MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2010 Regular Session

To: Finance

By: Senator(s) Kirby

Senate Bill 3075

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-4-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF TAX APPEALS TO OBTAIN, REVIEW, RECEIVE INTO EVIDENCE AND OTHERWISE EXAMINE AND CONSIDER APPLICATIONS, RETURNS, REPORTS AND ANY PARTICULARS SET FORTH OR DISCLOSED IN ANY APPLICATION REPORT OR RETURN REQUIRED ON ANY TAXES COLLECTED BY REPORTS RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION RECEIVED, GENERATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR REVENUE; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-3-73, 27-7-83, 27-13-57 AND 27-65-81, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT CERTAIN CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION MAY BE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO THE BOARD OF TAX APPEALS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-123, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE TO EXCHANGE ANY INFORMATION IT MAY HAVE ON COMMERCIAL VEHICLES WITH ANY AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI OR ANY OTHER STATE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE SAFETY OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-136, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLE PRIVILEGE TAXES AND NOTICE OF TERMS OF PAYMENT OF SUCH TAXES MAY BE BY REGULAR MAIL INSTEAD OF CERTIFIED MAIL; TO AMEND SECTIONS 27-77-1, 27-77-11, 27-77-12, 27-77-13 AND 27-77-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE APPEALS TO THE BOARD OF REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND THE BOARD OF TAX APPEALS OF THE DENIAL, REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE REGISTRATION OF A VEHICLE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNATIONAL REGISTRATION PLAN; TO AMEND SECTIONS 67-1-71 AND 67-1-72, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO MAKE CERTAIN TECHNICAL CHANGES TO THE LOCAL OPTION ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-4-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-4-3. (1) The Board of Tax Appeals shall have the following powers and duties:

(a) To adopt, amend or repeal those rules or regulations necessary to implement the duties assigned to the board.

(b) To have jurisdiction over all administrative appeals to the board from decisions of the review board and administrative hearing officers of the Department of Revenue under Sections 27-77-5, 27-77-9, 27-77-11 and 27-77-12, to arrange the time and place of the hearing on any such appeal, and where required, to arrange for any evidence presented to the board at such hearing to be transcribed or otherwise preserved for purposes of making a record of the hearing.

(c) To have jurisdiction over all administrative appeals regarding certain decisions and actions by the Department of Revenue under the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, Section 67-1-1 et seq., and under the Mississippi Native Wine Law of 1976, Section 67-5-1 et seq., as provided for under Section 67-1-72, to arrange the time and place of the hearing on any such appeal and to arrange for any evidence presented to the board at such hearing to be transcribed or otherwise preserved for purposes of making a record of the hearing.

(d) To have jurisdiction over all administrative appeals under Sections 27-33-37 and 27-33-41 to the board from decisions of the Department of Revenue to deny an objection of a board of supervisors to the rejection by the Department of Revenue of an application for homestead exemption and to arrange the time and place of the hearing on any such appeal.

(e) To have jurisdiction over all administrative appeals under Section 27-35-113 to the board from the decision of the Department of Revenue regarding its examination of the recapitulations of the assessment rolls of a county and to arrange the time and place of the hearing on any such appeal.

(f) To have jurisdiction to hear any objection to an assessment by the Department of Revenue pursuant to Section 27-35-311, 27-35-517 or 27-35-703 and to arrange the time and place of the hearing on any such objection.

(g) To perform all other duties which are now or may hereafter be imposed upon the board by law.

(h) To obtain, review, receive into evidence and/or otherwise examine and consider applications, returns, reports and any particulars set forth or disclosed in any application report or return required on any taxes collected by reports received by the Department of Revenue and any other documents and information received, generated and/or maintained by the Department of Revenue. The authority of the board under this paragraph is not barred or otherwise restricted by the confidentiality of such documents and information under Sections 27-3-73, 27-7-83, 27-13-57 and/or 27-65-81, and the disclosure of such documents and information to the board shall be an exception to the prohibition on disclosure of such documents and information contained in Sections 27-3-73, 27-7-83, 27-13-57 and/or 27-65-81.

(2) Each member of the board is empowered to administer and certify oaths.

(3) Each member of the board is empowered to perform all other duties which are now or may hereafter be imposed on him by law.

