MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Minor

AN ACT TO CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI TELECOMMUNICATIONS TAX REFORM ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN PERSONS PROVIDING TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND FROM THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 50% OF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF THE AD VALOREM TAX PAID BY SUCH PERSON ON CLASS IV PROPERTY TO LOCAL TAXING DISTRICTS IN THIS STATE; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH REFUNDS SHALL BE PAID BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION EXCLUSIVELY FROM THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AD VALOREM TAX REDUCTION FUND CREATED BY THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROPORTIONATE REDUCTION OF SUCH REFUNDS IN THE EVENT THAT THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT MONIES IN THE FUND TO PAY SUCH REFUNDS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE CARRY FORWARD OF SUCH REFUNDS; TO PROVIDE THAT AMOUNTS IN EXCESS OF THE AMOUNTS NECESSARY TO PAY SUCH REFUNDS AND CARRY FORWARDS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED INTO THE MOTOR VEHICLE AD VALOREM TAX REDUCTION FUND; TO CREATE THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AD VALOREM TAX REDUCTION FUND; TO PROVIDE THAT THE MONEY IN SUCH FUND SHALL BE UTILIZED TO PAY THE REFUND AUTHORIZED BY THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH FUND SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION; TO REQUIRE A RATE REDUCTION BY CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE PROVIDERS THAT EXPERIENCE A TAX SAVINGS AS A RESULT OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE LEVY OF A SALES TAX UPON THE PROVISION OF INTERSTATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AT THE RATE OF 5.5%; TO AMEND SECTION 27-65-75, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALES TAX ON INTERSTATE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES SHALL BE DEPOSITED WITHOUT DIVERSION INTO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AD VALOREM TAX REDUCTION FUND; TO AMEND SECTION 27-35-319, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REMOVE PROVISIONS THAT CLASSIFY THE PROPERTY OF TELEPHONE COMPANIES LOCATED IN MORE THAN SIX COUNTIES AS CLASS IV OR CLASS II PROPERTY; TO AMEND SECTION 27-35-163, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT, IN APPEALS OF ORDERS OF THE STATE TAX COMMISSION BY A TELEPHONE COMPANY OPERATING IN MORE THAN SIX COUNTIES, THE DISPUTED TAXES SHALL BE PAID UNDER PROTEST AND THAT A TELEPHONE COMPANY WHO PREVAILS IN SUCH AN APPEAL SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A REFUND OR CREDIT OF SUCH TAXES; TO AMEND SECTION 27-51-105, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY THERETO; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "Mississippi Telecommunications Tax Reform Act."

SECTION 2. (1) The Legislature finds that one measure of the state's economic competitiveness is the presence of an efficient and affordable telecommunications infrastructure using the latest technological advancements.

(2) The Legislature further finds that the telecommunications industry is undergoing a dramatic change that is altering the identity of its participants, the nature of services that the industry provides, and the methods used to deliver those services.

(3) The Legislature finds that the telecommunications industry is becoming increasingly competitive and that full and fair competition within the telecommunications industry is beneficial to all Mississippians.

(4) The Legislature further finds that existing Mississippi ad valorem property tax laws place certain telephone companies at a competitive disadvantage because their property is classified for ad valorem tax purposes as "public utility property" and is assessed at the rate of thirty percent (30%) of such property's true value while many of their competitors' property is not classified as "public utility property" and is therefore assessed at the rate of fifteen percent (15%) of such property's true value.

(5) The Legislature finds that the competitive inequities engendered by such existing Mississippi property tax laws hinder the investment in the state's telecommunications infrastructure.

(6) The Legislature finds that the best method to mitigate the effects of such competitive disadvantage is to create a partial exemption for that particular species of property owned by telephone companies that is assessed at the higher rate. This partial exemption is most effectively implemented as an ad valorem tax refund from the State of Mississippi in an amount equal to the portion of the ad valorem taxes paid by such telephone companies that is attributable to the higher assessment rate.

(7) The Legislature further finds, however, that it is in the best interests of the State of Mississippi and its political subdivisions that the tax revenues available to the state should not be diminished by the tax refunds granted to such telephone companies; and that an expansion of the sales tax base to include interstate telecommunications services is expected to provide tax revenues to the state that are approximately equal to the amount of the tax refunds granted to such telephone companies.

(8) Furthermore, the Legislature finds that it is in the best interests of Mississippi consumers of telecommunications services that any tax savings experienced by such telephone companies be passed on to consumers in the form of reductions in the prices charged for the services provided by such telephone companies.

