of filing each monthly report with the department, 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 article on such special fuel.

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

Reports and payments must be filed electronically 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 filed electronically 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 department on forms prescribed by the department, or the distributor of special fuel may, with the approval of the department, 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 article, is imported, sold, delivered or exported, under conditions which will exclude such special fuel from the tax levied under this article by reasons of one or more of the exemptions provided in this article, deduction for such exempt special fuel may be taken without prior approval of the department on the monthly report of the bonded distributor of special fuel importing, selling, delivering or exporting such special fuel. Provided, however, that the department 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~~ under Sections 27-55-519 and 27-55-521 and subject to reduction on the date specified in Section 65-39-35, a deduction of Five and Three-fourths Cents (5.75¢) per gallon may be made.

SECTION 11. Section 27-5-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

[With regard to any county which is exempt from the provisions of Section 19-2-3, this section shall read 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~~ Department of Revenue as follows:

(a) (i) Except as otherwise provided in Section 31-17-127, 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~~ Department of Revenue 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~~ Department of Revenue 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~~ Department of Revenue 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, up to and including Eighteen Cents (18¢) 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 27-55-519 and 27-55-521 * * *~~, at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon~~ that exceeds Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon, up to and including Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon, from the portion of the taxes levied under Section 27-55-519, 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.

(iii) From collections derived from the portion of the gasoline excise tax that exceeds Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon, and from the portion of the special fuel tax levied under Sections 27-55-519 and 27-55-521 that exceeds Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon, and from the portion of the gasoline excise tax and the diesel excise tax in excess of Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon under Section 27-61-5, there shall be deducted:

1. Twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23.25%) of such amount to the credit of a special fund designated as the "Office of State Aid Road Construction."

2. Two and three-fourths percent (2.75%) of such amount to the Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund created in Section 65-1-901.

3. Seventy-four percent (74%) of such amount to the Mississippi Department of Transportation for constructing, maintaining or improving segments of highways and bridges under its jurisdiction, and for operational improvements on such segments, in accordance with a project schedule as reported in the three-year plan as adopted, amended by or reissued by the Mississippi Transportation Commission under Section 65-1-141.

(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 27-55-519 and 27-55-521, at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon that exceeds Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon, from the portion of the taxes levied under Section 27-55-519, 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 of Transportation 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 of Transportation, 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) Except as otherwise provided in Section 31-17-127, the remainder shall be paid by the * * * ~~State Tax Commission~~ Department of Revenue 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 of Transportation 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 of Transportation 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 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.

[With regard to any county which is required to operate on a countywide system of road administration as described in Section 19-2-3, this section shall read as follows:]

(a) (i) Except as otherwise provided in Section 31-17-127, 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~~ Department of Revenue 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~~ Department of Revenue 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~~ Department of Revenue 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 of Transportation under paragraph (c) of this section.

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."

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

1. Twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23.25%) of such amount to the credit of a special fund designated as the "Office of State Aid Road Construction."

2. Two and three-fourths percent (2.75%) of such amount to the Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund created in Section 65-1-901.

(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 27-55-519 and 27-55-521, at Eighteen Cents (18¢) per gallon, that exceeds Ten Cents (10¢) per gallon, from the portion of the taxes levied under Section 27-55-519, 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:

(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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 of Transportation 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 of Transportation 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.

SECTION 12. Section 27-65-75, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-75. On or before the fifteenth day of each month, the revenue collected under the provisions of this chapter during the preceding month shall be paid and distributed as follows:

(1) (a) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 1993, eighteen percent (18%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution to the municipality and paid to the municipal corporation. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (a), on or before August 15, 1993, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 2025, eighteen and one-half percent (18-1/2%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3), 27-65-21 and 27-65-24, on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution to the municipality and paid to the municipal corporation. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (a), on or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighteen and one-half percent (18.5%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this chapter, except that collected under Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-17(1)(n), 27-65-19(3), 27-65-21 and 27-65-24, on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution and paid to the municipal corporation. On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, twenty-five and nine-tenths percent (25.9%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under Section 27-65-17(1)(n) on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution and paid to the municipal corporation. However, in the event the State Auditor issues a certificate of noncompliance pursuant to Section 21-35-31, the department * * * ~~of Revenue~~ shall withhold ten percent (10%) of the allocations and payments to the municipality that would otherwise be payable to the municipality under this paragraph (a) until such time that the department receives written notice of the cancellation of a certificate of noncompliance from the State Auditor.

A municipal corporation, for the purpose of distributing the tax under this subsection, shall mean and include all incorporated cities, towns and villages.

Monies allocated for distribution and credited to a municipal corporation under this paragraph may be pledged as security for a loan if the distribution received by the municipal corporation is otherwise authorized or required by law to be pledged as security for such a loan.

In any county having a county seat that is not an incorporated municipality, the distribution provided under this subsection shall be made as though the county seat was an incorporated municipality; however, the distribution to the municipality shall be paid to the county treasury in which the municipality is located, and those funds shall be used for road, bridge and street construction or maintenance in the county.

(b) On or before August 15, 2006, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 2025, eighteen and one-half percent (18-1/2%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities on the campus of a state institution of higher learning or community or junior college whose campus is not located within the corporate limits of a municipality, shall be allocated for distribution to the state institution of higher learning or community or junior college and paid to the state institution of higher learning or community or junior college. On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighteen and one-half percent (18.5%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this chapter, except that collected under Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-17(1)(n), 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities on the campus of a state institution of higher learning or community or junior college whose campus is not located within the corporate limits of a municipality, shall be allocated for distribution and paid to the state institution of higher learning or community or junior college. On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, twenty-five and nine-tenths percent (25.9%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under Section 27-65-17(1)(n) on business activities on the campus of a state institution of higher learning or community or junior college whose campus is not located within the corporate limits of a municipality, shall be allocated for distribution and paid to the state institution of higher learning or community or junior college.

(c) On or before August 15, 2018, and each succeeding month thereafter until August 14, 2019, two percent (2%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3), 27-65-21 and 27-65-24, on business activities within the corporate limits of the City of Jackson, Mississippi, shall be deposited into the Capitol Complex Improvement District Project Fund created in Section 29-5-215. On or before August 15, 2019, and each succeeding month thereafter until August 14, 2020, four percent (4%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3), 27-65-21 and 27-65-24, on business activities within the corporate limits of the City of Jackson, Mississippi, shall be deposited into the Capitol Complex Improvement District Project Fund created in Section 29-5-215. On or before August 15, 2020, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2023, six percent (6%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3), 27-65-21 and 27-65-24, on business activities within the corporate limits of the City of Jackson, Mississippi, shall be deposited into the Capitol Complex Improvement District Project Fund created in Section 29-5-215. On or before August 15, 2023, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 2025, nine percent (9%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3), 27-65-21 and 27-65-24, on business activities within the corporate limits of the City of Jackson, Mississippi, shall be deposited into the Capitol Complex Improvement District Project Fund created in Section 29-5-215. On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, nine percent (9%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this chapter, except that collected under Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-17(1)(n), 27-65-19(3), 27-65-21 and 27-65-24, on business activities within the corporate limits of the City of Jackson, Mississippi, shall be deposited into the Capitol Complex Improvement District Project Fund created in Section 27-5-215. On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, twelve and six-tenths percent (12.6%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under Section 27-65-17(1)(n) on business activities within the corporate limits of the City of Jackson, Mississippi, shall be deposited into the Capitol Complex Improvement District Project Fund created in Section 27-5-215.

(d) (i) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (d), on or before the fifteenth day of the month that the diversion authorized by this section begins, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighteen and one-half percent (18-1/2%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities within a redevelopment project area developed under a redevelopment plan adopted under the Tax Increment Financing Act (Section 21-45-1 et seq.) shall be allocated for distribution to the county in which the project area is located if:

1. The county:

a. Borders on the Mississippi Sound and the State of Alabama, or

b. Is Harrison County, Mississippi, and the project area is within a radius of two (2) miles from the intersection of Interstate 10 and Menge Avenue;

2. The county has issued bonds under Section 21-45-9 to finance all or a portion of a redevelopment project in the redevelopment project area;

3. Any debt service for the indebtedness incurred is outstanding; and

4. A development with a value of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) or more is, or will be, located in the redevelopment area.

(ii) For a county that is eligible to receive funds under this paragraph (d), as determined by the department under this paragraph (d), from and after September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighteen and one-half percent (18.5%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this chapter, except that collected under Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-17(1)(n), 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities within a redevelopment project area developed under a redevelopment plan adopted under the Tax Increment Financing Act (Section 21-45-1 et seq.) shall be allocated for distribution to the county in which the project is located, and twenty-five and nine-tenths percent (25.9%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under Section 27-65-17(1)(n) shall be allocated for distribution to that county.

( * * *iiiii) Before any sales tax revenue may be allocated for distribution to a county under this paragraph (d), the county shall certify to the Department of Revenue that the requirements of this paragraph (d) have been met, the amount of bonded indebtedness that has been incurred by the county for the redevelopment project and the expected date the indebtedness incurred by the county will be satisfied.

( * * *~~iii~~iv) The diversion of sales tax revenue authorized by this paragraph (d) shall begin the month following the month in which the Department of Revenue determines that the requirements of this paragraph (d) have been met. The diversion shall end the month the indebtedness incurred by the county is satisfied. All revenue received by the county under this paragraph (d) shall be deposited in the fund required to be created in the tax increment financing plan under Section 21-45-11 and be utilized solely to satisfy the indebtedness incurred by the county.

(2) On or before September 15, 1987, and each succeeding month thereafter, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month, One Million One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($1,125,000.00) shall be allocated for distribution to municipal corporations as defined under subsection (1) of this section in the proportion that the number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in each such municipality during the preceding fiscal year bears to the total gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in municipalities statewide during the preceding fiscal year. The Department of Revenue shall require all distributors of gasoline and diesel fuel to report to the department monthly the total number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by them to consumers and retailers in each municipality during the preceding month. The Department of Revenue shall have the authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as is necessary to determine the number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in each municipality. In determining the percentage allocation of funds under this subsection for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1987, and ending June 30, 1988, the Department of Revenue may consider gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold for a period of less than one (1) fiscal year. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "fiscal year" means the fiscal year beginning July 1 of a year.

(3) On or before September 15, 1987, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month, until the date specified in Section 65-39-35, the proceeds derived from contractors' taxes levied under Section 27-65-21 on contracts for the construction or reconstruction of highways designated under the highway program created under Section 65-3-97 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 31-17-127, be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be used to fund that highway program. The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall provide to the Department of Revenue such information as is necessary to determine the amount of proceeds to be distributed under this subsection.

(4) On or before August 15, 1994, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month through July 15, 1999, from the proceeds of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes as provided in Section 27-5-101(a)(ii)1, Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of a special fund designated as the "State Aid Road Fund," created by Section 65-9-17. On or before August 15, 1999, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month through August 15, 2026, from the total amount of the proceeds of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes apportioned by Section 27-5-101(a)(ii)1, Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) or an amount equal to twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23-1/4%) of those funds, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the "State Aid Road Fund," created by Section 65-9-17. * * * After August 15, 2025, from the total amount of the proceeds of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes apportioned by Section 27-5-101(a)(ii)1 and (iii), Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00) or an amount equal to twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23-1/4%) of those funds, whichever is greater, shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the "State Aid Road Fund" on or before September 15, 2025, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month through August 15, 2026, and Six Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($6,500,000.00) or an amount equal to twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23-1/4%) of those funds, whichever is greater, shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the "State Aid Road Fund" on or before September 15, 2026, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month through August 15, 2027, and Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000.00) or an amount equal to twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23-1/4%) of those funds, whichever is greater, shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the "State Aid Road Fund" on or before September 15, 2027, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month. From the amount of taxes paid into the special fund under this subsection and subsection (9) of this section, there shall be first deducted and paid the amount necessary to pay the expenses of the Office of State Aid Road Construction, as authorized by the Legislature for all other general and special fund agencies. The remainder of the funds shall be allocated monthly to the several counties in accordance with the following formula:

(a) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to all counties in equal shares;

(b) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the total number of rural road miles in a county bears to the total number of rural road miles in all counties of the state; and

(c) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the rural population of the county bears to the total rural population in all counties of the state, according to the latest federal decennial census.

For the purposes of this subsection, the term "gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes" means such taxes as defined in paragraph (f) of Section 27-5-101.

The amount of funds allocated to any county under this subsection for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1994 shall not be less than the amount allocated to the county for fiscal year 1994.

Any reference in the general laws of this state or the Mississippi Code of 1972 to Section 27-5-105 shall mean and be construed to refer and apply to subsection (4) of Section 27-65-75.

(5) On or before August 15, 2024, and each succeeding month thereafter, One Million Six Hundred Sixty-six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-six Dollars ($1,666,666.00) shall be paid into the special fund known as the Education Enhancement Fund created and existing under the provisions of Section 37-61-33.

(6) An amount each month beginning August 15, 1983, through November 15, 1986, as specified in Section 6, Chapter 542, Laws of 1983, shall be paid into the special fund known as the Correctional Facilities Construction Fund created in Section 6, Chapter 542, Laws of 1983.