SECTION 2. Section 27-3-73, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-3-73. (1) Except in accordance with proper judicial order or as authorized in Section 27-4-3, it shall be unlawful for the Commissioner of Revenue, or any deputy, agent, clerk or other officer or employee of the Department of Revenue, to divulge or make known in any manner the amount of income or any particulars set forth or disclosed in any report or return required on any taxes collected by reports received by the Department of Revenue. This provision relates to all taxes collected by the Department of Revenue and not referred to in Sections 27-7-83, 27-13-57 and 27-65-81, requiring confidentiality of income tax, franchise tax and sales tax returns. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the publication of statistics, so classified as to prevent the identification of particular reports or returns and the items thereof, or the inspection by the Attorney General, or any other attorney representing the state, of the report or return of any taxpayer who shall bring action to set aside the tax thereon, or against whom an action or proceeding has been instituted to recover any tax or penalty imposed. Additionally, nothing in this section shall prohibit the Commissioner of Revenue from making available information necessary to recover taxes owing the state pursuant to the authority granted in Section 27-75-16, Mississippi Code of 1972.

The term "proper judicial order" as used in this section shall not include subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum but shall include only those orders entered by a court of record in this state after furnishing notice and a hearing to the taxpayer and the Department of Revenue. The court shall not authorize the furnishing of such information unless it is satisfied that the information is needed to pursue pending litigation wherein the return itself is in issue, or the judge is satisfied that the need for furnishing the information outweighs the rights of the taxpayer to have such information secreted.

However, information relating to possible tax liability to other states or the federal government may be furnished to the revenue departments of those states or the federal government when the states or federal government grant a like comity to Mississippi.

(2) The State Auditor and the employees of his office shall have the right to examine only such tax returns as are necessary for auditing the Department of Revenue, and the same prohibitions against disclosure which apply to the Department of Revenue shall apply to the State Auditor and his office.

(3) Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned not more than six (6) months in the county jail, or both.

SECTION 3. Section 27-7-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-7-83. (1) Returns and return information filed or furnished under the provisions of this chapter shall be confidential, and except in accordance with proper judicial order, * * * as otherwise authorized by this section or as authorized in Section 27-4-3, it shall be unlawful for the Commissioner of Revenue or * * * any deputy, agent, clerk or other officer or employee of the Department of Revenue or the Department of Information Technology, or any former employee thereof, to divulge or make known in any manner the amount of income or any particulars set forth or disclosed in any report or return required. The provisions of this section shall apply fully to any federal return, a copy of any portion of a federal return, or any information reflected on a federal return which is attached to or made a part of the state tax return. Likewise, the provisions of this section shall apply to any federal return or portion thereof, or to any federal return information data which is acquired from the Internal Revenue Service for state tax administration purposes pursuant to the Federal-State Exchange Program cited at Section 6103, Federal Internal Revenue Code. The term "proper judicial order" as used in this section shall not include subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum, but shall include only those orders entered by a court of record in this state after furnishing notice and a hearing to the taxpayer and the Department of Revenue. The court shall not authorize the furnishing of such information unless it is satisfied that the information is needed to pursue pending litigation wherein the return itself is in issue, or the judge is satisfied that the need for furnishing the information outweighs the rights of the taxpayer to have such information secreted.

(2) Returns and return information with respect to taxes imposed by this chapter shall be open to inspection by or disclosure to the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service of the United States, or the proper officer of any state imposing an income tax similar to that imposed by this chapter, or the authorized representatives of such agencies. Such inspection shall be permitted, or such disclosure made, only upon written request by the head of such agencies, or the district director in the case of the Internal Revenue Service, and only to the representatives of such agencies designated in a written statement to the commissioner as the individuals who are to inspect or to receive the return or return information on behalf of such agency. The commissioner is authorized to enter into agreements with the Internal Revenue Service and with other states for the exchange of returns and return information data, or the disclosure of returns or return information data to such agencies, only to the extent that the statutes of the United States or of such other state, as the case may be, grant substantially similar privileges to the proper officer of this state charged with the administration of the tax laws of this state.

(3) (a) The return of a person shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to:

(i) In the case of the return of an individual, that individual;

(ii) In the case of an income tax return filed jointly, either of the individuals with respect to whom the return is filed;

(iii) In the case of the return of a partnership, any person who was a member of such partnership during any part of the period covered by the return;

(iv) In the case of the return of a corporation or a subsidiary thereof, any person designated by resolution of its board of directors or other similar governing body, or any officer or employee of such corporation upon written request signed by any principal officer and attested to by the secretary or other officer;

(v) In the case of the return of an estate, the administrator, executor or trustee of such estate, and any heir at law, next of kin or beneficiary under the will, of the decedent, but only to the extent that such latter persons have a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein;

(vi) In the case of the return of a trust, the trustee or trustees, jointly or separately, and any beneficiary of such trust, but only to the extent that such beneficiary has a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein;

(vii) In the case of the return of an individual or a return filed jointly, any claimant agency seeking to collect a debt through the set-off procedure established in Sections 27-7-701 through 27-7-713 and Sections 27-7-501 through 27-7-519, from an individual with respect to whom the return is filed.