(9) Accordingly, the Legislature finds that there is a compelling public need to effect these changes in the tax system of the state in order to:

(a) Avoid placing certain telecommunications services providers at a competitive disadvantage;

(b) Provide purchasers of telecommunications services with greater choices and lower prices; and

(c) Preserve the revenue base of the existing property tax system for political subdivisions of the state.

SECTION 3. (1) With respect to ad valorem taxes becoming due after January 1, 2001, every person providing telecommunications services subject to sales tax under paragraphs (e) and (f) of Section 27-65-19(1), Mississippi Code of 1972, and which operates in more than six (6) counties, shall be entitled to a refund from the State of Mississippi in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate amount of the ad valorem tax paid by such person on Class IV property, as defined in Section 112, Mississippi Constitution of 1890, to local taxing districts.

(2) On or before March 15, 2001, and on or before March 15 of each year thereafter, the State Tax Commission shall pay all refunds to which telecommunications service providers are entitled under the provisions of subsection (1) of this section for ad valorem taxes that became due on or before the first day of February immediately preceding March 15.

(3) The payments made pursuant to subsection (2) of this section shall be paid by the State Tax Commission exclusively out of the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created pursuant to Section 4 of this act. To the extent that the amount contained in such fund does not equal or exceed the payments prescribed by this section, such payments shall be proportionately reduced by the amount of the shortfall; provided, however, that any reduction shall be carried forward and paid to the respective telecommunications service provider in any succeeding taxable year or years in which monies remain in the fund after payment of all refunds pursuant to subsection (2) of this section for such year. The State Tax Commission shall determine the amount of any reductions pursuant to this subsection.

(4) On or before April 15, 2001, and on or before April 15 of each year thereafter, amounts in the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, which are in excess of the amounts necessary to pay all refunds pursuant to subsection (2) of this section and all amounts carried forward pursuant to subsection (3) of this section shall be transferred into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

SECTION 4. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, into which shall be deposited the money specified in Section 27-65-75(15) and such other money as the Legislature may provide by appropriation. The money in the fund shall be used to make the payments provided for in Section 3 of this act.

(2) The Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund shall be administered by the State Tax Commission, and money in the fund shall be expended upon appropriation by the Legislature. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the state 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. The State Tax Commission shall make the calculations necessary to make the distributions required pursuant to Section 3 of this act, and shall make the transfer of unexpended amounts required to be made pursuant to Section 3 of this act.

SECTION 5. To the extent that a person providing telecommunications services that are regulated by the Mississippi Public Service Commission experiences a tax savings as a result of the provisions of this act, such savings shall inure to the benefit of the customers of such person in a manner to be determined by the Mississippi Public Service Commission. The Mississippi Public Service Commission shall issue a rate reduction order implementing the provisions of this section on or before December 31, 2000.

SECTION 6. Section 27-65-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-19. (1) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, upon every person selling to consumers, electricity, current, power, potable water, steam, coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel, there is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected a tax equal to seven percent (7%) of the gross income of the business. Provided, gross income from sales to consumers of electricity, current, power, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel for residential heating, lighting or other residential noncommercial or nonagricultural use, and sales of potable water for residential, noncommercial or nonagricultural use shall be excluded from taxable gross income of the business. Provided further, upon every such seller using electricity, current, power, potable water, steam, coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel for nonindustrial purposes, there is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected a tax equal to seven percent (7%) of the cost or value of the product or service used.

(b) There is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected a tax equal to one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) of the gross income of the business when the electricity, current, power, steam, coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel is sold to or used by a manufacturer, custom processor or public service company for industrial purposes, which shall include that used to generate electricity, to operate an electrical distribution or transmission system, to operate pipeline compressor or pumping stations or to operate railroad locomotives; provided, however, that:

(i) From and after July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001, sales of fuel used to produce electric power by a company primarily engaged in the business of producing, generating or distributing electric power for sale shall be taxed at the rate of one and one-eighth percent (1.125%);

(ii) From and after July 1, 2001, through June 30, 2002, sales of fuel used to produce electric power by a company primarily engaged in the business of producing, generating or distributing electric power for sale shall be taxed at the rate of three-fourths of one percent (0.75%);

(iii) From and after July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003, sales of fuel used to produce electric power by a company primarily engaged in the business of producing, generating or distributing electric power for sale shall be taxed at the rate of three-eighths of one percent (0.375%);

(iv) From and after July 1, 2003, sales of fuel used to produce electric power by a company primarily engaged in the business of producing, generating or distributing electric power for sale shall be exempt from sales tax as provided in Section 27-65-107.

