MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Walker

AN ACT TO CREATE A NEW CODE SECTION TO BE CODIFIED AS SECTION 27-19-56.15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO RETIRED TEACHERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 27-19-56.15, Mississippi Code of 1972:

27-19-56.15. (1) Owners of motor vehicles who are residents of Mississippi and who are receiving monthly retirement checks from the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System, or who are receiving monthly retirement checks from an education retirement pension program from any other state, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, are eligible to apply for and receive a distinctive license tag.

(2) The distinctive license tags shall be prepared by the State 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. Each distinctive license tag shall display thereon the words "Retired Educator" and, in addition, such numbers or letters, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag. The distinctive tags shall be of such color and design as agreed upon by the American Federation of Teachers, the Mississippi Professional Educators, the Mississippi Retired Teachers' Association and the State Tax Commission. The State Tax Commission shall have final approval of the color and design of the tags.

(3) Applicants for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall present to the issuing official proof that they are receiving a monthly allotment as a retired teacher from the Mississippi Public Employees' Retirement System or from an education retirement pension program from any other state.

(4) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the regular license tag.

(5) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided under Section 27-19-37.

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