(b) If an individual described in paragraph (a) is legally incompetent, the applicable return shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to the committee, trustee or guardian of his estate.

(c) If substantially all of the property of the person with respect to whom the return is filed is in the hands of a trustee in bankruptcy or receiver, such return or returns for prior years of such person shall, upon written request, be open to inspection by or disclosure to such trustee or receiver, but only if the commissioner finds that such receiver or trustee, in his fiduciary capacity, has a material interest which will be affected by information contained therein.

(d) Any return to which this section applies shall, upon written request, also be open to inspection by or disclosure to the attorney-in-fact duly authorized in writing by any of the persons described in paragraph (a) of this subsection to inspect the return or receive the information on his behalf, subject to the conditions provided in paragraph (a).

(e) Return information with respect to any taxpayer may be open to inspection by or disclosure to any person authorized by this subsection to inspect any return of such taxpayer if the commissioner determines that such disclosure would not seriously impair state tax administration.

(4) The State Auditor and the employees of his office shall have the right to examine only such tax returns as are necessary for auditing the Department of Revenue, and the same prohibitions against disclosure which apply to the Department of Revenue shall apply to the State Auditor and his employees or former employees.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the publication of statistics, so classified as to prevent the identification of particular reports or returns and the items thereof, or the inspection by the Attorney General, or any other attorney representing the state, of the report or return of any taxpayer who shall bring action to set aside the tax thereon, or against whom any action or proceeding has been instituted to recover any tax or penalty imposed.

(6) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the commissioner from making available information necessary to recover taxes owing the state pursuant to the authority granted in Section 27-75-16, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(7) Reports and returns required under the provisions of this chapter shall be preserved in accordance with approved records control schedules. No records, however, may be destroyed without the approval of the Director of the Department of Archives and History.

(8) The department is authorized to disclose to the Child Support Unit of the Department of Human Services the name, address, social security number, amount of income, source of income and assets for individuals who are delinquent in the payment of any child support as defined in Section 93-11-101, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(9) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the department from exchanging information with the federal government that is necessary to offset income tax refund payment on debts owed to this state of the United States.

SECTION 4. Section 27-13-57, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-13-57. (1) Except in accordance with the proper judicial order, * * * as otherwise provided in this section or as authorized in Section 27-4-3, it shall be unlawful for the members of the Commissioner of Revenue or any deputy, agent, clerk or other officer or employee of the Department of Revenue to divulge or make known in any manner any particulars set forth or disclosed in any report or return required under this chapter. When a combined report or return is filed as authorized by Section 27-13-17(5), each report or return which composes the combined return shall be considered separate for the purpose of any examinations authorized in this section and only particulars relating to the specific return or report set forth in the judicial order or as otherwise provided shall be considered lawfully divulged. The term "proper judicial order" as used in this section shall not include subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum, but shall include only those orders entered by a court of record in this state after furnishing notice and a hearing to the taxpayer and the Department of Revenue. The court shall not authorize the furnishing of such information unless it is satisfied that the information is needed to pursue pending litigation wherein the return itself is in issue, or the judge is satisfied that the need for furnishing the information outweighs the rights of the taxpayer to have such information secreted. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the publication of statistics, so classified as to prevent the identification of particular reports or returns and the items thereof, or the inspection by the Attorney General or any other attorney representing the state of the report or return of any taxpayer who shall bring action to set aside or review the tax based thereon, or against whom an action or proceeding has been instituted to recover any tax or penalty imposed by this chapter. Reports and returns shall be preserved in accordance with approved records control schedules. No records, however, may be destroyed without the approval of the Director of the Department of Archives and History.

* * * However, * * * information relating to possible tax liability of other states or the federal government may be furnished to the revenue department of those states or the federal government when said states or federal government grant a like comity to Mississippi.

(3) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the commissioner from making available information necessary to recover taxes owing the state pursuant to the authority granted in Section 27-75-16, Mississippi Code of 1972.

(4) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year, or both, at the discretion of the court, and if the offender be an officer or employee of the state he shall be dismissed from office and be incapable of holding any public office in this state for a period of five (5) years thereafter.