(c) The one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) industrial rate provided for in this subsection shall also apply when the electricity, current, power, steam, coal, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel is sold to a producer or processor for use directly in the production of poultry or poultry products, the production of livestock and livestock products, the production of plants or food by commercial horticulturists, the processing of milk and milk products, the processing of poultry and livestock feed, and the irrigation of farm crops.

(d) The one and one-half percent (1-1/2%) rate provided for in this subsection shall not apply to sales of fuel for automobiles, trucks, truck-tractors, buses, farm tractors or airplanes.

(e) Upon every person operating a telegraph or telephone business for the transmission of messages or conversations between points within this state, there is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected, a tax equal to seven percent (7%) of the gross income of such business, with no deduction or allowance for any part of an intrastate rate charge because of routing across a state line. Charges by one telecommunications provider to another telecommunications provider for services that are resold by such other telecommunications provider, including, but not limited to, access charges, shall not be subject to the tax levied pursuant to this paragraph (e). However, any sale of a prepaid telephone calling card or prepaid authorization number, or both, shall be deemed to be the sale of tangible personal property subject only to such taxes imposed by law on the sale of tangible personal property. If the sale of a prepaid telephone calling card or prepaid authorization number does not take place at the vendor's place of business, it shall be conclusively determined to take place at the customer's shipping address. The reauthorization of a prepaid telephone calling card or a prepaid authorization number shall be conclusively determined to take place at the customer's billing address.

(f) Upon every person operating a telegraph or telecommunications business for the transmission of messages or conversations originating in this state or terminating in this state via interstate telecommunications, which are charged to the customer's service address in this state, regardless of where such amount is billed or paid, there is hereby levied, assessed and shall be collected a tax equal to five and one-half percent (5.5%) of the gross income received by such business from such interstate telecommunications. However, a person, upon proof that he has paid a tax in another state on such event, shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed in this paragraph (f) on interstate telecommunications charges to the extent that the amount of such tax is properly due and actually paid in such other state and to the extent that the rate of sales tax imposed by and paid to such other state does not exceed the rate of sales tax imposed by this paragraph (f). Charges by one telecommunications provider to another telecommunications provider for services that are resold by such other telecommunications provider, including, but not limited to, access charges, shall not be subject to the tax levied pursuant to this paragraph (f).

(2) Persons making sales to consumers of electricity, current, power, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas or other fuel for residential heating, lighting or other residential noncommercial or nonagricultural use or sales of potable water for residential, noncommercial or nonagricultural use shall indicate on each statement rendered to customers that such charges are exempt from sales taxes.

(3) There is hereby levied, assessed and shall be paid on transportation charges on shipments moving between points within this state when paid directly by the consumer, a tax equal to the rate applicable to the sale of the property being transported. Such tax shall be reported and paid directly to the State Tax Commission by the consumer.

SECTION 7. Section 27-65-75, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-75. On or before the fifteenth day of each month, the revenue collected under the provisions of this chapter during the preceding month shall be paid and distributed as follows:

(1) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 1993, eighteen percent (18%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution to such municipality and paid to such municipal corporation. On or before August 15, 1993, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighteen and one-half percent (18-1/2%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution to such municipality and paid to such municipal corporation.

A municipal corporation, for the purpose of distributing the tax under this subsection, shall mean and include all incorporated cities, towns and villages.

Monies allocated for distribution and credited to a municipal corporation under this subsection may be pledged as security for any loan received by the municipal corporation for the purpose of capital improvements as authorized under Section 57-1-303, or loans as authorized under Section 57-44-7, or water systems improvements as authorized under Section 41-3-16.

In any county having a county seat which is not an incorporated municipality, the distribution provided hereunder shall be made as though the county seat was an incorporated municipality; however, the distribution to such municipality shall be paid to the county treasury wherein the municipality is located and such funds shall be used for road, bridge and street construction or maintenance therein.

(2) On or before September 15, 1987, and each succeeding month thereafter, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month One Million One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($1,125,000.00) shall be allocated for distribution to municipal corporations as defined under subsection (1) of this section in the proportion that the number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in each such municipality during the preceding fiscal year bears to the total gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in municipalities statewide during the preceding fiscal year. The State Tax Commission shall require all distributors of gasoline and diesel fuel to report to the commission monthly the total number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by them to consumers and retailers in each municipality during the preceding month. The State Tax Commission shall have the authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as is necessary to determine the number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in each municipality. In determining the percentage allocation of funds under this subsection for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1987, and ending June 30, 1988, the State Tax Commission may consider gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold for a period of less than one (1) fiscal year. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "fiscal year" means the fiscal year beginning July 1 of a year.

