HB 280 (As Passed the House) - 2000 Regular Session

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Ways and Means

By: Representatives Moak, Rotenberry, Reynolds, Eads, Clarke, Perkins, Coleman (65th)

House Bill 280
(As Passed the House)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS THAT DISPLAY THE EMBLEM OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES LOCATED IN OTHER STATES; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 43-55-29, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS TO CERTIFIED EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIANS; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS IN SUPPORT OF ANIMAL CARE ORGANIZATIONS; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AMEND SECTION 69-15-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSISSIPPI SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMISSION; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS TO MEMBERS OF CIVITAN INTERNATIONAL; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS IN SUPPORT OF MISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE REHABILITATION ORGANIZATIONS; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS TO MEMBERS OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY AND ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS IN SUPPORT OF THE MISSISSIPPI SIERRA CLUB; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE LICENSE TAGS IN SUPPORT OF DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC.; TO IMPOSE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR SUCH TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF SUCH ADDITIONAL FEES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) (a) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this 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, and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00), shall be issued a distinctive license tag that displays the emblem of any public university of his choice located in another state.

(b) The design of the emblems for the distinctive license tags authorized under this subsection shall be determined by agreement between the State Tax Commission and the governing authorities of public universities in the states where the universities are located. Such other design characteristics and information to be contained on such distinctive license tags shall be determined by the State Tax Commission.

(c) Application for the distinctive license tag authorized under this subsection shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the State Tax Commission. The application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the State Tax Commission within seven (7) days of the date that the application is made. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(d) The State Tax Commission shall deposit all fees that it receives under this subsection into the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, the State Tax Commission shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such collections as follows:

(i) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of the additional fees collected from each distinctive license tag issued under this subsection shall be distributed to the World War II Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. However, when the amounts distributed to the World War II Veterans Memorial reaches an aggregate amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00), then Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of such additional fees shall be deposited into the State General Fund.

(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Fire Fighter's Memorial Burn Center Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

(2) 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.

(3) 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 by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag and the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued under this section.

SECTION 2. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the State Tax Commission, with the advice of the Mississippi Commission on Volunteer Service, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the State Tax Commission. The application and the additional fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the State Tax Commission within seven (7) days of the date the application is made. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(3) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 1, 2000, any person applying for a distinctive license tag under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied for under this section, which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run concurrent with the vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the original application is made for a distinctive license tag under this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector.

(4) The State Tax Commission shall deposit all fees into the State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the State Tax Commission shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such collections as follows:

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service Fund created under Section 43-55-29.

(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Fire Fighter's Memorial Burn Center Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways.

(5) 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.

(6) 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 by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag and the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued under this section.

SECTION 3. Section 43-55-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

43-55-29. (1) There is established in the State Treasury a fund known as the "Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service Fund" (hereinafter referred to as "fund"). The fund shall consist of monies obtained from contributions made pursuant to Section 27-7-90, and from the additional fees collected under Section 2 of House Bill No. , 2000 Regular Session. Monies in the fund, upon appropriation by the Legislature, may be expended by the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, established in Section 43-55-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, to carry out the purposes of Sections 43-55-1 through 43-55-27, Mississippi Code of 1972. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the fiscal year shall not lapse into the State General Fund, and any interest earned on amounts in the fund shall be deposited to the credit of the fund.

SECTION 4. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is an emergency medical technician certified under Chapter 59 of Title 41, Mississippi Code of 1972, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as an emergency medical technician. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the State Tax Commission, with the advice of the Mississippi Department of Health, Division of Emergency Medical Services, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the State Tax Commission. Applicants for the distinctive license tag shall present proof of their certification as an emergency medical technician to the county tax collector. The application and the additional fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the State Tax Commission within seven (7) days of the date the application is made. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Trauma Care Systems Fund created under Section 41-59-75.

SECTION 5. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (4) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name, which license tag may depict the silhouettes of a dog and a cat within a heart, and shall be produced in such color and design as the State Tax Commission may prescribe. The words "I Care for Animals" shall be centered at the bottom of the license tag, with a silhouette on each side. The State Tax Commission shall prescribe such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the State Tax Commission. The application and the additional fee imposed under subsection (4) of this section, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the State Tax Commission within seven (7) days of the date the application is made. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the special fund created in Section 6 of this act.

(5) 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) month and year license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the license tag.

SECTION 6. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known and designated as the "Animal Care Fund." There shall be deposited in the fund (a) the additional fees collected from the issuance of distinctive license tags under Section 5 of this act, (b) any gifts, grants, donations or matching money from federal, state or local governmental bodies and private persons, associations, groups or corporations making contributions to the fund; and (c) such other monies as the Legislature may appropriate or authorize to be deposited therein.

(2) The special fund created under subsection (1) of this section shall be administered by the Mississippi Board of Animal Health. Monies in the special fund shall be allocated and distributed by the Mississippi Board of Animal Health to and among the boards of supervisors of each of the counties and the governing authorities of municipalities in the state. Monies allocated, distributed and received by the boards of supervisors and governing authorities (a) may be expended for the operation and support of county or municipal agencies, boards or departments that provide food, shelter and care, and/or spaying and neutering, of lost, abandoned or unwanted pets; (b) may be expended for the creation, development or expansion of such agencies, boards or departments; or (c) may be donated by the boards of supervisors and governing authorities to nonprofit groups, organizations and associations that operate similar programs. However, priority for expenditure of such monies shall be given to spaying and neutering programs. None of such monies may be expended for euthanasia.

(3) The Mississippi Board of Animal Health shall adopt rules and regulations governing the proper administration of the Animal Care Fund, and establishing guidelines and criteria for the distribution and allocation of monies in the fund, including qualifications for those groups, organizations and associations to which boards of supervisors and governing authorities may make donations.