SECTION 5. Section 27-65-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-65-81. (1) Applications, returns and information contained therein filed or furnished under this chapter shall be confidential, and except in accordance with proper judicial order, as otherwise authorized by this section or as authorized by Section 27-4-3, it shall be unlawful for * * * the Commissioner of Revenue * * * or any deputy, agent, clerk or other officer or employee of the Department of Revenue or Department of Information Technology Services, or any former employee thereof, to divulge or make known in any manner the amount of income or any particulars set forth or disclosed on any application, report or return required.

(2) Such information contained on the application, returns or reports may be furnished to:

(a) Members and employees of the Department of Revenue and the income tax department thereof, for the purpose of checking, comparing and correcting returns;

(b) The Attorney General, or any other attorney representing the state in any action in respect to the amount of tax under the provisions of this chapter; or

(c) The revenue department of other states or the federal government when said states or federal government grants a like comity to Mississippi.

(3) The State Auditor and the employees of his office shall have the right to examine only such tax returns as are necessary for auditing the Department of Revenue, and the same prohibitions against disclosure which apply to the Department of Revenue shall apply to the State Auditor and his office.

(4) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the commissioner from making available information necessary to recover taxes owing the state pursuant to the authority granted in Section 27-75-16, Mississippi Code of 1972.

SECTION 6. Section 27-19-123, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-123. (1) The department may, upon request duly received from officials entrusted with the enforcement of similar laws of any other state, forward to such officials any information requested by them with reference to such laws.

(2) The department is authorized to exchange any information it may have on commercial vehicles with any agency or department of the United States government, the State of Mississippi or any other state that is responsible for enforcement of laws, rules and regulations relating to the safety of commercial vehicles. In order to facilitate such exchange, information may be placed in a national database or clearinghouse.

SECTION 7. Section 27-19-136, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-19-136. (1) In addition to any other remedy provided in this article, the Commissioner of Revenue or his designated officers or agents, or the Executive Director of the Department of Transportation or his designated officers or agents are authorized to assess taxes and/or fines and penalties as provided by this article, notice of which assessment shall be delivered to the owner or operator or his agent at the time of assessment, by * * * mail or personal delivery, to be collected as hereinafter provided in this section.

(2) In lieu of seizure and impoundment of vehicles as provided by Section 27-19-135, the Commissioner of Revenue or Executive Director of the Department of Transportation may, in their discretion, authorize any owner or operator of a motor vehicle found to be operated in violation of the provisions of this article to execute and file with the Department of Revenue or Executive Director of the Department of Transportation a good and valid bond written by a surety company authorized to do business in this state in an amount equal to the taxes and/or fines and penalties assessed because of such violation conditioned upon the prompt payment when due of all such taxes and/or fines and penalties. If the Commissioner of Revenue or Executive Director of the Department of Transportation is satisfied that such owner or operator has property located in this state of value in excess of the amount of said taxes and/or fines and penalties, it may waive the bond requirement.

(3) If the Commissioner of Revenue or Executive Director of the Department of Transportation shall elect to assess taxes and/or fines and penalties imposed by this article under provisions of this section, it may authorize such terms for payment as shall be deemed appropriate over a period of time not to exceed six (6) months. Notice of such terms shall be given to the owner or operator by * * * mail or personal delivery.

(4) If the person thus assessed or liable for the payment of taxes and/or fines and penalties imposed by this article shall fail or refuse to make payment when due, the Commissioner of Revenue or Executive Director of the Department of Transportation may file notice of tax liens and issue warrants in the same manner and with the same effect as liens and warrants are issued and executed upon under the provisions of Sections 27-65-57 through 27-65-69.

(5) The authority granted to special agents in Section 27-65-91 * * * shall also apply with the same force and effect in the execution of warrants and orders issued under the provisions of this article and in making arrests of persons obstructing or seeking to obstruct the execution of such warrants or in serving any writ, notice or order connected with the enrolled judgment for which the warrant is issued under the provisions of this article.

(6) The Executive Director of the Department of Transportation shall designate certain officers or agents by written certificate of appointment under seal of the Department of Transportation, of which judicial notice shall be taken by all courts of this state. Such officers or agents, when in possession of a warrant issued under authority of this article, shall have all the powers and duties of the sheriff in the enforcement and execution of warrants and orders issued under the provisions of this article and in making arrests of persons obstructing or seeking to obstruct the execution of such warrants, or in serving any writ, notice or order connected with the enrolled judgment for which the warrant is issued under the provisions of this article.