(7) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2000, two and two hundred sixty-six one-thousandths percent (2.266%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2), shall be deposited by the department into the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created under Section 37-61-35. On or before August 15, 2000, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 2025, two and two hundred sixty-six one-thousandths percent (2.266%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2), shall be deposited into the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created under Section 37-61-35 until such time that the total amount deposited into the fund during a fiscal year equals Forty-two Million Dollars ($42,000,000.00). Thereafter, the amounts diverted under this subsection (7) during the fiscal year in excess of Forty-two Million Dollars ($42,000,000.00) shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created under Section 37-61-33 for appropriation by the Legislature as other education needs and shall not be subject to the percentage appropriation requirements set forth in Section 37-61-33. On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, two and two hundred sixty-six one-thousandths percent (2.266%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this chapter, except that collected under Section 27-65-17(1)(n) and (2), and three and seventeen one-hundredths percent (3.17%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under Section 27-65-17(1)(n), shall be deposited into the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created under Section 37-61-35 until such time that the total amount deposited into the fund during a fiscal year equals Forty-two Million Dollars ($42,000,000.00). Thereafter, the amounts diverted under this subsection (7) during the fiscal year in excess of Forty-two Million Dollars ($42,000,000.00) shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created under Section 37-61-33 for appropriation by the Legislature as other education needs and shall not be subject to the percentage appropriation requirements set forth in Section 37-61-33.

(8) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 2025, nine and seventy-three one-thousandths percent (9.073%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2), shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created under Section 37-61-33. On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, nine and seventy-three one-thousandths percent (9.073%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month this chapter, except that collected under Section 27-65-17(1)(n) and (2), and twelve and seven-tenths percent (12.7%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under Section 27-65-17(1)(n), shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created under Section 37-61-33.

(9) On or before August 15, 1994, and each succeeding month thereafter, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month, Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be paid into the State Aid Road Fund.

(10) On or before August 15, 1994, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 1995, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month, Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) shall be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before February 15, 1995, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2) and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property as defined in Section 27-51-101 shall be deposited, without diversion, into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(12) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before August 15, 1995, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(1) on retail sales of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property, as defined in Section 27-51-101 and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of these vehicles, shall be deposited, after diversion, into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(13) On or before July 15, 1994, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month thereafter, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-22 that is derived from activities held on the Mississippi State Fairgrounds Complex shall be paid into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury and shall be expended upon legislative appropriation solely to defray the costs of repairs and renovation at the Trade Mart and Coliseum.

(14) On or before August 15, 1998, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2005, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-23 that is derived from sales by cotton compresses or cotton warehouses and that would otherwise be paid into the General Fund shall be deposited in an amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) into the special fund created under Section 69-37-39. On or before August 15, 2007, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2010, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-23 that is derived from sales by cotton compresses or cotton warehouses and that would otherwise be paid into the General Fund shall be deposited in an amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) into the special fund created under Section 69-37-39 until all debts or other obligations incurred by the Certified Cotton Growers Organization under the Mississippi Boll Weevil Management Act before January 1, 2007, are satisfied in full. On or before August 15, 2010, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2011, fifty percent (50%) of that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-23 that is derived from sales by cotton compresses or cotton warehouses and that would otherwise be paid into the General Fund shall be deposited into the special fund created under Section 69-37-39 until such time that the total amount deposited into the fund during a fiscal year equals One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). On or before August 15, 2011, and each succeeding month thereafter, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-23 that is derived from sales by cotton compresses or cotton warehouses and that would otherwise be paid into the General Fund shall be deposited into the special fund created under Section 69-37-39 until such time that the total amount deposited into the fund during a fiscal year equals One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).

(15) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before September 15, 2000, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-19(1)(d)(i)2, and 27-65-19(1)(d)(i)3 shall be deposited, without diversion, into the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-38-7.

(16) (a) On or before August 15, 2000, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter on the gross proceeds of sales of a project as defined in Section 57-30-1 shall be deposited, after all diversions except the diversion provided for in subsection (1) of this section, into the Sales Tax Incentive Fund created in Section 57-30-3.

(b) On or before August 15, 2007, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighty percent (80%) of the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter from the operation of a tourism project under the provisions of Sections 57-26-1 through 57-26-5, shall be deposited, after the diversions required in subsections (7) and (8) of this section, into the Tourism Project Sales Tax Incentive Fund created in Section 57-26-3.

(17) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before April 15, 2002, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under Section 27-65-23 on sales of parking services of parking garages and lots at airports shall be deposited, without diversion, into the special fund created under Section 27-5-101(d).

(18) [Repealed]

(19) (a) On or before August 15, 2005, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter on the gross proceeds of sales of a business enterprise located within a redevelopment project area under the provisions of Sections 57-91-1 through 57-91-11, and the revenue collected on the gross proceeds of sales from sales made to a business enterprise located in a redevelopment project area under the provisions of Sections 57-91-1 through 57-91-11 (provided that such sales made to a business enterprise are made on the premises of the business enterprise), shall, except as otherwise provided in this subsection (19), be deposited, after all diversions, into the Redevelopment Project Incentive Fund as created in Section 57-91-9.

(b) For a municipality participating in the Economic Redevelopment Act created in Sections 57-91-1 through 57-91-11, the diversion provided for in subsection (1) of this section attributable to the gross proceeds of sales of a business enterprise located within a redevelopment project area under the provisions of Sections 57-91-1 through 57-91-11, and attributable to the gross proceeds of sales from sales made to a business enterprise located in a redevelopment project area under the provisions of Sections 57-91-1 through 57-91-11 (provided that such sales made to a business enterprise are made on the premises of the business enterprise), shall be deposited into the Redevelopment Project Incentive Fund as created in Section 57-91-9, as follows:

(i) For the first six (6) years in which payments are made to a developer from the Redevelopment Project Incentive Fund, one hundred percent (100%) of the diversion shall be deposited into the fund;

(ii) For the seventh year in which such payments are made to a developer from the Redevelopment Project Incentive Fund, eighty percent (80%) of the diversion shall be deposited into the fund;

(iii) For the eighth year in which such payments are made to a developer from the Redevelopment Project Incentive Fund, seventy percent (70%) of the diversion shall be deposited into the fund;

(iv) For the ninth year in which such payments are made to a developer from the Redevelopment Project Incentive Fund, sixty percent (60%) of the diversion shall be deposited into the fund; and

(v) For the tenth year in which such payments are made to a developer from the Redevelopment Project Incentive Fund, fifty percent (50%) of the funds shall be deposited into the fund.

(20) On or before January 15, 2007, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighty percent (80%) of the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter from the operation of a tourism project under the provisions of Sections 57-28-1 through 57-28-5 shall be deposited, after the diversions required in subsections (7) and (8) of this section, into the Tourism Sales Tax Incentive Fund created in Section 57-28-3.

(21) (a) On or before April 15, 2007, and each succeeding month thereafter through June 15, 2013, One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) of the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into the MMEIA Tax Incentive Fund created in Section 57-101-3.

(b) On or before July 15, 2013, and each succeeding month thereafter, One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) of the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into the Mississippi Development Authority Job Training Grant Fund created in Section 57-1-451.

(22) On or before June 1, 2024, and each succeeding month thereafter until December 31, 2057, an amount determined annually by the Mississippi Development Authority of the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into the MMEIA Tax Incentive Fund created in Section 57-125-3. This amount shall be based on estimated payments due within the upcoming year to construction contractors pursuant to construction contracts subject to the tax imposed by Section 27-65-21 for construction to be performed on the project site of a project defined under Section 57-75-5(f)(xxxiii) for the coming year.

(23) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before August 15, 2009, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-201 shall be deposited, without diversion, into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(24) (a) On or before August 15, 2019, and each month thereafter through July 15, 2020, one percent (1%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month from restaurants and hotels shall be allocated for distribution to the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Advertising Fund established under Section 57-1-64, to be used exclusively for the purpose stated therein. On or before August 15, 2020, and each month thereafter through July 15, 2021, two percent (2%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month from restaurants and hotels shall be allocated for distribution to the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Advertising Fund established under Section 57-1-64, to be used exclusively for the purpose stated therein. On or before August 15, 2021, and each month thereafter, three percent (3%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month from restaurants and hotels shall be allocated for distribution to the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Advertising Fund established under Section 57-1-64, to be used exclusively for the purpose stated therein. The revenue diverted pursuant to this subsection shall not be available for expenditure until February 1, 2020.

(b) The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) must provide an annual report to the Legislature indicating the amount of funds deposited into the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Advertising Fund established under Section 57-1-64, and a detailed record of how the funds are spent.

(25) The remainder of the amounts collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Fund.

(26) (a) It shall be the duty of the municipal officials of any municipality that expands its limits, or of any community that incorporates as a municipality, to notify the commissioner of that action thirty (30) days before the effective date. Failure to so notify the commissioner shall cause the municipality to forfeit the revenue that it would have been entitled to receive during this period of time when the commissioner had no knowledge of the action.

(b) (i) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, if any funds have been erroneously disbursed to any municipality or any overpayment of tax is recovered by the taxpayer, the commissioner may make correction and adjust the error or overpayment with the municipality by withholding the necessary funds from any later payment to be made to the municipality.

(ii) Subject to the provisions of Sections 27-65-51 and 27-65-53, if any funds have been erroneously disbursed to a municipality under subsection (1) of this section for a period of three (3) years or more, the maximum amount that may be recovered or withheld from the municipality is the total amount of funds erroneously disbursed for a period of three (3) years beginning with the date of the first erroneous disbursement. However, if during such period, a municipality provides written notice to the Department of Revenue indicating the erroneous disbursement of funds, then the maximum amount that may be recovered or withheld from the municipality is the total amount of funds erroneously disbursed for a period of one (1) year beginning with the date of the first erroneous disbursement.

SECTION 13. Section 27-67-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-67-31. All administrative provisions of the sales tax law, and amendments thereto, including those which fix damages, penalties and interest for failure to comply with the provisions of said sales tax law, and all other requirements and duties imposed upon taxpayer, shall apply to all persons liable for use taxes under the provisions of this article. The commissioner shall exercise all power and authority and perform all duties with respect to taxpayers under this article as are provided in said sales tax law, except where there is conflict, then the provisions of this article shall control.

The commissioner may require transportation companies to permit the examination of waybills, freight bills, or other documents covering shipments of tangible personal property into this state.

On or before the fifteenth day of each month, the amount received from taxes, damages and interest under the provisions of this article during the preceding month shall be paid and distributed as follows:

(a) On or before July 15, 1994, through July 15, 2000, and each succeeding month thereafter, two and two hundred sixty-six one-thousandths percent (2.266%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited in the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created pursuant to Section 37-61-35. On or before August 15, 2000, and each succeeding month thereafter, two and two hundred sixty-six one-thousandths percent (2.266%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created under Section 37-61-35 until such time that the total amount deposited into the fund during a fiscal year equals Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00). Thereafter, the amounts diverted under this paragraph (a) during the fiscal year in excess of Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created under Section 37-61-33 for appropriation by the Legislature as other education needs and shall not be subject to the percentage appropriation requirements set forth in Section 37-61-33.

(b) On or before July 15, 1994, and each succeeding month thereafter, nine and seventy-three one-thousandths percent (9.073%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created pursuant to Section 37-61-33.

(c) On or before July 15, 1997, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month thereafter, the revenue collected under the provisions of this article imposed and levied as a result of Section 27-65-17(2) and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property as defined in Section 27-51-101 shall be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created pursuant to Section 27-51-105.

(d) On or before July 15, 1997, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month thereafter and after the deposits required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section are made, the remaining revenue collected under the provisions of this article imposed and levied as a result of Section 27-65-17(1) and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property as defined in Section 27-51-101 shall be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created pursuant to Section 27-51-105.

(e) On or before August 15, 2019, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2020, three and three-fourths percent (3-3/4%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(1). On or before August 15, 2020, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2021, seven and one-half percent (7-1/2%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(1). On or before August 15, 2021, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2022, eleven and one-fourth percent (11-1/4%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(1). On or before August 15, 2022, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 2025, fifteen percent (15%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(1). On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, fifteen percent (15%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this article, except that imposed and levied as a result of Section 27-65-17(1)(n), and twenty-one percent (21%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this article imposed and levied as a result of Section 27-65-17(1)(n), shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(1).

(f) On or before August 15, 2019, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2020, three and three-fourths percent (3-3/4%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(2). On or before August 15, 2020, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2021, seven and one-half percent (7-1/2%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(2). On or before August 15, 2021, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2022, eleven and one-fourth percent (11-1/4%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(2). On or before August 15, 2022, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 2025, fifteen percent (15%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(2). On or before September 15, 2025, and each succeeding month thereafter, fifteen percent (15%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this article, except that imposed and levied as a result of Section 27-65-17(1)(n), and twenty-one percent (21%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under this article imposed and levied as a result of Section 27-65-17(1)(n), shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 27-67-35(2).

(g) On or before August 15, 2019, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2020, Four Hundred Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-six Dollars and Sixty-seven Cents ($416,666.67) or one and one-fourth percent (1-1/4%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 65-37-13. On or before August 15, 2020, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2021, Eight Hundred Thirty-three Thousand Three Hundred Thirty-three Dollars and Thirty-four Cents ($833,333.34) or two and one-half percent (2-1/2%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 65-37-13. On or before August 15, 2021, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2022, One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000.00) or three and three-fourths percent (3-3/4%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 65-37-13. On or before August 15, 2022, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2023, One Million Six Hundred Sixty-six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-six Dollars and Sixty-seven Cents ($1,666,666.67) or five percent (5%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 65-37-13. On or before August 15, 2023, and each succeeding month thereafter, (i) One Million Six Hundred Sixty-six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-six Dollars and Sixty-seven Cents ($1,666,666.67) or two and one-half percent (2-1/2%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 65-37-13, and (ii) One Million Six Hundred Sixty-six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-six Dollars and Sixty-seven Cents ($1,666,666.67) or two and one-half percent (2-1/2%) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited into the State Aid Road Fund created in Section 65-9-17.

(h) On or before August 15, 2020, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2022, One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) of the total use tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this article shall be deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund created in Section 65-37-13. Amounts deposited into the Local System Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Fund under this paragraph (h) shall be in addition to amounts deposited into the fund under paragraph (g) of this section.

