MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representatives Rogers, Weathersby

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-35-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE FEE FOR IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR BLIND PERSONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 45-35-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

45-35-7. (1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, each applicant for an original identification card issued pursuant to this chapter who is entitled to issuance of such a card shall be issued a four-year card. Each card shall expire at midnight on the last day of the cardholder's birth month.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, all renewal identification cards shall be for four-year periods and may be renewed any time during the birth month of the cardholder upon application and payment of the required fee.

(3) Any applicant who is blind, as defined in Section 43-6-1, upon payment of a fee of Five Dollars ($5.00), shall be issued an original identification card which shall remain valid for a period of ten (10) years. All renewal identification cards issued to such persons shall also be valid for a period of ten (10) years.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (3) for blind persons, a fee of Thirteen Dollars ($13.00) shall be collected for the issuance of an original or renewal identification card. All fees shall be deposited into the State General Fund.

(5) Any person who, for medical reasons, surrenders his unexpired driver's license, and any person whose unexpired driver's license is suspended for medical reasons by the Commissioner of Public Safety under Section 63-1-53(e), may be issued an identification card without payment of a fee. The identification card shall be valid for a period of four (4) years from its date of issue. All renewals of such card shall be subject to the fee prescribed in subsection (4) of this section.

(6) The department shall maintain a record of all identification cards issued, except for those cards cancelled, surrendered or denied renewal.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.