(7) All administrative provisions of the Mississippi Sales Tax Law, including those which fix damages, penalties and interest for nonpayment of taxes, and for other noncompliance with the provisions of said chapter, and all other requirements and duties imposed upon taxpayers, shall apply to all persons liable for taxes under the provisions of this article, and the department shall exercise all power and authority and perform all the duties with respect to taxpayers under this article as are provided in said Sales Tax Law, except that in cases of conflict, then the provisions of this article shall control.

SECTION 8. Section 27-77-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-77-1. As used in this chapter:

(a) "Agency" means the commissioner acting directly or through his duly authorized officers, agents, representatives and employees, to perform duties and powers prescribed by the laws of this state to be performed by the Commissioner of Revenue or the Department of Revenue.

(b) "Board of review" means the board of review of the Department of Revenue as appointed by the commissioner under Section 27-77-3, and also means a panel of the board of review when an appeal is considered by a panel of the board of review instead of the board of review en banc.

(d) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Board of Tax Appeals.

(e) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue.

(f) "Denial" means the final decision of the staff of the agency to deny the claim, request for waiver or application being considered. In this context, staff of the agency does not include the board of review or the Board of Tax Appeals. "Denial" does not mean the act of returning or refusing to consider a claim, request for waiver or application for permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, title or tag by the staff of the agency due to a lack of information and/or documentation unless the return or refusal is in response to a representation by the person who filed the claim, request for waiver or application in issue that information and/or documentation indicated by the staff of the agency to be lacking cannot or will not be provided.

(g) "Designated representative" means an individual who represents a person in an administrative appeal before a hearing officer of the agency, before the board of review or before the Board of Tax Appeals.

(h) "Executive director" means the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals.

(i) "IFTA license" means a permit, license or decal which the agency is authorized to issue or revoke under the Interstate Commercial Carriers Motor Fuel Tax Law (Section 27-61-1 et seq.) or the International Fuel Tax Agreement.

(j) "IFTA licensee" means a person holding the IFTA license, applying for an IFTA license or renewing an IFTA license.

(k) "IRP registration" means the registration of a vehicle under the provisions of the International Registration Plan.

(l) "IRP registrant" means a person in whose name a vehicle or vehicles are registered under the provisions of the International Registration Plan.

(m) "IRP credentials" means the cab card and license plate issued by the commissioner or agency in accordance with the International Registration Plan.

(n) "Last known address" when referring to the mailing of a notice of intent to suspend, revoke or to order the surrender and/or seizure of the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, IRP credentials, tag or title or to the mailing of a denial of the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title, means the last mailing address of the person being sent the notice as it appears on the record of the agency in regard to the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title in issue. All other references to "last known address" in this chapter mean the official mailing address that the hearing officer, the board of review or the executive director has for the addressee in their file on the administrative appeal in which the document or item is being mailed to the addressee. The addressee is presumed to have received any document or item mailed to his official mailing address. The commissioner, by regulation, shall prescribe the procedure for establishing an official mailing address in the administrative appeal process for appeals before an administrative hearing officer or the Board of Review of the Department of Revenue and the procedure for changing that official mailing address. The Board of Tax Appeals, by regulation, shall prescribe the procedure for establishing an official mailing address in the administrative appeal process before that board and the procedure for changing that official mailing address. It is the responsibility of the addressee to make sure that his official mailing address is correct.

(o) "Mail," "mailed" or "mailing" means placing the document or item referred to in first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person to whom the document or item is to be sent at the last known address of that person. Where a person is represented in an administrative appeal before a hearing officer, the board of review or the Board of Tax Appeals by a designated representative, the terms "mail," "mailed" or "mailing" when referring to sending a document or item to that person shall also mean placing the document or item referred to in first-class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the last known address of that person's designated representative. Mailing to the designated representative of a taxpayer, permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder shall constitute mailing and notice to the taxpayer, permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder.

(p) "Permit" means a type of license or permit that the agency is authorized to issue, suspend or revoke, such as a sales tax permit, a beer permit, a tobacco permit, a dealer license, or designated agent status, but does not include:

(i) Any type of permit issued under the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, Section 67-1-1 et seq. or under the Mississippi Native Wine Law of 1976, Section 67-5-1 et seq.; * * *

(ii) An IFTA license; or

(iii) An IRP registration, including the IRP credential issued as a result of IRP registration.

(q) "Permittee" means a person holding a permit, applying for a permit or renewing a permit.

(r) "Person" means a natural person, partnership, limited partnership, corporation, limited liability company, estate, trust, association, joint venture, other legal entity or other group or combination acting as a unit, and includes the plural as well as the singular in number. "Person" includes the state, county, municipal, other political subdivision and any agency, institution or instrumentality thereof, but only when used in the context of a taxpayer, permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder.