(i) The remainder of the amount received from taxes, damages and interest under the provisions of this article shall be paid into the General Fund of the State Treasury by the commissioner.

SECTION 14. Section 27-67-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-67-35. (1) (a) There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. The fund shall consist of monies deposited therein under Section 27-67-31(e) and monies from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Monies in the fund shall be expended by the department to provide funds to assist municipalities in this state in paying costs associated with:

(i) Repair, maintenance and/or reconstruction of roads, streets and bridges, and acquisition and/or rehabilitation of buildings, in municipalities;

(ii) Repair, maintenance and/or other improvements to water infrastructure and sewer infrastructure, including storm water and drainage improvements; and/or

(iii) As a pledge to pay all or a portion of debt service on debt issued by a municipality for the purposes provided in this subsection (1)(a).

These monies shall not be used for salaries, benefits or any form of compensation for employees, or for contract employees, administrative costs, debt service except as provided in this subsection (1)(a), personal property or equipment * * *, except for personal property or equipment to be used for the purposes allowed in subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this subsection (1)(a), or for the construction or maintenance of public buildings or other structures that are not integral to the system of roads and bridges. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(b) (i) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph (b) and Section 65-21-31, funds provided to municipalities under this subsection (1) shall be allocated and distributed to municipalities as follows:

1. Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00) shall be allocated to all municipalities in equal shares, and

2. The remainder of the funds allocated as follows:

a. One-half (1/2) shall be allocated to municipalities based on the proportion that the population of a municipality according to the most recent federal decennial census bears to the total population of all municipalities in the state according to the most recent federal decennial census, and

b. One-half (1/2) shall be allocated to municipalities based on the proportion that the amount of sales tax revenue distributed to a municipality during the preceding fiscal year under Section 27-65-75(1)(a) bears to the total amount of sales tax revenue distributed to all municipalities during the preceding fiscal year under Section 27-65-75(1)(a). The department shall distribute funds under this subsection (1) on a semiannual basis with distributions being made in the months of January and July.

(ii) In order to be eligible to receive the full amount of funds allocated for distribution to a municipality during a year under this subsection (1), the municipality must have expended an amount not less than the amount of base expenditures during the previous municipal fiscal year for the purposes described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1). If a municipality fails to expend such required amount, then the amount of funds allocated for distribution to the municipality shall be reduced by the percentage by which the municipality failed to expend the amount of base expenditures. For the purposes of this subsection (1), "base expenditures" means the average annual expenditures made by a municipality for purposes described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) for the two-year period beginning October 1, 2020, and ending September 30, 2022. Expenditure of grant proceeds, loan proceeds, or the proceeds of bonds issued by a municipality for the purposes described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) shall not be considered when calculating the base period. Expenditures by a municipality for purposes described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) and for which the municipality may not use monies received from the department under this subsection (1), may be considered when calculating the amount of funds expended by the municipality during the previous municipal fiscal year, provided the expenditures are related to the purposes described in subparagraphs (i), (ii) and/or (iii) in paragraph (a) of this subsection (1). Beginning July 1, 2023, and each succeeding July 1 thereafter, the amount of the base expenditures shall be adjusted and compounded annually by increasing or decreasing such amount by a percentage amount that is equal to the lesser of one-half percent (0.5%) or to the United States inflation rate for the previous calendar year ending on December 31 as certified by the department and provided to the municipalities thereby within thirty (30) days of such certification. The United States inflation rate for a calendar year shall be the Consumer Price Index for the calendar year for urban consumers as calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor.

(c) The department and the Office of the State Auditor shall have all powers necessary to ensure the proper implementation of this subsection (1).

(2) (a) There is hereby created a special fund in the State Treasury. The fund shall be maintained by the State Treasurer as a separate and special fund, separate and apart from the General Fund of the state. The fund shall consist of monies deposited therein under Section 27-67-31(f) and monies from any other source designated for deposit into such fund. Monies in the fund shall be expended by the department to provide funds to assist counties in this state in paying costs associated with (i) the repair, maintenance and/or reconstruction of roads, streets and bridges in counties, and/or (ii) as a pledge to pay all or a portion of debt service on debt issued by a county for the purposes provided in this subsection (2)(a). These monies shall not be used for salaries, benefits or any form of compensation for employees, or for contract employees, administrative costs, debt service except as provided in this subsection (2)(a), personal property or equipment except for personal property or equipment to be used for the purposes allowed in subparagraph (i) of this subsection (2)(a), or for the construction or maintenance of public buildings or other structures that are not integral to the system of roads and bridges. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned or investment earnings on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

(b) (i) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph (b) and Section 65-21-31, funds provided to counties under this subsection (2) shall be allocated and distributed to counties in the following proportions:

1. One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to all counties in equal shares,

2. One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the total number of rural road miles in a county bears to the total number of rural road miles in all counties of the state, and

3. One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the rural population of a county bears to the total rural population in all counties of the state, according to the latest federal decennial census.

The department shall distribute funds under this subsection (2) on a semiannual basis with distributions being made in the months of January and July. Rural road miles and rural road population in the counties shall be determined in the same manner as they are determined for the purposes of the distribution formula in Section 65-9-3.

(ii) From and after July 1, 2020, of the funds allocated for distribution to a county during a year under this subsection (2), the maximum amount of such funds that may be distributed to the county during that year shall not exceed the amount of county funds expended by the county during the previous county fiscal year for purposes described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2). Expenditure of the proceeds of bonds issued by a county to pay costs associated with the repair, maintenance and/or reconstruction of roads, streets and bridges shall not be considered when determining the amount of county funds expended by the county during the previous county fiscal year. Expenditures by a county for purposes described in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) and for which the county may not use monies received from the department under this subsection (2), may be considered when calculating the amount of county funds expended by the county during the previous county fiscal year, provided the expenditures are related to purposes described in subparagraphs (i) and/or (ii) in paragraph (a) of this subsection (2).

(c) The department and the Office of the State Auditor shall have all powers necessary to ensure the proper implementation of this subsection (2).

SECTION 15. (1) Each person becoming a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, shall have, in addition to the defined benefit plan under this article, a defined contribution plan meeting the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. A portion of the employee's contributions shall be deposited into the employee's defined contribution account, as provided in Section 25-11-123, and in addition, the employer may elect to contribute an amount up to the maximum pretax amount allowable under federal law for plans under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Members shall be vested immediately in the defined contribution plan.

(2) (a) Pursuant to Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the board may establish a defined contribution, qualified plan under which a portion of the employee's mandatory contributions shall be deposited and which meets all requirements under federal and state law. To the extent state law conflicts with federal law, federal law shall govern the plan document to maintain the federal tax qualified status. The board, in its fiduciary capacity, may seek approval from the Internal Revenue Service.

(b) The administration of the defined contribution plan shall be under the direction of the system. The defined contribution plan shall be operated in accordance with the guidelines established by the Internal Revenue Service for Section 401(a) plans as reflected in the plan document, as may be modified from time to time by the board of trustees, and including optional variable employer contributions and a process for hardship withdrawals by members. Payroll reductions shall be made, in each instance, by the appropriate payroll officer. The administrator of the defined contribution plan may contract with a private corporation or institution for providing consolidated billing and other administrative services if deemed necessary by the administrator.

(c) The board of trustees may assess the employer an amount, out of the employer's contribution rate under Section 25-11-123, up to two-tenths percent (0.2%) of the participant's total earned compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103 to provide for the administrative expenses of operating the defined contribution plan, including, but not limited to, the services of auditors, consultants, money managers and third-party administrators.

(3) Each participating member shall direct the investment of the individual's accumulated employer and employee contributions and earnings to one or more investment choices within available categories of investment provided by the board. The board shall provide an investment menu of investment options. In establishing the investment options, the board shall:

(a) Include predetermined investment portfolio options constructed to reflect different risk profiles that automatically reallocate and rebalance contributions as a participating member ages; and

(b) Allow a participating member to construct an investment portfolio using some or all of the investment options.

SECTION 16. Section 25-11-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-103. (1) The following words and phrases as used in Articles 1 and 3, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, have the following meanings:

(a) "Accumulated contributions" means the sum of all the amounts deducted from the compensation of a member and credited to his or her individual account in the annuity savings account, together with regular interest as provided in Section 25-11-123.

(b) "Actuarial cost" means the amount of funds presently required to provide future benefits as determined by the board based on applicable tables and formulas provided by the actuary.

(c) "Actuarial equivalent" means a benefit of equal value to the accumulated contributions, annuity or benefit, as the case may be, when computed upon the basis of such mortality tables as adopted by the board of trustees, and regular interest.

(d) "Actuarial tables" mean such tables of mortality and rates of interest as adopted by the board in accordance with the recommendation of the actuary.

(e) "Agency" means any governmental body employing persons in the state service.

(f) "Average compensation" means, for persons who became members of the system before March 1, 2026, the average of the four (4) highest years of earned compensation reported for an employee in a fiscal or calendar year period, or combination thereof that do not overlap, or the last forty-eight (48) consecutive months of earned compensation reported for an employee. The four (4) years need not be successive or joined years of service. "Average compensation" means, for persons who became members of the system on or after March 1, 2026, the average of the eight (8) highest consecutive years of earned compensation reported for an employee in a fiscal or calendar year period, or of the last ninety-six (96) consecutive months of earned compensation reported for an employee, whichever is greater.

In computing the average compensation for retirement, disability or survivor benefits, any amount lawfully paid in a lump sum for personal leave or major medical leave shall be included in the calculation to the extent that the amount does not exceed an amount that is equal to thirty (30) days of earned compensation and to the extent that it does not cause the employee's earned compensation to exceed the maximum reportable amount specified in paragraph (k) of this subsection; however, this thirty-day limitation shall not prevent the inclusion in the calculation of leave earned under federal regulations before July 1, 1976, and frozen as of that date as referred to in Section 25-3-99. In computing the average compensation, no amounts shall be used that are in excess of the amount on which contributions were required and paid, and no nontaxable amounts paid by the employer for health or life insurance premiums for the employee shall be used. If any member who is or has been granted any increase in annual salary or compensation of more than eight percent (8%) retires within twenty-four (24) months from the date that the increase becomes effective, then the board shall exclude that part of the increase in salary or compensation that exceeds eight percent (8%) in calculating that member's average compensation for retirement purposes. The board may enforce this provision by rule or regulation. However, increases in compensation in excess of eight percent (8%) per year granted within twenty-four (24) months of the date of retirement may be included in the calculation of average compensation if satisfactory proof is presented to the board showing that the increase in compensation was the result of an actual change in the position held or services rendered, or that the compensation increase was authorized by the State Personnel Board or was increased as a result of statutory enactment, and the employer furnishes an affidavit stating that the increase granted within the last twenty-four (24) months was not contingent on a promise or agreement of the employee to retire. Nothing in Section 25-3-31 shall affect the calculation of the average compensation of any member for the purposes of this article. The average compensation of any member who retires before July 1, 1992, shall not exceed the annual salary of the Governor.

(g) "Beneficiary" means any person entitled to receive a retirement allowance, an annuity or other benefit as provided by Articles 1 and 3. The term "beneficiary" may also include an organization, estate, trust or entity; however, a beneficiary designated or entitled to receive monthly payments under an optional settlement based on life contingency or under a statutory monthly benefit may only be a natural person. In the event of the death before retirement of any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, and whose spouse and/or children are not entitled to a retirement allowance on the basis that the member has less than four (4) years of membership service credit, or who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, and whose spouse and/or children are not entitled to a retirement allowance on the basis that the member has less than eight (8) years of membership service credit, and/or has not been married for a minimum of one (1) year or the spouse has waived his or her entitlement to a retirement allowance under Section 25-11-114, the lawful spouse of a member at the time of the death of the member shall be the beneficiary of the member unless the member has designated another beneficiary after the date of marriage in writing, and filed that writing in the office of the executive director of the board of trustees. No designation or change of beneficiary shall be made in any other manner.

(h) "Board" means the board of trustees provided in Section 25-11-15 to administer the retirement system created under this article.

(i) "Creditable service" means "prior service," "retroactive service" and all lawfully credited unused leave not exceeding the accrual rates and limitations provided in Section 25-3-91 et seq., as of the date of withdrawal from service plus "membership service" and other service for which credit is allowable as provided in Section 25-11-109. Except to limit creditable service reported to the system for the purpose of computing an employee's retirement allowance or annuity or benefits provided in this article, nothing in this paragraph shall limit or otherwise restrict the power of the governing authority of a municipality or other political subdivision of the state to adopt such vacation and sick leave policies as it deems necessary.

(j) "Child" means either a natural child of the member, a child that has been made a child of the member by applicable court action before the death of the member, or a child under the permanent care of the member at the time of the latter's death, which permanent care status shall be determined by evidence satisfactory to the board. For purposes of this paragraph, a natural child of the member is a child of the member that is conceived before the death of the member.

(k) "Earned compensation" means the full amount earned during a fiscal year by an employee not to exceed the employee compensation limit set pursuant to Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code for the calendar year in which the fiscal year begins and proportionately for less than one (1) year of service. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the value of maintenance furnished to an employee shall not be included in earned compensation. Earned compensation shall not include any amounts paid by the employer for health or life insurance premiums for an employee. Earned compensation shall be limited to the regular periodic compensation paid, exclusive of litigation fees, bond fees, performance-based incentive payments, and other similar extraordinary nonrecurring payments. In addition, any member in a covered position, as defined by Public Employees' Retirement System laws and regulations, who is also employed by another covered agency or political subdivision shall have the earnings of that additional employment reported to the Public Employees' Retirement System regardless of whether the additional employment is sufficient in itself to be a covered position. In addition, computation of earned compensation shall be governed by the following:

(i) In the case of constables, the net earnings from their office after deduction of expenses shall apply, except that in no case shall earned compensation be less than the total direct payments made by the state or governmental subdivisions to the official.