(3) On or before September 15, 1987, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month, until the date specified in Section 65-39-35, the proceeds derived from contractors' taxes levied under Section 27-65-21 on contracts for the construction or reconstruction of highways designated under the Four-Lane Highway Program created under Section 65-3-97 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 31-17-127, be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be used to fund such Four-Lane Highway Program. The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall provide to the State Tax Commission such information as is necessary to determine the amount of proceeds to be distributed under this subsection.

(4) On or before August 15, 1994, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month through July 15, 1999, from the proceeds of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes as provided in Section 27-5-101(a)(ii)1, Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of a special fund designated as the "State Aid Road Fund," created by Section 65-9-17. On or before August 15, 1999, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month, from the total amount of the proceeds of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes apportioned by Section 27-5-101(a)(ii), Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) or an amount equal to twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23.25%) of such funds, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the "State Aid Road Fund," created by Section 65-9-17. Such funds shall be pledged to pay the principal of and interest on state aid road bonds heretofore issued under Sections 19-9-51 through 19-9-77, in lieu of and in substitution for the funds heretofore allocated to counties under this section. Such funds may not be pledged for the payment of any state aid road bonds issued after April 1, 1981; however, this prohibition against the pledging of any such funds for the payment of bonds shall not apply to any bonds for which intent to issue such bonds has been published, for the first time, as provided by law prior to March 29, 1981. From the amount of taxes paid into the special fund pursuant to this subsection and subsection (9) of this section, there shall be first deducted and paid the amount necessary to pay the expenses of the Office of State Aid Road Construction, as authorized by the Legislature for all other general and special fund agencies. The remainder of the fund shall be allocated monthly to the several counties in accordance with the following formula:

(a) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to all counties in equal shares;

(b) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the total number of rural road miles in a county bears to the total number of rural road miles in all counties of the state; and

(c) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the rural population of the county bears to the total rural population in all counties of the state, according to the latest federal decennial census.

For the purposes of this subsection, the term "gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes" means such taxes as defined in paragraph (f) of Section 27-5-101.

The amount of funds allocated to any county under this subsection for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1994 shall not be less than the amount allocated to such county for fiscal year 1994. Monies allocated to a county from the State Aid Road Fund for fiscal year 1995 or any fiscal year thereafter that exceed the amount of funds allocated to that county from the State Aid Road Fund for fiscal year 1994, first must be expended by the county for replacement or rehabilitation of bridges on the state aid road system that have a sufficiency rating of less than twenty-five (25), according to National Bridge Inspection standards before such monies may be approved for expenditure by the State Aid Road Engineer on other projects that qualify for the use of state aid road funds.

Any reference in the general laws of this state or the Mississippi Code of 1972 to Section 27-5-105 shall mean and be construed to refer and apply to subsection (4) of Section 27-65-75.

(5) One Million Six Hundred Sixty-six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-six Dollars ($1,666,666.00) each month shall be paid into the special fund known as the "State Public School Building Fund" created and existing under the provisions of Sections 37-47-1 through 37-47-67. Such payments into said fund are to be made on the last day of each succeeding month hereafter.

(6) An amount each month beginning August 15, 1983, through November 15, 1986, as specified in Section 6 of Chapter 542, Laws of 1983, shall be paid into the special fund known as the Correctional Facilities Construction Fund created in Section 6 of Chapter 542, Laws of 1983.

(7) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter, two and two hundred sixty-six one-thousandths percent (2.266%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2) shall be deposited by the commission into the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created pursuant to Section 37-61-35.

(8) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter, nine and seventy-three one-thousandths percent (9.073%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2) shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created pursuant to Section 37-61-33.

(9) On or before August 15, 1994, and each succeeding month thereafter, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month, Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be paid into the State Aid Road Fund.

(10) On or before August 15, 1994, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 1995, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month, Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) shall be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before February 15, 1995, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2) and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property as defined in Section 27-51-101 shall be deposited, without diversion, into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(12) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before August 15, 1995, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(1) on retail sales of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property, as defined in Section 27-51-101 and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of these vehicles, shall be deposited, after diversion, into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(13) On or before July 15, 1994, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month thereafter, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-22, which is derived from activities held on the Mississippi state fairgrounds complex, shall be paid into a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury and shall be expended pursuant to legislative appropriations solely to defray the costs of repairs and renovation at such Trade Mart and Coliseum.