(s) "Refund claim" means a claim made in writing by a taxpayer and received by the agency wherein the taxpayer indicates that he overpaid taxes to the agency and requests a refund of the overpayment and/or a credit against current or future taxes for the overpayment.

(t) "Resident," when used to describe a taxpayer or petitioner, means a natural person whose residence and place of abode is within the State of Mississippi.

(u) "Tag" means a type of license tag, plate or registration card for a motor vehicle or trailer that the agency is authorized under the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax Law, Section 27-19-1 et seq., or under the Motor Vehicle Dealer Tag Permit Law, Section 27-19-301 et seq., to issue or approve before issuance, but does not include other types of license tags or plates issued by the county tax collectors except for personalized license tags and only to the extent that the agency determines under Section 27-19-48 that a personalized license tag applied for is considered obscene, slandering, insulting or vulgar in ordinary usage or demands the surrender or orders the seizure of the tag where issued in error.

(v) "Tag holder" means the person in whose name a tag is registered or the person applying for a tag.

(w) "Tag penalty" means the penalties imposed under Sections 27-19-63 and 27-51-43 for any delinquency in the payment of motor vehicle privilege tax and ad valorem tax on a motor vehicle which can be waived by the agency for good reason shown. Pursuant to Section 27-51-103, imposition of this ad valorem tag penalty at the maximum rate of twenty-five percent (25%) also results in ineligibility for the credit against motor vehicle ad valorem taxes provided by that statute. Waiver of the twenty-five percent (25%) delinquency penalty by the agency under Section 27-51-43 shall reinstate credit eligibility.

(x) "Tax" means a tax, fee, penalty and/or interest which the agency is required by either general law or by local and private law to administer, assess and collect.

(y) "Taxpayer" means a person who is liable for or paid any tax to the agency.

(z) "Title" means a title to a motor vehicle or manufactured housing issued by the agency under the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Title Law, Section 63-21-1 et seq.

(aa) "Title interest holder" shall mean the owner or lienholder in a motor vehicle or manufactured housing as indicated on a title issued by the agency or as indicated on an application to the agency for the issuance of a title.

SECTION 9. Section 27-77-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-77-11. (1) If the agency determines that an application or request for a permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title issued or approved by the agency should be denied, the agency shall give the applicant for the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title written notice of the denial by mailing or hand delivering the notice to the applicant. In regard to the denial of an application for title, the designated agent who took the application and any other alleged title interest holders as appearing on the application shall also be mailed or hand delivered a copy of the agency's denial of the title application. If the applicant, or in the case of the denial of a title application, any title interest holder appearing on the title application, is aggrieved by the denial and wishes to contest the denial, he shall, within thirty (30) days from the date of the written notice of the denial, file an appeal in writing with the board of review requesting a hearing on the denial that specified in detail the relief requested and contains any other information required by regulation. Failure to timely file a written appeal with the board of review within this thirty-day period shall make final the agency's denial of the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title in issue and not subject to further review by the board of review, the Board of Tax Appeals or a court except as to the issue of whether a written appeal to the board of review was timely filed. Even if an appeal to the board of review is filed under this section, the agency retains jurisdiction to reverse its denial and issue or approve the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tax or title involved in the appeal.

(2) Upon receipt of a written appeal by the board of review from a denial of a permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title, a hearing shall be scheduled before the board of review unless it is determined that the relief requested in the written appeal should be granted without a hearing. A notice of the hearing shall be mailed to the person appealing advising him of the date, time and location of hearing. If the appeal involves the denial of a title, the notice of hearing shall also be mailed to all other title interest holders in the motor vehicle or manufactured housing in issue, including both those that appear on a current title and those that appear on the application that was denied. The notice may contain a statement as to the basis for the denial of the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title. The person appealing or his designated representative shall attend the hearing unless a request is made to and granted by the board of review to allow him to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission in lieu of attendance. Failure of the person appealing, or his designated representative, to attend a hearing or to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission in lieu of attendance by the date specified by the board of review or by the hearing date, if no date is specified, shall constitute a withdrawal of the appeal.

(3) At a hearing before the board of review on a denial of a permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title, the board of review shall try the issues presented, according to law and the facts and within the guidelines established by regulation. The hearing before the board of review shall be informal and no official transcript shall be made of the hearing. At the earliest practical date after the hearing, the members of the board of review that heard the appeal shall make a determination of the matter presented and notify the person appealing of its findings by mailing a copy of its order to that person. In the case of a hearing involving the denial of a title, the order shall also be mailed to all other title interest holders in the motor vehicle or manufactured housing in issue, including those that appear on a current title and those that appear on the application that was denied.

