MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Rogers

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES TO BE ISSUED TO ANY HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES; TO PROVIDE THAT ANY PERSON WHO IS QUALIFIED TO BE ISSUED SUCH DISTINCTIVE PLATE MAY OBTAIN A DISTINCTIVE PLATE FOR EACH MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTERED IN HIS NAME; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH DISTINCTIVE PLATES SHALL BE OF A COLOR AND DESIGN AS MAY BE AGREED UPON BY THE STATE VETERANS AFFAIRS BOARD AND THE STATE TAX COMMISSION; TO AUTHORIZE THE TAX COMMISSION TO DEVELOP DECALS TO BE AFFIXED TO SUCH DISTINCTIVE PLATES INDICATING THE BRANCH OF SERVICE IN WHICH THE VETERAN SERVED, ANY MEDALS AWARDED TO THE VETERAN AND ANY WAR OR CONFLICT IN WHICH HE SERVED; TO PROVIDE THAT THE ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH DISTINCTIVE PLATES SHALL BE A ONE-TIME FEE OF THIRTY DOLLARS; TO REVISE THE TYPES OF DOCUMENTS THAT MAY BE PRESENTED TO THE ISSUING OFFICIAL TO EVIDENCE THE VETERAN'S MILITARY SERVICE; 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, * * * any such person is privileged to obtain a distinctive motor vehicle license plate or tag for each vehicle registered in his name identifying him as a veteran. The State Tax Commission is further authorized to develop * * * decals to be affixed to the license tag indicating the branch of service in which the veteran served, any medals that were awarded to him and any war or conflict in which he served. The distinctive plates or tags shall be of a color and design as may be agreed upon by the State Veterans Affairs Board and the State Tax Commission. The State Tax Commission shall have final approval of the color and design.

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 one-time 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, a Report of Separation From Military Service, a military discharge document or a written certification of military service from the State Veterans Affairs Board. 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.

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