(14) On or before August 15, 1998, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2005, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-23 which is derived from sales by cotton compresses or cotton warehouses and which would otherwise be paid into the General Fund, shall be deposited in an amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) into the special fund created pursuant to Section 69-37-39.

(15) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before September 15, 2000, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-19(f), shall be deposited, without diversion, into the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 4 of Senate Bill No. 2512, 2000 Regular Session.

(16) The remainder of the amounts collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Fund.

(17) It shall be the duty of the municipal officials of any municipality which expands its limits, or of any community which incorporates as a municipality, to notify the commissioner of such action thirty (30) days before the effective date. Failure to so notify the commissioner shall cause such municipality to forfeit the revenue which it would have been entitled to receive during this period of time when the commissioner had no knowledge of the action. If any funds have been erroneously disbursed to any municipality or any overpayment of tax is recovered by the taxpayer, the commissioner may make correction and adjust the error or overpayment with such municipality by withholding the necessary funds from any subsequent payment to be made to the municipality.

27-65-75. On or before the fifteenth day of each month, the revenue collected under the provisions of this chapter during the preceding month shall be paid and distributed as follows:

(1) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 1993, eighteen percent (18%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution to such municipality and paid to such municipal corporation. On or before August 15, 1993, and each succeeding month thereafter, eighteen and one-half percent (18-1/2%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Sections 27-65-15, 27-65-19(3) and 27-65-21, on business activities within a municipal corporation shall be allocated for distribution to such municipality and paid to such municipal corporation.

A municipal corporation, for the purpose of distributing the tax under this subsection, shall mean and include all incorporated cities, towns and villages.

Monies allocated for distribution and credited to a municipal corporation under this subsection may be pledged as security for any loan received by the municipal corporation for the purpose of capital improvements as authorized under Section 57-1-303, or loans as authorized under Section 57-44-7, or water systems improvements as authorized under Section 41-3-16.

In any county having a county seat which is not an incorporated municipality, the distribution provided hereunder shall be made as though the county seat was an incorporated municipality; however, the distribution to such municipality shall be paid to the county treasury wherein the municipality is located and such funds shall be used for road, bridge and street construction or maintenance therein.

(2) On or before September 15, 1987, and each succeeding month thereafter, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month One Million One Hundred Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($1,125,000.00) shall be allocated for distribution to municipal corporations as defined under subsection (1) of this section in the proportion that the number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in each such municipality during the preceding fiscal year bears to the total gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in municipalities statewide during the preceding fiscal year. The State Tax Commission shall require all distributors of gasoline and diesel fuel to report to the commission monthly the total number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by them to consumers and retailers in each municipality during the preceding month. The State Tax Commission shall have the authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as is necessary to determine the number of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold by distributors to consumers and retailers in each municipality. In determining the percentage allocation of funds under this subsection for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1987, and ending June 30, 1988, the State Tax Commission may consider gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel sold for a period of less than one (1) fiscal year. For the purposes of this subsection, the term "fiscal year" means the fiscal year beginning July 1 of a year.

(3) On or before September 15, 1987, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month, until the date specified in Section 65-39-35, the proceeds derived from contractors' taxes levied under Section 27-65-21 on contracts for the construction or reconstruction of highways designated under the Four-Lane Highway Program created under Section 65-3-97 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 31-17-127, be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Highway Fund to be used to fund such Four-Lane Highway Program. The Mississippi Department of Transportation shall provide to the State Tax Commission such information as is necessary to determine the amount of proceeds to be distributed under this subsection.

(4) On or before August 15, 1994, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month through July 15, 1999, from the proceeds of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes as provided in Section 27-5-101(a)(ii)1, Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of a special fund designated as the "State Aid Road Fund," created by Section 65-9-17. On or before August 15, 1999, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month, from the total amount of the proceeds of gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes apportioned by Section 27-5-101(a)(ii), Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00) or an amount equal to twenty-three and one-fourth percent (23.25%) of such funds, whichever is the greater amount, shall be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the "State Aid Road Fund," created by Section 65-9-17. Such funds shall be pledged to pay the principal of and interest on state aid road bonds heretofore issued under Sections 19-9-51 through 19-9-77, in lieu of and in substitution for the funds heretofore allocated to counties under this section. Such funds may not be pledged for the payment of any state aid road bonds issued after April 1, 1981; however, this prohibition against the pledging of any such funds for the payment of bonds shall not apply to any bonds for which intent to issue such bonds has been published, for the first time, as provided by law prior to March 29, 1981. From the amount of taxes paid into the special fund pursuant to this subsection and subsection (9) of this section, there shall be first deducted and paid the amount necessary to pay the expenses of the Office of State Aid Road Construction, as authorized by the Legislature for all other general and special fund agencies. The remainder of the fund shall be allocated monthly to the several counties in accordance with the following formula:

