MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Ishee

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE WIDOWS OF VETERANS TO RETAIN DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS UPON THE DEATH OF THEIR SPOUSE; TO REQUIRE THE SURVIVING SPOUSE WHO DESIRES TO RETAIN THE DISTINCTIVE TAG TO FILE WITH THE TAX COLLECTOR A SWORN STATEMENT THAT THE SPOUSE IS UNMARRIED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-19-56.12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-56.12. In recognition of the patriotic service rendered by Mississippians who are honorably discharged veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield, in Panama during the invasion, in Grenada during the invasion, during the Vietnam Conflict, during the Korean Conflict, during World War II or during World War I, any such person is privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive motor vehicle license plate or tag identifying him as a veteran. The State Tax Commission is further authorized to develop a decal to be affixed to the license tag indicating the veteran's service in the above enumerated wars or conflicts. The distinctive plates or tags shall be of a color and design designated by the Tax Commission.

The distinctive license plates shall be prepared by the Tax Commission and shall be issued through the tax collectors of the counties in the same manner as are other motor vehicle license plates or tags. An additional tag fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) shall be collected by the tax collector for such license plates or tags and shall be forwarded to the Tax Commission which shall deposit such fee to the credit of a fund to be administered by the board overseeing the veterans nursing homes in this state for the benefit of indigent veterans who are residents of such nursing homes.

An applicant for such distinctive plates shall present to the issuing official written evidence of the veteran's service. Such evidence shall include a copy of the applicant's DD-214 form or an equivalent document. The distinctive license plates or tags so issued shall be used only upon a personally or jointly owned private passenger vehicle (to include station wagons, recreational motor vehicles and pickup trucks) registered in the name, or jointly in the name, of the person making application therefor, and when issued to such person shall be used upon the vehicle for which issued in lieu of the standard license plate or license tag normally issued for such vehicle.

The distinctive license plates shall not be transferable between motor vehicle owners; and in the event the owner of a vehicle bearing a distinctive plate shall sell, trade, exchange or otherwise dispose of the vehicle, such plate shall be retained by such owner and returned to the tax collector. However, the surviving spouse of a deceased person, who was issued a license plate or tag under this section, shall be entitled to apply for or retain a license issued under this section and may continue annually to renew registration for one (1) motor vehicle license plate or tag under this section for as long as the spouse remains unmarried. At the time of application or renewal registration, a surviving spouse, who desires to retain the distinctive plate or tag issued under this section, shall file, with the county tax collector, a sworn statement that the spouse is unmarried.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.