SECTION 7. Section 69-15-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

69-15-9. The Board of Animal Health shall have plenary power to deal with all contagious and infectious diseases of animals as in the opinion of the board may be prevented, controlled or eradicated, and with full power to make, promulgate and enforce such rules and regulations as in the judgment of the board may be necessary to control, eradicate and prevent the introduction and spread of anthrax, tuberculosis, hog cholera, Texas and splenic fever and the fever-carrying tick (margaropus annulatus), cattle brucellosis, anaplasmosis, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, muscosal disease, cattle viral diarrhea, cattle scabies, sheep scabies, hog cholera, swine erysipelas, swine brucellosis, equine encephalomyelitis, rabies, vesicular diseases, salmonella group, newcastle disease, infectious laryngotracheitis, ornithosis-psittacosis, mycoplasma group and any suspected new and/or foreign diseases of livestock and poultry and all other diseases of animals in this state, and the board is hereby vested with full authority to establish and maintain quarantine lines and to quarantine by county, supervisors district, parcel of land or herd. The State Veterinarian shall appoint as many inspectors and range riders as may be deemed necessary, and the funds at his disposal will permit, and shall delegate authority to said inspectors and range riders, to enter premises to inspect and disinfect livestock and premises, and enforce quarantine including counties, farms, pens, stables and other premises.

No officer or agent of the State Veterinarian may enter the actual enclosures of any person except (1) with the consent of the person lawfully in possession thereof or (2) in the absence of such consent, with a proper writ obtained as in other cases of searches and seizures under constitutional law. When such officers and agents are lawfully on the premises, either by permission or writ, they shall be authorized to inspect the premises and the livestock and animals found thereon by entering the enclosures and buildings and they are authorized to check livestock and poultry found therein for any contagious diseases and take proper action to control or eradicate any such diseases that may be found. While such officers and agents are performing their duties hereunder, they shall not be personally liable except for gross negligence. The refusal without lawful reason of any person to give the consent aforesaid shall be deemed a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as for violations of Article 5 of this chapter as provided for in Section 69-15-115.

The Board of Animal Health shall administer the special fund created in Section 6 of House Bill No. , 2000 Regular Session.

SECTION 8. (1) Owners of motor vehicles 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, and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00), shall be issued a special license tag which displays an emblem designed by the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

(2) The Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission shall design an emblem which shall be displayed on the special license tag. The emblem shall be affixed during the production of the license tag.

(3) Application for the special license tags shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the State Tax Commission. The application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the State Tax Commission within seven (7) days of the date the application is made. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund.

(4) The special license tag shall be issued for a one-year period. The additional annual fee shall be due and payable at the time of renewal registration.

(5) The State Tax Commission shall deposit all fees into the State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the State Tax Commission shall certify the total fees collected under this section to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such collections as follows:

(6) 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) month and year license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the license tag.

(7) 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 by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag and the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued under this section.

SECTION 9. There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be designated as the "Natural Resources Conservation Education Fund." The fund shall consist of such monies as are required to be deposited therein under Section 8 of this act; any gifts, grants or other contributions from any federal, state or local government or any person, firm or corporation; and such other monies as the Legislature may appropriate or authorize to be deposited into the fund. Monies in the fund may be used upon appropriation by the Legislature, by the Mississippi Soil and Water Conservation Commission to develop, produce and distribute materials used to educate individuals, groups or both, as to the natural resources of the State of Mississippi and the conservation of such resources.

SECTION 10. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a member of Civitan International, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a member of Civitan International. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the State Tax Commission, with the advice of Civitan International, may prescribe, and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Mississippi Chapter of Civitan International. If there is no Mississippi Chapter of Civitan International, then such additional fees shall be deposited into the State General Fund.

SECTION 11. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name, which license tag shall display a wild animal native to the State of Mississippi and the words "Wildlife Rehabilitation." The native Mississippi wild animal emblem shall be chosen by the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Nature Preservation Society, Inc. (WRANPS), and the words "Wildlife Rehabilitation" shall be affixed during the production of the license tag. The State Tax Commission shall prescribe such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into a special fund that is created in the State Treasury to the credit of all Mississippi wildlife rehabilitation organizations collectively that hold current state and federal licenses. The funds shall be made available at the beginning of each calendar year to each wildlife rehabilitation organization on a pro rata basis in accordance with the numbers of native wild animals each organization has rehabilitated for the past year. These numbers shall be based on annual reports currently submitted to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. It shall be the responsibility of the WRANPS to submit a final tally of numbers for each licensed wildlife organization to the State Tax Commission before the commission's final disbursement of funds. WRANPS shall further be responsible for sending a copy of this tally to each licensed wildlife rehabilitation organization.

SECTION 12. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state and who is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority or Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00), shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a member or supporter of such organization. The distinctive license tags so issued shall display the Greek letter of the organization and shall be of such color and design as the State Tax Commission may prescribe, and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(3) The distinctive license tag shall be issued for a

one-year period. The additional annual fee shall be due and payable at the time of renewal registration.

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on the distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Coleman, Alexander, Possner Foundation.

(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on the distinctive license tags shall be deposited into the Mississippi Fire Fighter's Memorial Burn Center Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

(5) 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) month and year license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, which will expire the same month and year as the license tag.

SECTION 13. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of the Mississippi Sierra Club. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the State Tax Commission, with the advice of the Mississippi Sierra Club, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to the Mississippi Sierra Club. (b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the Mississippi Fire Fighter's Memorial Burn Center Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70.

SECTION 14. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state, 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, and upon payment of an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a supporter of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the State Tax Commission, with the advice of Ducks Unlimited, Inc., may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag.

(a) Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) of each additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall be distributed to Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

SECTION 15. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the date House Bill No. 862, 2000 Regular Session becomes effective.