(ii) In the case of chancery or circuit clerks, the net earnings from their office after deduction of expenses shall apply as expressed in Section 25-11-123(f)(4).

(iii) In the case of members of the State Legislature, all remuneration or amounts paid, except mileage allowance, shall apply.

(iv) The amount by which an eligible employee's salary is reduced under a salary reduction agreement authorized under Section 25-17-5 shall be included as earned compensation under this paragraph, provided this inclusion does not conflict with federal law, including federal regulations and federal administrative interpretations under the federal law, pertaining to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act or to Internal Revenue Code Section 125 cafeteria plans.

(v) Compensation in addition to an employee's base salary that is paid to the employee under the vacation and sick leave policies of a municipality or other political subdivision of the state that employs him or her that exceeds the maximums authorized by Section 25-3-91 et seq. shall be excluded from the calculation of earned compensation under this article.

(vi) The maximum salary applicable for retirement purposes before July 1, 1992, shall be the salary of the Governor.

(vii) Nothing in Section 25-3-31 shall affect the determination of the earned compensation of any member for the purposes of this article.

(viii) The value of maintenance furnished to an employee before July 1, 2013, for which the proper amount of employer and employee contributions have been paid, shall be included in earned compensation. From and after July 1, 2013, the value of maintenance furnished to an employee shall be reported as earned compensation only if the proper amount of employer and employee contributions have been paid on the maintenance and the employee was receiving maintenance and having maintenance reported to the system as of June 30, 2013. The value of maintenance when not paid in money shall be fixed by the employing state agency, and, in case of doubt, by the board of trustees as defined in Section 25-11-15.

(ix) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the value of any in-kind benefits provided by the employer shall not be included in earned compensation. As used in this subparagraph, "in-kind benefits" shall include, but not be limited to, group life insurance premiums, health or dental insurance premiums, nonpaid major medical and personal leave, employer contributions for social security and retirement, tuition reimbursement or educational funding, day care or transportation benefits.

(l) "Employee" means any person legally occupying a position in the state service, and shall include the employees of the retirement system created under this article.

(m) "Employer" means the State of Mississippi or any of its departments, agencies or subdivisions from which any employee receives his or her compensation.

(n) "Executive director" means the secretary to the board of trustees, as provided in Section 25-11-15(9), and the administrator of the Public Employees' Retirement System and all systems under the management of the board of trustees. Wherever the term "Executive Secretary of the Public Employees' Retirement System" or "executive secretary" appears in this article or in any other provision of law, it shall be construed to mean the Executive Director of the Public Employees' Retirement System.

(o) "Fiscal year" means the period beginning on July 1 of any year and ending on June 30 of the next succeeding year.

(p) "Medical board" means the board of physicians or any governmental or nongovernmental disability determination service designated by the board of trustees that is qualified to make disability determinations as provided for in Section 25-11-119.

(q) "Member" means any person included in the membership of the system as provided in Section 25-11-105. For purposes of Sections 25-11-103, 25-11-105, 25-11-109, 25-11-111, 25-11-113, 25-11-114, 25-11-115 and 25-11-117, if a member of the system withdrew from state service and received a refund of the amount of the accumulated contributions to the credit of the member in the annuity savings account before July 1, 2007, and the person reenters state service and becomes a member of the system again on or after July 1, 2007, and repays all or part of the amount received as a refund and interest in order to receive creditable service for service rendered before July 1, 2007, the member shall be considered to have become a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, subject to the eight-year membership service requirement, as applicable in those sections. For purposes of Sections 25-11-103, 25-11-111, 25-11-114 and 25-11-115, if a member of the system withdrew from state service and received a refund of the amount of the accumulated contributions to the credit of the member in the annuity savings account before July 1, 2011, and the person reenters state service and becomes a member of the system again on or after July 1, 2011, and repays all or part of the amount received as a refund and interest in order to receive creditable service for service rendered before July 1, 2011, the member shall be considered to have become a member of the system on or after July 1, 2011. If a member of the system withdrew from state service and received a refund of the amount of the accumulated contributions to the credit of the member in the annuity savings account before March 1, 2026, and the person reenters state service and becomes a member of the system again on or after March 1, 2026, the member shall be considered to have become a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, and may not receive creditable service for service rendered before March 1, 2026.

(r) "Membership service" means service as an employee in a covered position rendered while a contributing member of the retirement system.

(s) "Position" means any office or any employment in the state service, or two (2) or more of them, the duties of which call for services to be rendered by one (1) person, including positions jointly employed by federal and state agencies administering federal and state funds. The employer shall determine upon initial employment and during the course of employment of an employee who does not meet the criteria for coverage in the Public Employees' Retirement System based on the position held, whether the employee is or becomes eligible for coverage in the Public Employees' Retirement System based upon any other employment in a covered agency or political subdivision. If or when the employee meets the eligibility criteria for coverage in the other position, then the employer must withhold contributions and report wages from the noncovered position in accordance with the provisions for reporting of earned compensation. Failure to deduct and report those contributions shall not relieve the employee or employer of liability thereof. The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as necessary to implement and enforce this provision.

(t) "Prior service" means:

(i) For persons who became members of the system before July 1, 2007, service rendered before February 1, 1953, for which credit is allowable under Sections 25-11-105 and 25-11-109, and which shall allow prior service for any person who is now or becomes a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System and who does contribute to the system for a minimum period of four (4) years.

(ii) For persons who became members of the system on or after July 1, 2007, service rendered before February 1, 1953, for which credit is allowable under Sections 25-11-105 and 25-11-109, and which shall allow prior service for any person who is now or becomes a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System and who does contribute to the system for a minimum period of eight (8) years.

(u) "Regular interest" means interest compounded annually at such a rate as determined by the board in accordance with Section 25-11-121.

(v) "Retirement allowance" means an annuity for life as provided in this article, payable each year in twelve (12) equal monthly installments beginning as of the date fixed by the board. The retirement allowance shall be calculated in accordance with Section 25-11-111. However, any spouse who received a spouse retirement benefit in accordance with Section 25-11-111(d) before March 31, 1971, and those benefits were terminated because of eligibility for a social security benefit, may again receive his or her spouse retirement benefit from and after making application with the board of trustees to reinstate the spouse retirement benefit.

(w) "Retroactive service" means service rendered after February 1, 1953, for which credit is allowable under Section 25-11-105(b) and Section 25-11-105(k).

(x) "System" means the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi established and described in Section 25-11-101.

(y) "State" means the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof or instrumentality of the state.

(z) "State service" means all offices and positions of trust or employment in the employ of the state, or any political subdivision or instrumentality of the state, that elect to participate as provided by Section 25-11-105(f), including the position of elected or fee officials of the counties and their deputies and employees performing public services or any department, independent agency, board or commission thereof, and also includes all offices and positions of trust or employment in the employ of joint state and federal agencies administering state and federal funds and service rendered by employees of the public schools. Effective July 1, 1973, all nonprofessional public school employees, such as bus drivers, janitors, maids, maintenance workers and cafeteria employees, shall have the option to become members in accordance with Section 25-11-105(b), and shall be eligible to receive credit for services before July 1, 1973, provided that the contributions and interest are paid by the employee in accordance with that section; in addition, the county or municipal separate school district may pay the employer contribution and pro rata share of interest of the retroactive service from available funds. "State service" shall not include the President of the Mississippi Lottery Corporation and personnel employed by the Mississippi Lottery Corporation. From and after July 1, 1998, retroactive service credit shall be purchased at the actuarial cost in accordance with Section 25-11-105(b).

(aa) "Withdrawal from service" or "termination from service" means complete severance of employment in the state service of any member by resignation, dismissal or discharge.

(bb) The masculine pronoun, wherever used, includes the feminine pronoun.

(2) For purposes of this article, the term "political subdivision" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 25-11-5 and shall also include public charter schools.

SECTION 17. Section 25-11-109, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-109. (1) Under such rules and regulations as the board of trustees shall adopt, each person who becomes a member of this retirement system, as provided in Section 25-11-105, on or before July 1, 1953, or who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, and contributes to the system for a minimum period of four (4) years, or who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, and contributes to the system for a minimum period of eight (8) years, shall receive credit for all state service rendered before February 1, 1953. To receive that credit, the member shall file a detailed statement of all services as an employee rendered by him in the state service before February 1, 1953. For any member who joined the system after July 1, 1953, and before July 1, 2007, any creditable service for which the member is not required to make contributions shall not be credited to the member until the member has contributed to the system for a minimum period of at least four (4) years. For any member who joined the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before March 1, 2026, any creditable service for which the member is not required to make contributions shall not be credited to the member until the member has contributed to the system for a minimum period of at least eight (8) years.

(2) (a) (i) In the computation of creditable service for service rendered before July 1, 2017, under the provisions of this article, the total months of accumulative service during any fiscal year shall be calculated in accordance with the schedule as follows: ten (10) or more months of creditable service during any fiscal year shall constitute a year of creditable service; seven (7) months to nine (9) months inclusive, three-quarters (3/4) of a year of creditable service; four (4) months to six (6) months inclusive, one-half (1/2) year of creditable service; one (1) month to three (3) months inclusive, one-quarter (1/4) of a year of creditable service.

(ii) In the computation of creditable service rendered on or after July 1, 2017, under the provisions of this article, service credit shall be awarded in monthly increments in a manner prescribed by regulations of the board.

(b) In no case shall credit be allowed for any period of absence without compensation except for disability while in receipt of a disability retirement allowance, nor shall less than fifteen (15) days of service in any month, or service less than the equivalent of one-half (1/2) of the normal working load for the position and less than one-half (1/2) of the normal compensation for the position in any month, constitute a month of creditable service, nor shall more than one (1) year of service be creditable for all services rendered in any one (1) fiscal year; however, for a school employee, substantial completion of the legal school term when and where the service was rendered shall constitute a year of service credit. Any state or local elected official shall be deemed a full-time employee for the purpose of creditable service. However, an appointed or elected official compensated on a per diem basis only shall not be allowed creditable service for terms of office.

(c) In the computation of any retirement allowance or any annuity or benefits provided in this article, any fractional period of service of less than one (1) year shall be taken into account and a proportionate amount of such retirement allowance, annuity or benefit shall be granted for any such fractional period of service.

(d) (i) In the computation of unused leave for creditable service authorized in Section 25-11-103, the following shall govern for members who retire before July 1, 2017: twenty-one (21) days of unused leave shall constitute one (1) month of creditable service and in no case shall credit be allowed for any period of unused leave of less than fifteen (15) days. The number of months of unused leave shall determine the number of quarters or years of creditable service in accordance with the above schedule for membership and prior service.

(ii) In the computation of unused leave for creditable service authorized in Section 25-11-103, the following shall govern for members who retire on or after July 1, 2017: creditable service for unused leave shall be calculated in monthly increments in which one (1) month of service credit shall be awarded for each twenty-one (21) days of unused leave, except that the first fifteen (15) to fifty-seven (57) days of leave shall constitute three (3) months of service for those who became a member of the system before July 1, 2017.

(iii) In order for the member to receive creditable service for the number of days of unused leave under this paragraph, the system must receive certification from the governing authority.

(iv) For anyone who becomes a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, no service credit shall be awarded for unused leave.

(e) For the purposes of this subsection, members of the system who retire on or after July 1, 2010, shall receive credit for one-half (1/2) day of leave for each full year of membership service accrued after June 30, 2010. The amount of leave received by a member under this paragraph shall be added to the lawfully credited unused leave for which creditable service is provided under Section 25-11-103(i).

(f) For the purpose of this subsection, for members of the system who are elected officers and who retire on or after July 1, 1987, the following shall govern:

(i) For service before July 1, 1984, the members shall receive credit for leave (combined personal and major medical) for service as an elected official before that date at the rate of thirty (30) days per year.

(ii) For service on and after July 1, 1984, the member shall receive credit for personal and major medical leave beginning July 1, 1984, at the rates authorized in Sections 25-3-93 and 25-3-95, computed as a full-time employee.

(iii) If a member is employed in a covered nonelected position and a covered elected position simultaneously, that member may not receive service credit for accumulated unused leave for both positions at retirement for the period during which the member was dually employed. During the period during which the member is dually employed, the member shall only receive credit for leave as provided for in this paragraph for an elected official.

(iv) For any elected official who becomes a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, no service credit shall be awarded for leave.

(3) Subject to the above restrictions and to such other rules and regulations as the board may adopt, the board shall verify, as soon as practicable after the filing of such statements of service, the services therein claimed.

(4) Upon verification of the statement of prior service, the board shall issue a prior service certificate certifying to each member the length of prior service for which credit shall have been allowed on the basis of his statement of service. So long as membership continues, a prior service certificate shall be final and conclusive for retirement purposes as to such service, provided that any member may within five (5) years from the date of issuance or modification of such certificate request the board of trustees to modify or correct his prior service certificate. Any modification or correction authorized shall only apply prospectively.

When membership ceases, such prior service certificates shall become void. Should the employee again become a member, he shall enter the system as an employee not entitled to prior service credit except as provided in Sections 25-11-105(I), 25-11-113 and 25-11-117.

(5) Creditable service at retirement, on which the retirement allowance of a member shall be based, shall consist of the membership service rendered by him since he last became a member, and also, if he has a prior service certificate that is in full force and effect, the amount of the service certified on his prior service certificate.

