House Bill 689

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE RESIDENT INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAXPAYERS TO DESIGNATE ANY PORTION OF THEIR TAX REFUND FOR CONTRIBUTION TO THE MISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS FOUNDATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI COMMISSION ON WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS TO SOLICIT AND RECEIVE GIFTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE MISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS FOUNDATION AND TRANSFER SUCH GIFTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FOUNDATION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Each resident individual taxpayer who files a Mississippi income tax return and who will receive a tax refund from the State Tax Commission may designate that a contribution be made to the "Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Foundation" by marking the appropriate box printed on the return pursuant to this subsection. In the case of a joint return, each spouse may designate that a portion of the refund shall be paid to such foundation.

The State Tax Commission shall print on the Mississippi income tax form for residents a space for designating the contribution in substantially the following form:

"MISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS FOUNDATION

I wish to contribute ( ) $1 ( ) $5 ( ) $10 ( ) Other $____ of my TAX REFUND TO THE MISSISSIPPI WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS FOUNDATION."

(2) The State Tax Commission shall explain in the instructions accompanying the individual income tax form the purposes for which the contributions authorized herein shall be used.

(3) This section shall apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2006.

(4) The Chairman of the State Tax Commission shall determine annually the total amount designated by individuals to be paid to the foundation, along with all interest earned thereon, and shall report such amount to the State Treasurer who shall pay such amount to the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Foundation.

SECTION 2. The Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks may solicit and receive gifts, donations, contributions and other monies, including bequests and devises, on behalf of the Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Foundation and, upon receipt thereof, shall transfer and remit such gifts, donations, contributions and monies so received to the foundation for its use.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.