(a) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to all counties in equal shares;

(b) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the total number of rural road miles in a county bears to the total number of rural road miles in all counties of the state; and

(c) One-third (1/3) shall be allocated to counties based on the proportion that the rural population of the county bears to the total rural population in all counties of the state, according to the latest federal decennial census.

For the purposes of this subsection, the term "gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene taxes" means such taxes as defined in paragraph (f) of Section 27-5-101.

The amount of funds allocated to any county under this subsection for any fiscal year after fiscal year 1994 shall not be less than the amount allocated to such county for fiscal year 1994. Monies allocated to a county from the State Aid Road Fund for fiscal year 1995 or any fiscal year thereafter that exceed the amount of funds allocated to that county from the State Aid Road Fund for fiscal year 1994, first must be expended by the county for replacement or rehabilitation of bridges on the state aid road system that have a sufficiency rating of less than twenty-five (25), according to National Bridge Inspection standards before such monies may be approved for expenditure by the State Aid Road Engineer on other projects that qualify for the use of state aid road funds.

Any reference in the general laws of this state or the Mississippi Code of 1972 to Section 27-5-105 shall mean and be construed to refer and apply to subsection (4) of Section 27-65-75.

(5) One Million Six Hundred Sixty-six Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-six Dollars ($1,666,666.00) each month shall be paid into the special fund known as the "State Public School Building Fund" created and existing under the provisions of Sections 37-47-1 through 37-47-67. Such payments into said fund are to be made on the last day of each succeeding month hereafter.

(6) An amount each month beginning August 15, 1983, through November 15, 1986, as specified in Section 6 of Chapter 542, Laws of 1983, shall be paid into the special fund known as the Correctional Facilities Construction Fund created in Section 6 of Chapter 542, Laws of 1983.

(7) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter, two and two hundred sixty-six one-thousandths percent (2.266%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2), not to exceed the fiscal year 1997 appropriated level shall be deposited by the commission into the School Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund created pursuant to Section 37-61-35, with the balance to be transferred to the Education Enhancement Fund created under Section 37-61-33 for appropriation by the Legislature as other education needs and not subject to the percentage set asides set forth in Section 37-61-33.

(8) On or before August 15, 1992, and each succeeding month thereafter, nine and seventy-three one-thousandths percent (9.073%) of the total sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of this chapter, except that collected under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2) shall be deposited into the Education Enhancement Fund created pursuant to Section 37-61-33.

(9) On or before August 15, 1994, and each succeeding month thereafter, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month, Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) shall be paid into the State Aid Road Fund.

(10) On or before August 15, 1994, and each succeeding month thereafter through August 15, 1995, from the revenue collected under this chapter during the preceding month, Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) shall be deposited into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(11) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before February 15, 1995, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(2) and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property as defined in Section 27-51-101 shall be deposited, without diversion, into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(12) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before August 15, 1995, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-17(1) on retail sales of private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property, as defined in Section 27-51-101, and the corresponding levy in Section 27-65-23 on the rental or lease of these vehicles, shall be deposited, after diversion, into the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 27-51-105.

(13) On or before July 15, 1994, and on or before the fifteenth day of each succeeding month thereafter, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-22, which is derived from activities held on the Mississippi state fairgrounds complex, shall be paid into a special fund hereby created in the State Treasury and shall be expended pursuant to legislative appropriations solely to defray the costs of repairs and renovation at such Trade Mart and Coliseum.

(14) On or before August 15, 1998, and each succeeding month thereafter through July 15, 2005, that portion of the avails of the tax imposed in Section 27-65-23 which is derived from sales by cotton compresses or cotton warehouses and which would otherwise be paid into the General Fund, shall be deposited in an amount not to exceed Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) into the special fund created pursuant to Section 69-37-39.

(15) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, on or before September 15, 2000, and each succeeding month thereafter, the sales tax revenue collected during the preceding month under the provisions of Section 27-65-19(f), shall be deposited, without diversion, into the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund established in Section 4 of Senate Bill No. 2512, 2000 Regular Session.

(16) The remainder of the amounts collected under the provisions of this chapter shall be paid into the State Treasury to the credit of the General Fund.