(6) Any member who served on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, who served in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service before 1972 or who served in maritime service during periods of hostility in World War II, shall be entitled to creditable service at no cost for his service on active duty in the Armed Forces, in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service before 1972 or in such maritime service, provided he entered state service after his discharge from the Armed Forces or entered state service after he completed such maritime service. The maximum period for such creditable service for all military service as defined in this subsection (6) shall not exceed four (4) years unless positive proof can be furnished by such person that he was retained in the Armed Forces during World War II or in maritime service during World War II by causes beyond his control and without opportunity of discharge. The member shall furnish proof satisfactory to the board of trustees of certification of military service or maritime service records showing dates of entrance into active duty service and the date of discharge. From and after July 1, 1993, no creditable service shall be granted for any military service or maritime service to a member who qualifies for a retirement allowance in another public retirement system administered by the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System based, in whole or in part, on such military or maritime service. In no case shall the member receive creditable service if the member received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States.

(7) (a) Any member of the Public Employees' Retirement System whose membership service is interrupted as a result of qualified military service within the meaning of Section 414(u)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, and who has received the maximum service credit available under subsection (6) of this section, shall receive creditable service for the period of qualified military service that does not qualify as creditable service under subsection (6) of this section upon reentering membership service in an amount not to exceed five (5) years if:

(i) The member pays the contributions he would have made to the retirement system if he had remained in membership service for the period of qualified military service based upon his salary at the time his membership service was interrupted;

(ii) The member returns to membership service within ninety (90) days of the end of his qualified military service; and

(iii) The employer at the time the member's service was interrupted and to which employment the member returns pays the contributions it would have made into the retirement system for such period based on the member's salary at the time the service was interrupted.

(b) The payments required to be made in paragraph (a)(i) of this subsection may be made over a period beginning with the date of return to membership service and not exceeding three (3) times the member's qualified military service; however, in no event shall such period exceed five (5) years.

(c) The member shall furnish proof satisfactory to the board of trustees of certification of military service showing dates of entrance into qualified service and the date of discharge as well as proof that the member has returned to active employment within the time specified.

(8) Any member of the Public Employees' Retirement System who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, and who has at least four (4) years of membership service credit, or who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before March 1, 2026, and who has at least eight (8) years of membership service credit, shall be entitled to receive a maximum of five (5) years' creditable service for service rendered in another state as a public employee of such other state, or a political subdivision, public education system or other governmental instrumentality thereof, or service rendered as a teacher in American overseas dependent schools conducted by the Armed Forces of the United States for children of citizens of the United States residing in areas outside the continental United States, provided that:

(a) The member shall furnish proof satisfactory to the board of trustees of certification of such services from the state, public education system, political subdivision or retirement system of the state where the services were performed or the governing entity of the American overseas dependent school where the services were performed; and

(b) The member is not receiving or will not be entitled to receive from the public retirement system of the other state or from any other retirement plan, including optional retirement plans, sponsored by the employer, a retirement allowance including such services; and

(c) The member shall pay to the retirement system on the date he or she is eligible for credit for such out-of-state service or at any time thereafter before the date of retirement the actuarial cost as determined by the actuary for each year of out-of-state creditable service. The provisions of this subsection are subject to the limitations of Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated under that section.

(9) Any member of the Public Employees' Retirement System who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, and has at least four (4) years of membership service credit, or who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before March 1, 2026, and has at least eight (8) years of membership service credit, and who receives, or has received, professional leave without compensation for professional purposes directly related to the employment in state service shall receive creditable service for the period of professional leave without compensation provided:

(a) The professional leave is performed with a public institution or public agency of this state, or another state or federal agency;

(b) The employer approves the professional leave showing the reason for granting the leave and makes a determination that the professional leave will benefit the employee and employer;

(d) The employee shall serve the employer on a full-time basis for a period of time equivalent to the professional leave period granted immediately following the termination of the leave period;

(e) The contributing member shall pay to the retirement system the actuarial cost as determined by the actuary for each year of professional leave. The provisions of this subsection are subject to the regulations of the Internal Revenue Code limitations;

(f) Such other rules and regulations consistent herewith as the board may adopt and in case of question, the board shall have final power to decide the questions.

Any actively contributing member participating in the School Administrator Sabbatical Program established in Section 37-9-77 shall qualify for continued participation under this subsection (9).

(10) Any member of the Public Employees' Retirement System who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, and has at least four (4) years of credited membership service, or who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before March 1, 2026, and has at least eight (8) years of credited membership service, shall be entitled to receive a maximum of ten (10) years creditable service for:

(a) Any service rendered as an employee of any political subdivision of this state, or any instrumentality thereof, that does not participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System; or

(b) Any service rendered as an employee of any political subdivision of this state, or any instrumentality thereof, that participates in the Public Employees' Retirement System but did not elect retroactive coverage; or

(c) Any service rendered as an employee of any political subdivision of this state, or any instrumentality thereof, for which coverage of the employee's position was or is excluded; provided that the member pays into the retirement system the actuarial cost as determined by the actuary for each year, or portion thereof, of such service. After a member has made full payment to the retirement system for all or any part of such service, the member shall receive creditable service for the period of such service for which full payment has been made to the retirement system.

SECTION 18. Section 25-11-111, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-111. (a) (1) Any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, upon withdrawal from service upon or after attainment of the age of sixty (60) years who has completed at least four (4) years of membership service, or any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2011, upon withdrawal from service regardless of age who has completed at least twenty-five (25) years of creditable service, shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance, which shall begin on the first of the month following the date the member's application for the allowance is received by the board, but in no event before withdrawal from service.

(2) Any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before March 1, 2026, upon withdrawal from service upon or after attainment of the age of sixty (60) years who has completed at least eight (8) years of membership service, or any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2011, but before March 1, 2026, upon withdrawal from service regardless of age who has completed at least thirty (30) years of creditable service, shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance, which shall begin on the first of the month following the date the member's application for the allowance is received by the board, but in no event before withdrawal from service.

(3) Any member who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, upon withdrawal from service upon or after attainment of the age of sixty-two (62) years who has completed at least eight (8) years of membership service, or upon withdrawal from service regardless of age who has completed at least thirty-five (35) years of creditable service, shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance, which shall begin on the first of the month following the date the member's application for the allowance is received by the board, but in no event before withdrawal from service.

(b) (1) Any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, whose withdrawal from service occurs before attaining the age of sixty (60) years who has completed four (4) or more years of membership service and has not received a refund of his accumulated contributions, shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance, beginning upon his attaining the age of sixty (60) years, of the amount earned and accrued at the date of withdrawal from service. The retirement allowance shall begin on the first of the month following the date the member's application for the allowance is received by the board, but in no event before withdrawal from service.

(2) Any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before March 1, 2026, whose withdrawal from service occurs before attaining the age of sixty (60) years who has completed eight (8) or more years of membership service and has not received a refund of his accumulated contributions, shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance, beginning upon his attaining the age of sixty (60) years, of the amount earned and accrued at the date of withdrawal from service. The retirement allowance shall begin on the first of the month following the date the member's application for the allowance is received by the board, but in no event before withdrawal from service.

(3) Any member who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, whose withdrawal from service occurs before attaining the age of sixty-two (62) years who has completed eight (8) or more years of membership service and has not received a refund of his accumulated contributions, shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance, beginning upon his attaining the age of sixty-two (62) years, of the amount earned and accrued at the date of withdrawal from service. The retirement allowance shall begin on the first of the month following the date the member's application for the allowance is received by the board, but in no event before withdrawal from service.

(c) Any member in service who has qualified for retirement benefits may select any optional method of settlement of retirement benefits by notifying the Executive Director of the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System in writing, on a form prescribed by the board, of the option he has selected and by naming the beneficiary of the option and furnishing necessary proof of age. The option, once selected, may be changed at any time before actual retirement or death, but upon the death or retirement of the member, the optional settlement shall be placed in effect upon proper notification to the executive director.

(d) Any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2011, shall be entitled to an annual retirement allowance which shall consist of:

(1) A member's annuity, which shall be the actuarial equivalent of the accumulated contributions of the member at the time of retirement computed according to the actuarial table in use by the system; and

(2) An employer's annuity, which, together with the member's annuity provided above, shall be equal to two percent (2%) of the average compensation for each year of service up to and including twenty-five (25) years of creditable service, and two and one-half percent (2-1/2%) of the average compensation for each year of service exceeding twenty-five (25) years of creditable service.

(3) Any retired member or beneficiary thereof who was eligible to receive a retirement allowance before July 1, 1991, and who is still receiving a retirement allowance on July 1, 1992, shall receive an increase in the annual retirement allowance of the retired member equal to one-eighth of one percent (1/8 of 1%) of the average compensation for each year of state service in excess of twenty-five (25) years of membership service up to and including thirty (30) years. The maximum increase shall be five-eighths of one percent (5/8 of 1%). In no case shall a member who has been retired before July 1, 1987, receive less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) per month for each year of creditable service and proportionately for each quarter year thereof. Persons retired on or after July 1, 1987, shall receive at least Ten Dollars ($10.00) per month for each year of service and proportionately for each quarter year thereof reduced for the option selected. However, such Ten Dollars ($10.00) minimum per month for each year of creditable service shall not apply to a retirement allowance computed under Section 25-11-114 based on a percentage of the member's average compensation.

(e) Any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2011, but before March 1, 2026, shall be entitled to an annual retirement allowance which shall consist of:

(2) An employer's annuity, which, together with the member's annuity provided above, shall be equal to two percent (2%) of the average compensation for each year of service up to and including thirty (30) years of creditable service, and two and one-half percent (2-1/2%) of average compensation for each year of service exceeding thirty (30) years of creditable service.

(f) Any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2011, but before March 1, 2026, upon withdrawal from service upon or after attaining the age of sixty (60) years who has completed at least eight (8) years of membership service, or any such member upon withdrawal from service regardless of age who has completed at least thirty (30) years of creditable service, shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance computed in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection (e) of this section. In the case of the retirement of any member who has attained age sixty (60) but who has not completed at least thirty (30) years of creditable service, the retirement allowance shall be computed in accordance with the formula set forth in subsection (e) of this section except that the total annual retirement allowance shall be reduced by an actuarial equivalent factor for each year of creditable service below thirty (30) years or the number of years in age that the member is below age sixty-five (65), whichever is less.

(g) Any member who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, upon withdrawal from service upon or after attainment of the age of sixty-five (65) years who has completed at least eight (8) years of membership service, or upon withdrawal from service at the age of sixty-two (62) who has completed at least thirty (30) years of creditable service, or upon withdrawal from service regardless of age who has completed at least thirty-five (35) years of creditable service, shall be entitled to an annual retirement allowance which shall consist of a member's annuity, which annuity shall be equal to one percent (1%) of the average compensation for each year of creditable service. In the case of the retirement of any member who has attained the age of sixty-two (62) but has not completed at least thirty (30) years of creditable service, the total annual retirement allowance specified in this subsection (g) shall be reduced by an actuarial equivalent factor for each year of creditable service below thirty (30) years or the number of years in age that the member is below age sixty-five (65), whichever is less.

( * * *gh) No member, except members excluded by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1986 (Public Law 99-592), under either Article 1 or Article 3 in state service shall be required to retire because of age.

( * * *hi) No payment on account of any benefit granted under the provisions of this section shall become effective or begin to accrue until January 1, 1953.

( * * *ij) (1) A retiree or beneficiary may, on a form prescribed by and filed with the retirement system, irrevocably waive all or a portion of any benefits from the retirement system to which the retiree or beneficiary is entitled. The waiver shall be binding on the heirs and assigns of any retiree or beneficiary and the same must agree to forever hold harmless the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi from any claim to the waived retirement benefits.

(2) Any waiver under this subsection shall apply only to the person executing the waiver. A beneficiary shall be entitled to benefits according to the option selected by the member at the time of retirement. However, a beneficiary may, at the option of the beneficiary, execute a waiver of benefits under this subsection.

(3) The retirement system shall retain in the annuity reserve account amounts that are not used to pay benefits because of a waiver executed under this subsection.

(4) The board of trustees may provide rules and regulations for the administration of waivers under this subsection.

SECTION 19. Section 25-11-112, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-112. (1) Any member who became a member of the system before March 1, 2026, and is receiving a retirement allowance for service or disability retirement, or any beneficiary thereof, who has received a monthly benefit for at least one (1) full fiscal year, shall be eligible to receive an additional benefit, on December 1 or July 1 of the year as provided in subsection (3) of this section, equal to an amount calculated under paragraph (a) or (b) below:

(a) For any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2011, the sum of:

(i) An amount equal to three percent (3%) of the annual retirement allowance multiplied by the number of full fiscal years in retirement before the end of the fiscal year in which the member reaches age fifty-five (55), plus

(ii) An additional amount equal to three percent (3%) compounded by the number of full fiscal years in retirement beginning with the fiscal year in which the member reaches age fifty-five (55), multiplied by the amount of the annual retirement allowance.

(b) For any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2011, but before March 1, 2026, the sum of:

(ii) An additional amount equal to three percent (3%) compounded by the number of full fiscal years in retirement beginning with the fiscal year in which the member reaches age sixty (60), multiplied by the amount of the annual retirement allowance.

(2) The calculation of the beneficiary's additional benefit under subsection (1)(a) or (b) of this section shall be based on the member's age and full fiscal years in retirement as if the member had lived.

