MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representative Guice

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.12, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE ACTIVE AND RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL GUARD AND OF THE UNITED STATES RESERVES TO PURCHASE VETERANS TAGS; 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, and in recognition of the patriotic service rendered by Mississippians who are active duty or retired members of the Mississippi National Guard or the United States Reserves, including both enlisted and officer personnel, 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 or service in the Mississippi National Guard or the United States Reserves. 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. However, an applicant who is a member of the Mississippi National Guard or of the United States Reserves, shall present to the issuing official proof of his membership by means of a certificate signed by the commanding officer of such applicant on forms prescribed by the Adjutant General of Mississippi. A retired member of the Mississippi National Guard or of the United States Reserves applying for such plates shall present to the issuing official a copy of his active duty retirement orders or other proof of retirement from active service.

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, 2000.