(17) It shall be the duty of the municipal officials of any municipality which expands its limits, or of any community which incorporates as a municipality, to notify the commissioner of such action thirty (30) days before the effective date. Failure to so notify the commissioner shall cause such municipality to forfeit the revenue which it would have been entitled to receive during this period of time when the commissioner had no knowledge of the action. If any funds have been erroneously disbursed to any municipality or any overpayment of tax is recovered by the taxpayer, the commissioner may make correction and adjust the error or overpayment with such municipality by withholding the necessary funds from any subsequent payment to be made to the municipality.

SECTION 8. Section 27-35-319, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-35-319. * * * Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 27-35-31, 27-35-309, 27-35-317 and 27-35-323, when all the property of a telephone company is located in not more than six (6) counties, it shall be assessed and taxed as that of a person; and the laws, providing for the assessment and collection of taxes on the property of persons, shall apply to the assessment and collection of taxes on the property of such companies. All shares or certificates of stock issued by any such corporation or company shall be exempt from taxation and shall not be returned for assessment. Its land and tangible personal property shall be assessed and taxed where situated on the first day of January of the year.

SECTION 9. Section 27-35-163, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-35-163. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, any person, firm or corporation aggrieved by an order of the State Tax Commission assessing property for the purpose of ad valorem taxation may, within twenty (20) days after the adjournment of the meeting at which such assessment is made final, appeal with supersedeas as to the amount of taxes in controversy to the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, or to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located, or to the circuit court of any county in which such person, firm or corporation whose property is assessed resides, upon giving bond with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the clerk of such court, in a sum equal to the amount of taxes due on the contested value of such property as assessed by the State Tax Commission, but never less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), payable to the state and conditioned to perform the judgment of the circuit court. The ad valorem taxes due on the uncontested portion of the value as set by the State Tax Commission shall be due and payable at the same time as all other ad valorem taxes are for real and personal property. The person, firm or corporation who appeals shall file with the clerk of the circuit court a petition for appeal and review, together with said bond herein provided for, and the clerk shall thereupon give notice to the State Tax Commission. The State Tax Commission shall file with the clerk of the circuit court where said petition is pending a copy of its order, or orders, making the assessment within twenty (20) days after the receipt of such notice, and the matter of assessing such property shall be heard de novo by the circuit court at the first term of said court thereafter, or by the judge of the circuit court in vacation, by agreement of the parties, without a jury, and such proceeding shall be given preference over other pending matters in said court. After hearing the evidence, the circuit court, or the judge thereof in vacation, shall make an order setting aside, modifying or affirming the order of the State Tax Commission. A copy of such order shall be certified by the clerk of said court to the State Tax Commission, which shall conform thereto.

If the order of the State Tax Commission assessing said property be affirmed, then the person, firm or corporation who appealed, and the sureties on the appeal bond, shall be liable to the state for damages at the rate of ten percent (10%) on the amount of taxes in controversy, and all cost of such appeal.

If the state shall be aggrieved by an order of the State Tax Commission as to the assessment of such property for ad valorem taxes, the Attorney General or the district attorney, if all the property sought to be taxed is located within the judicial district for which such district attorney is elected, may, within twenty (20) days after the adjournment of the meeting at which such assessment is made final, appeal to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located or of any county in which the taxpayer resides, in like manner as in the case of any person, firm or corporation aggrieved as hereinbefore provided, except no bonds shall be required of the Attorney General or district attorney who may appeal. Upon the filing of a petition for appeal or review as herein provided, the clerk of the court in which said petition is filed shall thereupon issue process to the person, firm or corporation whose property is assessed, and such person, firm or corporation shall plead to said petition within twenty (20) days after the receipt of said notice.

In the event both the taxpayer and the state appeal, then the matter shall be heard by the circuit court of the county in which the petition for appeal was first filed, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

Any taxpayer aggrieved by an order of the circuit court may appeal, with supersedeas, to the Supreme Court by giving bond in the amount and conditioned as provided in the preceding paragraphs hereof.

The officer who appealed the matter from the order of the State Tax Commission may have an appeal to the Supreme Court without bond.

In the event the appeal by the taxpayer delays the collection of the tax due by him, then such taxpayer shall be liable for and shall pay, at the time the taxes are paid to the tax collector whose duty it is to collect the taxes, interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from the date the taxes were due until paid.