(3) (a) The additional benefit provided for under this section shall be paid in one (1) payment in December of each year to those persons who are receiving a retirement allowance on December 1 of that year, unless an election is made under this subsection. However, if a retiree who is receiving a retirement allowance that will terminate upon the retiree's death is receiving the additional benefit in one (1) payment and dies on or after July 1 but before December 1, the beneficiary designated on the retirement application, if any, shall receive in a single payment a fractional part of the additional benefit based on the number of months in which a retirement allowance was received during the fiscal year. Likewise, if a retiree is receiving a retirement allowance that will terminate upon his or her death in two (2) to six (6) monthly installments, any remaining payments of the additional benefit will be paid in a lump sum to the beneficiary designated on the application, or if none, pursuant to Section 25-11-117.1(1). Any similar remaining payments of additional benefits payable under this section to a deceased beneficiary who was receiving a monthly benefit shall be payable in accordance with the provisions of Section 25-11-117.1(2). If the additional monthly benefit is being received in one (1) payment, the additional benefit shall also be prorated based on the number of months in which a retirement allowance was received during the fiscal year when (i) the monthly benefit payable to a beneficiary terminates due to the expiration of an option, remarriage or cessation of dependent status or due to the retiree's return to covered employment, and (ii) the monthly benefit terminates on or after July 1 and before December 1. The board may, in its discretion, allow a retired member or a beneficiary thereof who is receiving the additional annual payment in the manner provided for in this paragraph to change the manner in which the additional annual payment is received to that provided for in paragraph (b) of this subsection if the retired member or beneficiary submits satisfactory documentation that the continued receipt of the additional annual payment as provided for in this paragraph will cause a financial hardship to the retired member or beneficiary.

(b) Retired members or beneficiaries thereof who on July 1, 1999, or July 1 of any fiscal year thereafter, are receiving a retirement allowance, may elect by an irrevocable agreement in writing filed in the Office of the Public Employees' Retirement System no less than thirty (30) days before July 1 of the appropriate year, to begin receiving the additional benefit provided for under this section in twelve (12) equal monthly installments beginning July 1, 1999, or July 1 of any fiscal year thereafter. This irrevocable agreement shall be binding on the member and subsequent beneficiaries. Payment of those monthly installments shall not extend beyond the month in which a retirement allowance is due and payable. The board may, in its discretion, allow a retired member or a beneficiary thereof who is receiving the additional annual payment in the manner provided for in this paragraph to change the manner in which the additional annual payment is received to that provided for in paragraph (a) of this subsection if the retired member or beneficiary submits satisfactory documentation that the continued receipt of the additional annual payment as provided for in this paragraph will cause a financial hardship to the retired member or beneficiary.

(4) The additional payment or payments provided for under this section are for the fiscal year in which they are paid.

(5) (a) The amount provided for under subsection (1) (a)(ii) of this section is calculated using the following formula:

[(1.03)ⁿ - 1] x [annual retirement allowance],

where ⁿ is the number of full fiscal years in retirement beginning with the fiscal year in which the member reaches age fifty-five (55).

(b) The amount provided for under subsection (1)(b)(ii) of this section is calculated using the following formula:

[(1.03)ⁿ - 1] x [annual retirement allowance],

where ⁿ is the number of full fiscal years in retirement beginning with the fiscal year in which the member reaches age sixty (60).

(6) Any retired member or beneficiary thereof who has previously elected to receive the additional annual payment in monthly installments may elect, upon application on a form prescribed by the board of trustees, to have that payment made in one (1) additional payment each year. This written election must be filed in the Office of the Public Employees' Retirement System before June 1, 2000, and shall be effective for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000.

(7) In the event of death of a retired member or a beneficiary thereof who is receiving the additional annual payment in two (2) to six (6) monthly installments pursuant to an election made before July 1, 1999, and who would otherwise be eligible to receive the additional benefit provided for under this section in one (1) payment in December of the current fiscal year, any remaining amounts shall be paid in a lump sum to the designated beneficiary.

(8) When a member retires after July 1 and has previously received a retirement allowance for one or more full fiscal years, the retired member shall be eligible immediately for the additional benefit. The additional benefit shall be based on the current retirement allowance and the number of full fiscal years in retirement and shall be prorated and paid in monthly installments based on the number of months a retirement allowance is paid during the fiscal year.

(9) A member who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, is not entitled to the additional annual benefit under this section; however, the Legislature may provide an additional benefit for a specific year.

SECTION 20. Section 25-11-114, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-114. (1) The applicable benefits provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall be paid to eligible beneficiaries of any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, and has completed four (4) or more years of membership service, or who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, and has completed eight (8) or more years of membership service, and who dies before retirement and who has not filed a Pre-Retirement Optional Retirement Form as provided in Section 25-11-111.

(2) (a) The surviving spouse of a member who dies before retirement shall receive a monthly benefit computed in accordance with paragraph (d) of this subsection (2) as if the member had nominated his spouse as beneficiary if:

(i) The member completed the requisite minimum number of years of membership service to qualify for a retirement allowance at age sixty (60), for any member who became a member of the system before March 1, 2026, or at age sixty-two (62), for any member who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026;

(ii) The spouse has been married to the member for not less than one (1) year preceding the death of the member;

(iii) The member has not exercised any other option.

(b) If, at the time of the member's death, there are no dependent children, and the surviving spouse, who otherwise would receive the annuity under this subsection (2), has filed with the system a signed written waiver of his or her rights to the annuity and that waiver was in effect at the time of the member's death, a lump-sum distribution of the deceased member's accumulated contributions shall be refunded in accordance with Section 25-11-117.

(c) The spouse annuity shall begin on the first day of the month following the date of the member's death, but in case of late filing, retroactive payments will be made for a period of not more than one (1) year.

(d) The spouse of a member who is eligible to receive a monthly benefit under paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) shall receive a benefit for life equal to the higher of the following:

(i) The greater of twenty percent (20%) of the deceased member's average compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103 at the time of death or Fifty Dollars ($50.00) monthly; or

(ii) Benefits calculated under Option 2 of Section 25-11-115. The method of calculating the retirement benefits shall be on the same basis as provided in Section 25-11-111(d) * * * or, (e) or (g), as applicable. However, if the member dies before being qualified for a full, unreduced retirement allowance, then the benefits shall be reduced by an actuarially determined percentage or factor based on the lesser of either the number of years of service credit or the number of years in age required to qualify for a full, unreduced retirement allowance in Section 25-11-111(d) * * * or, (e) or (g), as applicable.

(e) The surviving spouse of a deceased member who previously received spouse retirement benefits under paragraph (d)(i) of this subsection from and after July 1, 1992, and whose benefits were terminated before July 1, 2004, because of remarriage, may again receive the retirement benefits authorized under paragraph (d)(i) of this subsection by making application with the board to reinstate those benefits. Any reinstatement of the benefits shall be prospective only and shall begin after the first of the month following the date of the application for reinstatement, but no earlier than July 1, 2004. From and after July 1, 2010, any spouse who chose Option 2 from and after July 1, 1992, but before July 1, 2004, where the benefit, although payable for life, was less than the benefit available under the calculation in paragraph (d)(i) of this subsection shall have his or her benefit increased to the amount which provides the greater benefit.

(3) (a) Subject to the maximum limitation provided in this paragraph, the member's dependent children each shall receive an annuity of the greater of ten percent (10%) of the member's average compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103 at the time of the death of the member or Fifty Dollars ($50.00) monthly; however, if there are more than three (3) dependent children, each dependent child shall receive an equal share of a total annuity equal to thirty percent (30%) of the member's average compensation, provided that the total annuity shall not be less than One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) per month for all children.

(b) A child shall be considered to be a dependent child until marriage, or the attainment of age nineteen (19), whichever comes first; however, this age limitation shall be extended beyond age nineteen (19), but in no event beyond the attainment of age twenty-three (23), as long as the child is a student regularly pursuing a full-time course of resident study or training in an accredited high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior or community college, college, university or comparable recognized educational institution duly licensed by a state. A student child who is receiving a retirement allowance as of June 30, 2016, whose birthday falls during the school year (September 1 through June 30) is considered not to reach age twenty-three (23) until the July 1 following the actual twenty-third birthday. A full-time course of resident study or training means a day or evening noncorrespondence course that includes school attendance at the rate of at least thirty-six (36) weeks per academic year or other applicable period with a subject load sufficient, if successfully completed, to attain the educational or training objective within the period generally accepted as minimum for completion, by a full-time day student, of the academic or training program concerned. Any child who is physically or mentally incompetent, as adjudged by either a Mississippi court of competent jurisdiction or by the board, shall receive benefits for as long as the incompetency exists.

(c) If there are more than three (3) dependent children, upon a child's ceasing to be a dependent child, his annuity shall terminate and there shall be a redetermination of the amounts payable to any remaining dependent children.

(d) Annuities payable under this subsection (3) shall begin the first day of the month following the date of the member's death or in case of late filing, retroactive payments will be made for a period of not more than one (1) year. Those benefits may be paid to a surviving parent or the lawful custodian of a dependent child for the use and benefit of the child without the necessity of appointment as guardian.

(4) (a) Death benefits in the line of duty. Regardless of the number of years of the member's creditable service, the spouse and/or the dependent children of an active member who is killed or dies as a direct result of a physical injury sustained from an accident or a traumatic event caused by external violence or physical force occurring in the line of performance of duty shall qualify, on approval of the board, for a retirement allowance on the first of the month following the date of death, but in the case of late filing, retroactive payments will be made for a period of not more than one (1) year. The spouse shall receive a retirement allowance for life equal to one-half (1/2) of the average compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103. In addition to the retirement allowance for the spouse, or if there is no surviving spouse, the member's dependent child shall receive a retirement allowance in the amount of one-fourth (1/4) of the member's average compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103; however, if there are two (2) or more dependent children, each dependent child shall receive an equal share of a total annuity equal to one-half (1/2) of the member's average compensation. If there are more than two (2) dependent children, upon a child's ceasing to be a dependent child, his annuity shall terminate and there shall be a redetermination of the amounts payable to any remaining dependent children. Those benefits shall cease to be paid for the support and maintenance of each child upon the child attaining the age of nineteen (19) years; however, the spouse shall continue to be eligible for the aforesaid retirement allowance. Those benefits may be paid to a surviving parent or lawful custodian of the children for the use and benefit of the children without the necessity of appointment as guardian. Any spouse who received spouse retirement benefits under this paragraph (a) from and after April 4, 1984, and whose benefits were terminated before July 1, 2004, because of remarriage, may again receive the retirement benefits authorized under this paragraph (a) by making application with the board to reinstate those benefits. Any reinstatement of the benefits shall be prospective only and shall begin after the first of the month following the date of the application for reinstatement, but not earlier than July 1, 2004.

(5) If all the annuities provided for in this section payable on account of the death of a member terminate before there has been paid an aggregate amount equal to the member's accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit in the annuity savings account at the time of the member's death, the difference between the accumulated contributions and the aggregate amount of annuity payments shall be paid to the person that the member has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the board. If there is no designated beneficiary surviving at termination of benefits, the difference shall be payable under Section 25-11-117.1(1).

(6) Regardless of the number of years of creditable service, upon the application of a member or employer, any active member who becomes disabled as a direct result of a physical injury sustained from an accident or traumatic event caused by external violence or physical force occurring in the line of performance of duty, provided that the medical board or other designated governmental agency after a medical examination certifies that the member is mentally or physically incapacitated for the further performance of duty and the incapacity is likely to be permanent, may be retired by the board of trustees on the first of the month following the date of filing the application but in no event shall the retirement allowance begin before the termination of state service. If a member who has been approved for a retirement allowance under this subsection does not terminate state service within ninety (90) days after the approval, the retirement allowance and the application for the allowance shall be void. The retirement allowance shall equal the allowance on disability retirement as provided in Section 25-11-113 but shall not be less than fifty percent (50%) of average compensation. Line of duty disability benefits under this section shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of Section 25-11-113(1)(b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), (3), (4), (5) and (6).

(7) For purposes of determining death or disability benefits under this section, the following shall apply:

(a) Death or permanent and total disability resulting from a cardiovascular, pulmonary or musculoskeletal condition that was not a direct result of a physical injury sustained from an accident or a traumatic event caused by external violence or physical force occurring in the performance of duty shall be deemed a natural death or an ordinary disability.

(b) A mental disability based exclusively on employment duties occurring on an ongoing basis shall be deemed an ordinary disability.

(8) If the deceased or disabled member has less than four (4) years of membership service, the average compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103 shall be the average of all annual earned compensation in state service for the purposes of benefits provided in this section.

(9) In case of death or total and permanent disability under subsection (4) or subsection (6) of this section and before the board shall consider any application for a retirement allowance, the employer must certify to the board that the member's death or disability was a direct result of an accident or a traumatic event occurring during and as a result of the performance of the regular and assigned duties of the employee and that the death or disability was not the result of the willful negligence of the employee.

(10) The application for the retirement allowance must be filed within one (1) year after death of an active member who is killed in the line of performance of duty or dies as a direct result of an accident occurring in the line of performance of duty or traumatic event; but the board of trustees may consider an application for disability filed after the one-year period if it can be factually demonstrated to the satisfaction of the board of trustees that the disability is due to the accident and that the filing was not accomplished within the one-year period due to a delayed manifestation of the disability or to circumstances beyond the control of the member. However, in case of late filing, retroactive payments will be made for a period of not more than one (1) year only.

(11) (a) Notwithstanding any other section of this article and in lieu of any payments to a designated beneficiary for a refund of contributions under Section 25-11-117, the spouse and/or children shall be eligible for the benefits payable under this section, and the spouse may elect, for both the spouse and/or children, to receive benefits in accordance with either subsections (2) and (3) or subsection (4) of this section; otherwise, the contributions to the credit of the deceased member shall be refunded in accordance with Section 25-11-117.

(b) Notwithstanding any other section of this article, a spouse who is entitled to receive a monthly benefit under either subsection (2) or (4) of this section and who is also the named beneficiary for a refund of accumulated contributions in the member's annuity savings account, may, after the death of the member, elect to receive a refund of accumulated contributions in lieu of a monthly allowance, provided that there are no dependent children entitled to benefits under subsection (3) of this section.