(4) The order of the board of review involving the denial of a permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title shall be final unless within thirty (30) days from the date of the order, the applicant appeals the order to the Board of Tax Appeals. In the case of an order of the board of review involving a review of the denial of a title, any title interest holder in the motor vehicle or manufactured housing in issue may appeal the order to the Board of Tax Appeals. The appeal shall be in writing, request a hearing and reversal or modification of the order of the board of review, specify in detail the relief requested, contain any other information that is required by regulation and be filed with the executive director with a copy sent to the board of review. Failure to timely file a written appeal with the executive director within the thirty-day period will make the order of the board of review being appealed final and not subject to further review by the Board of Tax Appeals or a court other than as to the issue of whether a written appeal from the order of the board of review was timely filed with the executive director. Even if an appeal to the Board of Tax Appeals is filed under this section, the board of review retains the authority to amend and/or correct its order being appealed prior to a decision by the Board of Tax Appeals on the appeal.

(5) Upon receipt of a written appeal from an order of the board of review involving the denial of a permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title, the executive director shall schedule a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on the appeal. A notice of the hearing shall be mailed to the person who filed the appeal and the agency to advise them of the date, time and location of hearing. In the case of an appeal from an order of the board of review involving the denial of a title, the notice of hearing shall also be mailed to all title interest holders in the motor vehicle or manufactured housing in issue. The person who filed the appeal or his designated representative shall attend the hearing. Failure of this person or his designated representative to attend a hearing shall constitute an involuntary withdrawal of the appeal.

(6) At any hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on an appeal of an order from the board of review involving the denial of a permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title, two (2) members of the Board of Tax Appeals shall constitute a quorum. At the hearing, the Board of Tax Appeals shall try the issues presented according to law and the facts and pursuant to any guidelines established by regulation. The rules of evidence shall be relaxed at the hearing and the hearing shall be taken down by a court reporter. After reaching a decision on the issues presented, the Board of Tax Appeals shall enter its order setting forth its findings and decision on the appeal. A copy of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals shall be mailed to the person who filed the appeal and the agency with the Board of Tax Appeals to notify them of the findings and decision of the Board of Tax Appeals. In the case of an appeal involving a title, a copy of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals shall also be mailed to all title interest holders in the motor vehicle or manufactured housing in issue.

(7) At any time after the filing of an appeal with the board of review, or from the board of review to the Board of Tax Appeals under this chapter, an appeal can be withdrawn. A withdrawal of an appeal may be made voluntarily by the person who filed the appeal or may occur involuntarily by the person failing to appear at a scheduled hearing, by failing to make a written submission or electronic transmission to the board of review in lieu of attendance by the date specified by the board or by the hearing date, if no date was specified, or by any other act or failure that the board of review or the Board of Tax Appeals determines represents a failure on the part of this person to prosecute his appeal. Any voluntary withdrawal shall be in writing or by electronic transmission and sent by the person appealing or his designated representative to the chairman of the board of review, if the appeal being withdrawn is to the board of review, or to the executive director, if the appeal being withdrawn is to the Board of Tax Appeals. If the withdrawal of appeal is involuntary, the administrative appeal body from whom the appeal is being withdrawn shall note on its minutes the involuntary withdrawal of the appeal and the basis for the withdrawal. Once an appeal is withdrawn, whether voluntary or involuntary, the action from which the appeal was taken, whether the original denial or the order of the board of review, shall become final and not subject to further review by the board of review, the Board of Tax Appeals or a court. The agency shall then proceed in accordance with law based on such final action.

SECTION 10. Section 27-77-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-77-12. (1) If the agency determines that there is a basis for revocation or suspension of an IFTA license, IRP registration, the agency shall give the IFTA licensee holding the IFTA license or the IRP registrant holding the IRP registration written notice of its intent to revoke or suspend his IFTA license or IRP registration. The notice of intent shall be mailed or hand delivered to the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant and shall set forth the facts and conduct that provide the basis for the intended revocation or suspension and shall advise the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant that he has thirty (30) days from the date of the notice to file with the board of review a written request for a hearing on the intended revocation or suspension. If the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant fails to file a written request with the board of review for a hearing on the intended revocation or suspension within the thirty-day period, the IFTA license or IRP registration shall be automatically revoked or suspended as set out in the notice or intent to revoke or suspend on the thirty-first day after the date of the notice without any further action by the agency. The agency retains jurisdiction to reinstate an IFTA license or IRP registration after revocation. Failure of the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant to timely file a written request for a hearing on the intended revocation will bar further review of the revocation or suspension by any court.