(2) Any telephone company operating in more than six (6) counties, which is aggrieved by an order of the State Tax Commission, may, within twenty (20) days after the adjournment of the meeting at which such assessment is made final, appeal without bond as to the amount of taxes in controversy to the Circuit Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, or to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located, or to the circuit court of any county in which such telephone company resides. Notwithstanding such appeal, all of the ad valorem taxes due on the value as set by the State Tax Commission shall be due and payable at the same time as all other ad valorem taxes are for real and personal property; provided, however, that the ad valorem taxes due on the contested portion of such value shall be paid under protest. Such telephone company shall file with the clerk of the circuit court a petition for appeal and review and the clerk shall thereupon give notice to the State Tax Commission. The State Tax Commission shall file with the clerk of the circuit court where said petition is pending a copy of its order, or orders, making the assessment within twenty (20) days after the receipt of such notice, and the matter of assessing such property shall be heard de novo by the circuit court at the first term of said court thereafter, or by the judge of the circuit court in vacation, by agreement of the parties, without a jury, and such proceeding shall be given preference over other pending matters in said court. After hearing the evidence, the circuit court, or the judge thereof in vacation, shall make an order setting aside, modifying or affirming the order of the State Tax Commission. A copy of such order shall be certified by the clerk of the said court to the State Tax Commission, which shall conform thereto.

If the state shall be aggrieved by an order of the State Tax Commission as to the assessment of such property for ad valorem taxes, the Attorney General or the district attorney, if all the property sought to be taxed is located within the judicial district for which such district attorney is elected, may, within twenty (20) days after the adjournment of the meeting at which such assessment is made final, appeal without bond to the circuit court of any county in which the property, or any part thereof, is located or of any county in which such telephone company resides. Upon the filing of a petition for appeal or review as herein provided, the clerk of the court in which said petition is filed shall thereupon issue process to such telephone company, and such telephone company shall plead to said petition within twenty (20) days after the receipt of said notice.

In the event both the telephone company and the state appeal, then the matter shall be heard by the circuit court of the county in which the petition for appeal was first filed, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

Any such telephone company aggrieved by an order of the circuit court may appeal without bond to the Supreme Court.

The officer who appealed the matter from the order of the State Tax Commission may have an appeal to the Supreme Court without bond.

If the value as set by the State Tax Commission is reduced by the courts as a result of appeals filed by such telephone company, the ad valorem taxes attributable to such reduction shall be disposed of by each affected local taxing district in the following manner:

(a) (i) Such local telephone company shall be entitled to a refund equal to the amount of ad valorem taxes paid by such company to the taxing district which are attributable to such reduction in value, less the portion of any refunds previously received by such telephone company pursuant to Section 3 of Senate Bill No. 2512, 2000 Regular Session, which are attributable to such reduction in value.

(ii) If the taxing district has not paid the full amount of the refund required by this subsection by the time that ad valorem taxes become due and payable by such telephone company to such taxing district for any subsequent year or years, such telephone company shall be entitled to take a credit against the ad valorem tax liability for such subsequent year or years up to the total amount of the refund owed to such telephone company pursuant to this paragraph (a).

(b) (i) The remaining portion of the ad valorem taxes attributable to such reduction shall be paid by the taxing district to the state, and such amount shall be credited to the Telecommunications Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund.

(ii) To the extent that the taxing district has not fully paid to the state the amount required by this subsection, any monies due by the state to such local taxing jurisdiction shall be offset until such amount is fully paid.

SECTION 10. Section 27-51-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-51-105. (1) There is created in the State Treasury a special fund to be known as the Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund, into which shall be deposited the monies specified in Section 27-65-75(10), (11) and (12), such monies as may be required to be transferred into such fund pursuant to Section 3 of Senate Bill No. 2512, 2000 Regular Session, and such other monies as the Legislature may provide by appropriation. The monies in the fund shall be used for the purpose of making payments to counties for the reduction in motor vehicle ad valorem tax revenues incurred by local taxing districts in the county as a result of the ad valorem tax credit for private carriers of passengers and light carriers of property that is provided for by Section 27-51-103.

(2) The Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund shall be administered by the State Tax Commission, and monies in the fund shall be expended upon appropriation by the Legislature. Unexpended amounts remaining in the fund at the end of the state 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 11. If any material provision of this act is declared to be void, or if for any reason is declared to be invalid or of no effect, the remaining provisions of this act shall be void and of no effect.

SECTION 12. Section 6 of this act shall be effective with respect to taxable services reflected on bills submitted by telecommunications service providers to their customers which are dated on or after July 1, 2000, regardless of when such services are provided. Section 9 of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after January 1, 2001. The remaining provisions of this act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.