(12) If the member has previously received benefits from the system to which he was not entitled and has not repaid in full all amounts payable by him to the system, the annuity amounts otherwise provided by this section shall be withheld and used to effect repayment until the total of the withholdings repays in full all amounts payable by him to the system.

SECTION 21. Section 25-11-115, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-115. (1) Upon application for superannuation or disability retirement, any member may elect to receive his or her benefit in a retirement allowance payable throughout life with no further payments to anyone at the member's death, except that if the member's total retirement payments under this article do not equal the member's total contributions under this article, the named beneficiary shall receive the difference in cash at the member's death. Or the member may elect upon retirement, or upon becoming eligible for retirement, to receive the actuarial equivalent subject to the provisions of subsection (3) of this section of his or her retirement allowance in a reduced retirement allowance payable throughout life with the provision that:

Option 1. If the retired member dies before he or she has received in annuity payment the value of the member's annuity savings account as it was at the time of the member's retirement, the balance shall be paid to the legal representative or to such person as the member has nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board;

Option 2. Upon the retired member's death, his or her reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of, and paid to, such person as the member has nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board of trustees at the time of his or her retirement;

Option 3. Upon the retired member's death, one-half (1/2) of his or her reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of, and paid to, such person as the member has nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board of trustees at the time of his or her retirement, and the other one-half (1/2) of his or her reduced retirement allowance to some other designated beneficiary;

Option 4. Upon the retired member's death, three-fourths (3/4) of his or her reduced retirement allowance, or such other specified amount, shall be continued throughout the life of, and paid to, such person as the member has nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board of trustees at the time of his or her retirement;

Option 4-A. Upon the retired member's death, one-half (1/2) of his or her reduced retirement allowance, or such other specified amount, shall be continued throughout the life of, and paid to, such person as the member has nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board of trustees at the time of his or her retirement;

Option 4-B. A reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of the retirant, but with the further guarantee of payments to the named beneficiary or beneficiaries for a specified number of years certain. If the retired member or the last designated beneficiary both die before receiving all guaranteed payments due, the actuarial equivalent of the remaining payments shall be paid to the successors of the retired member under Section 25-11-117.1(1);

Option 6. Any member who became a member of the system before July 1, 2007, and who has at least twenty-eight (28) years of creditable service at the time of retirement or who is at least sixty-three (63) years of age and eligible to retire, may select the maximum retirement benefit or an optional benefit as provided in this subsection together with a partial lump-sum distribution. Any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before July 1, 2011, and who has at least twenty-eight (28) years of creditable service at the time of retirement may select the maximum retirement benefit or any optional benefit as provided in this subsection together with a partial lump-sum distribution. Any member who became a member of the system on or after July 1, 2011, but before March 1, 2026, and who has at least thirty-three (33) years of creditable service at the time of retirement may select the maximum retirement benefit or any optional benefit as provided in this subsection together with a partial lump-sum distribution. Any member who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, shall not be eligible for a partial lump-sum distribution. The amount of the lump-sum distribution under this option shall be equal to the maximum monthly benefit multiplied by twelve (12), twenty-four (24) or thirty-six (36) as selected by the member. The maximum retirement benefit shall be actuarially reduced to reflect the amount of the lump-sum distribution selected and further reduced for any other optional benefit selected. The annuity and lump-sum distribution shall be computed to result in no actuarial loss to the system. The lump-sum distribution shall be made as a single payment payable at the time the first monthly annuity payment is paid to the retiree. The amount of the lump-sum distribution shall be deducted from the member's annuity savings account in computing what contributions remain at the death of the retiree and/or a beneficiary. The lump-sum distribution option may be elected only once by a member upon initial retirement, and may not be elected by a retiree, by members applying for a disability retirement annuity, or by survivors.

(2) No change in the option selected shall be permitted after the member's death or after the member has received his or her first retirement check except as provided in subsections (3) and (4) of this section and in Section 25-11-127. Members who are pursuing a disability retirement allowance and simultaneously or later elect to begin to receive a service retirement allowance while continuing to pursue a disability retirement allowance, shall not be eligible to select Option 6 and that option may not be selected at a later time if the application for a disability retirement allowance is voided or denied. However, any retired member who is receiving a retirement allowance under Option 2 or Option 4-A upon July 1, 1992, and whose designated beneficiary predeceased him or her or whose marriage to a spouse who is his or her designated beneficiary is terminated by divorce or other dissolution, upon written notification to the retirement system of the death of the designated beneficiary or of the termination of the retired member's marriage to the designated beneficiary, the retirement allowance payable to the member after receipt of that notification by the retirement system shall be equal to the retirement allowance that would have been payable if the member had not elected the option. In addition, any retired member who is receiving the maximum retirement allowance for life, a retirement allowance under Option 1 or who is receiving a retirement allowance under Option 2 or Option 4-A on July 1, 1992, may elect to provide survivor benefits under Option 2 or Option 4-A to a spouse who was not previously the member's beneficiary and whom the member married before July 1, 1992.

(3) Any retired member who is receiving a reduced retirement allowance under Option 2, Option 4 or Option 4-A whose designated beneficiary predeceases him or her, or whose marriage to a spouse who is his or her designated beneficiary is terminated by divorce or other dissolution, may elect to cancel the reduced retirement allowance and receive the maximum retirement allowance for life in an amount equal to the amount that would have been payable if the member had not elected Option 2, Option 4 or Option 4-A. That election must be made in writing to the office of the executive director of the system on a form prescribed by the board. Any such election shall be effective the first of the month following the date the election is received by the system; however, the election may be applied retroactively for not more than three (3) months but no earlier than the first of the month following the date of the death of the beneficiary.

(4) Any retired member who is receiving the maximum retirement allowance for life, or a retirement allowance under Option 1, and who marries after his or her retirement may elect to cancel the maximum retirement allowance and receive a reduced retirement allowance under Option 2, Option 4 or Option 4-A to provide continuing lifetime benefits to his or her spouse. That election must be made in writing to the office of the executive director of the system on a form prescribed by the board not earlier than the date of the marriage and not later than one (1) year from the date of the marriage. Any such election shall be effective the first of the month following the date the election is received by the system.

(5) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if the election of an optional benefit is made after the member has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years, the actuarial equivalent factor shall be used to compute the reduced retirement allowance as if the election had been made on his or her sixty-fifth birthday; however, from and after January 1, 2003, if there is an election of Option 6 after the member has attained the age of sixty-five (65) years, the actuarial equivalent factor based on the retiree's age at the time of retirement shall be used to compute the reduced maximum monthly retirement allowance. However, if a retiree marries or remarries after retirement and elects either Option 2 or Option 4-A as provided in subsection (2) or (4) of this section, the actuarial equivalent factor used to compute the reduced retirement allowance shall be the factor for the age of the retiree and his or her beneficiary at the time such election for recalculation of benefits is made.

(b) For members who retire on or after July 1, 2012, the actuarial equivalent factor used to compute the reduced retirement allowance at retirement or upon any subsequent recalculation of the benefit shall be the factor for the age of the retiree and his or her beneficiary at the time of retirement or at the time an election for recalculation of benefits is made.

(6) Notwithstanding any provision of Section 25-11-1 et seq., no payments may be made for a retirement allowance on a monthly basis for a period of time in excess of that allowed by federal law.

(7) If a retirant and his or her eligible beneficiary, if any, both die before they have received in annuity payments a total amount equal to the accumulated contributions standing to the retirant's credit in the annuity savings account at the time of his or her retirement, the difference between the accumulated contributions and the total amount of annuities received by them shall be paid to such persons as the retirant has nominated by written designation duly executed and filed in the office of the executive director. If no designated person survives the retirant and his or her beneficiary, the difference, if any, shall be paid under Section 25-11-117.1(1).

(8) Any retired member who retired on Option 2(5) or 4-A(5) before July 1, 1992, who is still receiving a retirement allowance on July 1, 1994, shall receive an increase in the annual retirement allowance effective July 1, 1994, equal to the amount they would have received under Option 2 or Option 4-A without a reduction for Option 5 based on the ages at retirement of the retiree and beneficiary and option factors in effect on July 1, 1992. That increase shall be prospective only.

SECTION 22. Section 25-11-117, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-117. (1) A member may be paid a refund of the amount of accumulated contributions to the credit of the member in the annuity savings account, provided that the member has withdrawn from state service and has not returned to state service on the date the refund of the accumulated contributions would be paid. That refund of the contributions to the credit of the member in the annuity savings account shall be paid within ninety (90) days from receipt in the office of the retirement system of the properly completed form requesting the payment. In the event of death before retirement of any member whose spouse and/or children are not entitled to a retirement allowance, the accumulated contributions to the credit of the deceased member in the annuity savings account shall be paid to the designated beneficiary on file in writing in the office of the executive director of the board of trustees within ninety (90) days from receipt of a properly completed form requesting the payment. If there is no such designated beneficiary on file for the deceased member in the office of the system, upon the filing of a proper request with the board, the contributions to the credit of the deceased member in the annuity savings account shall be refunded under Section 25-11-117.1(1). The payment of the refund shall discharge all obligations of the retirement system to the member on account of any creditable service rendered by the member before the receipt of the refund. By the acceptance of the refund, the member shall waive and relinquish all accrued rights in the system.

(2) Under the Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 102-318 (UCA)), a member or the spouse of a member who is an eligible beneficiary entitled to a refund under this section may elect, on a form prescribed by the board under rules and regulations established by the board, to have an eligible rollover distribution of accumulated contributions payable under this section paid directly to an eligible retirement plan, as defined under applicable federal law, or an individual retirement account. If the member or the spouse of a member who is an eligible beneficiary makes that election and specifies the eligible retirement plan or individual retirement account to which the distribution is to be paid, the distribution will be made in the form of a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to the specified eligible retirement plan. A nonspouse beneficiary may elect to have an eligible rollover distribution paid in the form of a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer to an individual retirement account established to receive the distribution on behalf of the nonspouse beneficiary. Flexible rollovers under this subsection shall not be considered assignments under Section 25-11-129.

(3) (a) If any person who has received a refund, reenters the state service and again becomes a member of the system before July 1, 2007, the member may repay all or part of the amounts previously received as a refund, together with regular interest covering the period from the date of refund to the date of repayment; however, the amounts that are repaid by the member and the creditable service related thereto shall not be used in any benefit calculation or determination until the member has remained a contributor to the system for a period of at least four (4) years after the member's reentry into state service. Repayment for that time shall be made beginning with the most recent service for which refund has been made. Upon the repayment of all or part of that refund and interest, the member shall again receive credit for the period of creditable service for which full repayment has been made to the system.

(b) If any person who has received a refund, reenters the state service and again becomes a member of the system on or after July 1, 2007, but before March 1, 2026, the member may repay all or part of the amounts previously received as a refund, together with regular interest covering the period from the date of refund to the date of repayment; however, the amounts that are repaid by the member and the creditable service related thereto shall not be used in any benefit calculation or determination until the member has remained a contributor to the system for a period of at least eight (8) years after the member's reentry into state service. Repayment for that time shall be made beginning with the most recent service for which refund has been made. Upon the repayment of all or part of that refund and interest, the member shall again receive credit for the period of creditable service for which full repayment has been made to the system.

(c) If any person who has received a refund reenters state service and again becomes a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, the member shall not be eligible to repay any portion of amounts previously received as a refund and may not receive creditable service for service rendered before March 1, 2026.

(4) (a) In order to provide a source of income to members who have applied for disability benefits under Section 25-11-113 or 25-11-114, the board may provide, at the employee's election, a temporary benefit to be paid from the member's accumulated contributions, if any, without forfeiting the right to pursue disability benefits, provided that the member has exhausted all personal and medical leave and has terminated his or her employment. The board may prescribe rules and regulations for carrying out the provisions of this subsection (4).

(b) If a member who has elected to receive temporary benefits under this subsection later applies for a refund of his or her accumulated contributions, all amounts paid under this subsection shall be deducted from the accumulated contributions and the balance will be paid to the member. If a member who has elected to receive temporary benefits under this subsection is later approved for a disability retirement allowance, and a service retirement allowance or survivor benefits are paid on the account, the board shall adjust the benefits in such a manner that no more than the actuarial equivalent of the benefits to which the member or beneficiary was or is entitled shall be paid.

(c) The board may study, develop and propose a disability benefit structure, including short- and long-term disability benefits, provided that it is the actuarial equivalent of the benefits currently provided in Section 25-11-113 or 25-11-114.

SECTION 23. Section 25-11-123, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-123. All of the assets of the system shall be credited according to the purpose for which they are held to one (1) of four (4) reserves; namely, the annuity savings account, the annuity reserve, the employer's accumulation account, and the expense account; however, any employee who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, shall also have a defined contribution plan administered by the system, as provided in Section 15 of this act.

(a) Annuity savings account. In the annuity savings account shall be accumulated the contributions made by members to provide for their annuities, including interest thereon which shall be posted monthly. Credits to and charges against the annuity savings account shall be made as follows:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2010, except as otherwise provided in Section 25-11-126, the employer shall cause to be deducted from the salary of each member on each and every payroll of the employer for each and every payroll period nine percent (9%) of earned compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103; however, for any employee who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, only four percent (4%) of such earned compensation shall be deposited into the annuity savings account, with the remaining five percent (5%), to be deposited into the employee's defined contribution account authorized in Section 15 of this act. Future contributions shall be fixed biennially by the board on the basis of the liabilities of the retirement system for the various allowances and benefits as shown by actuarial valuation; however, any member earning at a rate less than Sixteen Dollars and Sixty-seven Cents ($16.67) per month, or Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per year, shall contribute not less than One Dollar ($1.00) per month, or Twelve Dollars ($12.00) per year.

(2) The deductions provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be made notwithstanding that the minimum compensation provided by law for any member is reduced by the deduction. Every member shall be deemed to consent and agree to the deductions made and provided for in paragraph (1) of this subsection and shall receipt for his full salary or compensation, and payment of salary or compensation less the deduction shall be a full and complete discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands whatsoever for the services rendered by the person during the period covered by the payment, except as to the benefits provided under Articles 1 and 3. The board shall provide by rules for the methods of collection of contributions from members and the employer. The board shall have full authority to require the production of evidence necessary to verify the correctness of amounts contributed.

(b) Annuity reserve. The annuity reserve shall be the account representing the actuarial value of all annuities in force, and to it shall be charged all annuities and all benefits in lieu of annuities, payable as provided in this article. If a beneficiary retired on account of disability is restored to active service with a compensation not less than his average final compensation at the time of his last retirement, the remainder of his contributions shall be transferred from the annuity reserve to the annuity savings account and credited to his individual account therein, and the balance of his annuity reserve shall be transferred to the employer's accumulation account.

(c) Employer's accumulation account. The employer's accumulation account shall represent the accumulation of all reserves for the payment of all retirement allowances and other benefits payable from contributions made by the employer, and against this account shall be charged all retirement allowances and other benefits on account of members. Credits to and charges against the employer's accumulation account shall be made as follows:

(1) On account of each member who became a member of the system before March 1, 2026, there shall be paid monthly into the employer's accumulation account by the employers for the preceding fiscal year an amount equal to a certain percentage of the total earned compensation, as defined in Section 25-11-103, of each member. From and after May 9, 2024, the increase in the employer's contribution rate scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2024, is rescinded and shall not take effect; however, on July 1 of each year from 2024 through 2028, the employer's contribution rate shall be increased by one-half percent (1/2%). For each member who became a member of the system on or after March 1, 2026, except as provided in Section 15 of this act, the employer's monthly payment under this paragraph (1) shall be applied to the accrued liability contribution fund.

(2) For the public good, any recommendation by the board to adjust the employer contributions * * * ~~shall~~ may be accompanied by at least two (2) assessments from actuaries who are independent from each other and the retirement plan. The actuaries shall analyze the economic impact of any such recommendation to the system and state, including, but not limited to, information showing the fiscal impact to every agency and arm of the state, including, but not limited to, state agencies, cities, counties and school districts. The actuarial assessments, with any such recommendation to adjust the employer contributions, shall be submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the House, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

(3) The board shall have the authority to make recommendations regarding additional funding sources for the retirement plan, including employer contribution increases, based on the assets and liabilities of the retirement plan, and the analyses required by paragraph (2) of this subsection (c). The Legislature shall have the sole authority to implement any such recommendations. It is the intent of the Legislature that, in the 2025 Regular Session, a law be enacted to create a new tier for future members of the system, in furtherance of the system's continued financial stability and sustainability.

(4) This section shall not be construed to provide authority to reduce or eliminate any earned benefits to be provided by the state to persons who, before July 1, 2025, are drawing a retirement allowance or are members of the system.

(5) On the basis of regular interest and of such mortality and other tables as are adopted by the board of trustees, the actuary engaged by the board to make each valuation required by this article during the period over which the accrued liability contribution is payable, immediately after making that valuation, shall determine the uniform and constant percentage of the earnable compensation of each member which, if contributed by the employer on the basis of compensation of the member throughout his entire period of membership service, would be sufficient to provide for the payment of any retirement allowance payable on his account for that service. The percentage rate so determined shall be known as the "normal contribution rate." After the accrued liability contribution has ceased to be payable, the normal contribution rate shall be the percentage rate of the salary of all members obtained by deducting from the total liabilities on account of membership service the amount in the employer's accumulation account, and dividing the remainder by one percent (1%) of the present value of the prospective future salaries of all members as computed on the basis of the mortality and service tables adopted by the board of trustees and regular interest. The normal rate of contributions shall be determined by the actuary after each valuation.

(6) The total amount payable in each year to the employer's accumulation account shall not be less than the sum of the percentage rate known as the "normal contribution rate" and the "accrued liability contribution rate" of the total compensation earnable by all members during the preceding year, provided that the payment by the employer shall be sufficient, when combined with the amounts in the account, to provide the allowances and other benefits chargeable to this account during the year then current.

(7) The accrued liability contribution shall be discontinued as soon as the accumulated balance in the employer's accumulation account shall equal the present value, computed on the basis of the normal contribution rate then in force, or the prospective normal contributions to be received on account of all persons who are at that time members.

(8) All allowances and benefits in lieu thereof, with the exception of those payable on account of members who receive no prior service credit, payable from contributions of the employer, shall be paid from the employer's accumulation account.

(9) Upon the retirement of a member, an amount equal to his retirement allowance shall be transferred from the employer's accumulation account to the annuity reserve.

(10) The employer's accumulation account shall be credited with any assets authorized by law to be credited to the account.

(d) Expense account. The expense account shall be the account to which the expenses of the administration of the system shall be charged, exclusive of amounts payable as retirement allowances and as other benefits provided herein. The Legislature shall make annual appropriations in amounts sufficient to administer the system, which shall be credited to this account. There shall be transferred to the State Treasury from this account, not less than once per month, an amount sufficient for payment of the estimated expenses of the system for the succeeding thirty (30) days. Any interest earned on the expense account shall accrue to the benefit of the system. However, notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 25-11-15(10) and 25-11-105(f)(v)5, all expenses of the administration of the system shall be paid from the interest earnings, provided the interest earnings are in excess of the actuarial interest assumption as determined by the board, and provided the present cost of the administrative expense fee of two percent (2%) of the contributions reported by the political subdivisions and instrumentalities shall be reduced to one percent (1%) from and after July 1, 1983, through June 30, 1984, and shall be eliminated thereafter.

(e) Collection of contributions. The employer shall cause to be deducted on each and every payroll of a member for each and every payroll period, beginning subsequent to January 31, 1953, the contributions payable by the member as provided in Articles 1 and 3.

The employer shall make deductions from salaries of employees as provided in Articles 1 and 3 and shall transmit monthly, or at such time as the board of trustees designates, the amount specified to be deducted to the Executive Director of the Public Employees' Retirement System. The executive director, after making a record of all those receipts, shall deposit such amounts as provided by law.

(f) (1) The sum of the normal contribution rate and the accrued liability contribution rate shall be known as the "employer's contribution rate."

(2) The amount payable by the employer on account of normal and accrued liability contributions shall be determined by applying the employer's contribution rate to the amount of compensation earned by employees who are members of the system. Monthly, or at such time as the board of trustees designates, each department or agency shall compute the amount of the employer's contribution payable, with respect to the salaries of its employees who are members of the system, and shall cause that amount to be paid to the board of trustees from the personal service allotment of the amount appropriated for the operation of the department or agency, or from funds otherwise available to the agency, for the payment of salaries to its employees.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in Section 25-11-106:

(i) Constables shall pay employer and employee contributions on their net fee income as well as the employee contributions on all direct treasury or county payroll income.

(ii) The county shall be responsible for the employer contribution on all direct treasury or county payroll income of constables.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in Section 25-11-106.1, chancery and circuit clerks shall be responsible for both the employer and employee share of contributions on the proportionate share of net income attributable to fees, as well as the employee share of net income attributable to direct treasury or county payroll income, and the employing county shall be responsible for the employer contributions on the net income attributable to direct treasury or county payroll income.

(5) Once each year, under procedures established by the system, each employer shall submit to the Public Employees' Retirement System a copy of their report to Social Security of all employees' earnings.

(6) The board shall provide by rules for the methods of collection of contributions of employers and members. The amounts determined due by an agency to the various funds as specified in Articles 1 and 3 are made obligations of the agency to the board and shall be paid as provided herein. Failure to deduct those contributions shall not relieve the employee and employer from liability thereof. Delinquent employee contributions and any accrued interest shall be the obligation of the employee and delinquent employer contributions and any accrued interest shall be the obligation of the employer. The employer may, in its discretion, elect to pay any or all of the interest on delinquent employee contributions. From and after July 1, 1996, under rules and regulations established by the board, all employers are authorized and shall transfer all funds due to the Public Employees' Retirement System electronically and shall transmit any wage or other reports by computerized reporting systems.

SECTION 24. Section 25-11-305, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-305. (1) The membership of the Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan shall be composed as follows:

(a) All members of the State Legislature who are currently serving in the capacity of an elected official of the State Legislature and the person currently serving as President of the Senate shall become members of this system on July 1, 1989, unless they file with the board within thirty (30) days after July 1, 1989, on a form prescribed by the board, a notice of election not to be covered in the membership of the Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan and a duly executed waiver of all present and prospective benefits which would otherwise inure to them on account of their participation in the plan.

(b) All members of the State Legislature and the President of the Senate who are elected after July 1, 1989, but before March 1, 2026.

(2) Any state legislators who would have otherwise qualified for membership in the plan under subsection (1) of this section but who were excluded from membership by other provisions of this section as it read before March 26, 1991, shall become members of the plan upon March 26, 1991, and shall receive creditable service in the plan for the period from July 1, 1989, to March 26, 1991, upon payment of the proper employee and employer contributions for that period.

(3) Membership in the plan shall cease by a member withdrawing his accumulated contributions, or by a member withdrawing from active service with a retirement allowance, or by death of the member.

(4) No benefits under the plan shall accrue or otherwise be payable to any person who does not qualify for membership in the plan under subsection (1) of this section.

(5) If a member of the Supplemental Legislative Retirement Plan under this article withdrew from state service and received a refund of the amount of the accumulated contributions to the credit of the member before March 1, 2026, and the person reenters state service on or after March 1, 2026, the member shall be considered to have become a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi under Article 3 of this chapter on or after March 1, 2026, and may not receive creditable service for service rendered before March 1, 2026.

SECTION 25. Section 25-11-401, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-401. There is established an optional retirement program for employees of the state institutions of higher learning included in Section 37-101-1 * * *~~, Mississippi Code of 1972,~~ who are appointed or employed after July 1, 1990. To be eligible to participate in the optional retirement program, a newly appointed employee must:

(a) (i) Hold a teaching or administrative faculty position, or

(ii) Hold a position as an intern or resident in training at the University Medical Center or the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University under a teaching program at such institutions; and

(b) Be eligible for membership in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi.

SECTION 26. Section 25-11-409, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:

25-11-409. Eligible employees initially employed on or after July 1, 1990, shall elect to participate in the optional retirement program within thirty (30) days after (i) entry into state service, or (ii) the effective date of the optional retirement program, whichever is later. The election must be made in writing and filed with the board of trustees and will be effective as of the date of employment. If an eligible employee fails to timely make the election provided in this section, he shall become a member of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi in accordance with Article 3 of this chapter.

SECTION 27. Section 25-11-411, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

25-11-411. (1) Each participant shall contribute monthly to the optional retirement program * * * nine percent (9%) of the participant's total earned compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103. Participant contributions may be made by a reduction in salary in accordance with the provisions of Section 403(b) of the United States Internal Revenue Code or any amendment thereto, or in accordance with Section 25-11-124, as may be appropriate under the determination made in accordance with Section 25-11-421. The entirety of each participant's contribution shall be remitted to the appropriate company or companies for application to the participant's contracts or accounts, or both. Each employer of a participant in the optional retirement program shall contribute on behalf of each participant in the optional retirement program the same amount the employer would be required to contribute to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi if the participant were a member of the retirement system. The employer's contribution shall be remitted as follows:

(a) An amount equal to * * * fourteen and nine-tenths percent (14.9%), for participants employed before July 1, 2025, or up to nine percent (9%) as determined by the employer, for participants employed on or after July 1, 2025, of the participant's total earned compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103 shall be remitted to the appropriate company or companies for application to the participant's contracts or accounts, or both;

(b) An amount * * * ~~equal~~ up to * * * ~~two and one‑half percent (2‑1/2%)~~ two-tenths percent (0.2%) of the participant's total earned compensation as defined in Section 25-11-103 shall be remitted to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi * * * for application to the system's expense fund to defray the cost of administering the optional retirement program created by this article;

(c) The remainder * * *~~, if any,~~ shall be remitted to the * * * Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi for application to the accrued liability contribution fund.

If the employer's contribution level is decreased below nine and three-fourths percent (9-3/4%) of the employee's total earned compensation, the remittance provided by paragraph ( * * *bc) of this section shall be reduced accordingly. There shall be no reduction in the remittance provided by paragraph (a) of this section until such time, if any, that the employer's contribution level is less than * * * nine percent (9%) of the participant's total earned compensation. If the accrued liability contribution is reduced or discontinued under Section 25-11-123, the amount of the reduction, or the entirety of the employer's contribution, in case of discontinuance, shall be remitted to the appropriate company or companies for application to the participant's contracts or accounts, or both. Any remittance required to be made by the employer to the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi shall be made at the times the employer remits contributions for members of the retirement system.

(2) The employer may, in its discretion, make additional contributions to the participant's contracts or accounts up to the maximum amount allowable under federal law.

SECTION 28. Section 25-11-415, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provides that the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi may deduct not more than two percent (2%) of all employers' contributions and transfer such deductions to the expense fund of the Public Employees' Retirement System to defray the cost of administering the optional retirement program for employees of the state institutions of higher learning, is repealed.

SECTION 29. Section 2 of this act shall be codified in Chapter 7, Title 27, Mississippi Code of 1972. Section 15 of this act shall be codified in Article 3, Chapter 11, Title 25, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 30. Sections 1 through 13 and Sections 25 through 29 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025, and Sections 15 through 24 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after March 1, 2026.