(2) If an IRP registration is revoked or suspended, the IRP registrant shall surrender to the agency all IRP credentials for his IRP registration, and if not surrendered, his IRP credentials are subject to seizure and/or removal from the IRP registrant and/or from the vehicle or vehicles.

(3) Upon receipt by the board of review of a timely filed written request for a hearing on the intended revocation or suspension of the IFTA license or IRP registration, the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant filing the request shall be advised of the date, time and location of a show cause hearing that will be held a minimum of thirty (30) days from the date of the notice. At the hearing, the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant shall show cause why his IFTA license or IRP registration should not be revoked. The show cause hearing shall be informal and the rules of evidence shall be relaxed. The hearing shall be conducted by the board of review or by a single hearing officer selected by the chairman of the board of review from a pool of qualified individuals designated by the commissioner to serve as administrative hearing officers. The IFTA licensee, IRP registrant or his designated representative shall attend the hearing unless a request is made to, and granted by, the board of review or the designated hearing officer to allow the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission in lieu of attending the hearing. Failure of the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant or his designated representative to attend a hearing or submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission in lieu of attendance by the date specified by the board of review or designated hearing officer or by the hearing date, if no date is specified, shall constitute an involuntary withdrawal of the appeal. As soon as practical after the show cause hearing, the hearing officer or the board of review shall make a determination as to whether the IFTA license or IRP registration should be revoked or suspended. The hearing officer or board of review shall enter an order based on this determination and a copy of this order shall be mailed to the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant notifying him of the decision and the action taken.

(4) The order of the hearing officer or the board of review in regard to a show cause hearing shall be final unless, within thirty (30) days from the date of the order, the IFTA licensee or IRP registrant appeals the order to the Board of Tax Appeals. The appeal shall be in writing and request a hearing and reversal or modification of the order of the hearing officer or board of review, specify in detail the relief requested, contain any other information that might be required by regulation and be filed with the executive director with a copy sent to the board of review. Even after an appeal is filed with the executive director, the board of review or hearing officer who entered the order appealed retains the authority to amend and/or correct this order at any time prior to a decision by the Board of Tax Appeals on the appeal.

(5) Upon receipt of a written appeal from an order of a hearing officer or the board of review regarding a show cause hearing on an IFTA license or IRP registration, the executive director shall schedule a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on the appeal. A notice of the hearing shall be mailed to the IFTA licensee, IRP registrant or his designated representative and the agency to advise them of the date, time and location of the hearing. The IFTA licensee, IRP registrant or his designated representative shall attend the hearing. Failure of the IFTA licensee, IRP registrant or his designated representative to attend a hearing shall constitute an involuntary withdrawal of the appeal.

(6) At any hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on an appeal of an order regarding a show cause hearing on an IFTA license or IRP registration, two (2) members of the Board of Tax Appeals shall constitute a quorum. At the hearing the Board of Tax Appeals shall try the issues presented according to law and the facts and pursuant to any guidelines established by regulation. The rules of evidence shall be relaxed at the hearing and the hearing shall be recorded by a court reporter. After reaching a decision on the issues presented, the Board of Tax Appeals shall enter an order setting forth its findings and decision on the appeal. A copy of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals shall be mailed to the person who filed the appeal and the agency to notify them of the findings and decision of the Board of Tax Appeals.

(7) At any time after the filing of a timely written request with the board of review for a hearing on the intended revocation of an IFTA license or IRP registration under this section, the request may be withdrawn. A withdrawal of a request for a hearing on the intended revocation or suspension may be made voluntarily by the person requesting the hearing or may occur involuntarily as a result of a failure to appear at a scheduled hearing, or by any other act or failure that the board of review or designated hearing officer determines represents a failure on the part of that person to pursue his request for a hearing on the intended revocation or suspension. A voluntary withdrawal shall be in writing or by electronic transmission and sent from the person requesting the hearing or his designated representative to the chairman of the board of review or the hearing officer designated to hear the matter. If the withdrawal of the request for a hearing is involuntary, the board of review or the hearing officer designated to hear the matter shall note on its minutes or by order the involuntary withdrawal of the request and the basis for the withdrawal. Once a request for hearing on the intended revocation or suspension is withdrawn, whether voluntary or involuntary, the IFTA license or IRP registration shall be automatically revoked or suspended as set out in the notice of intent being appealed.

(8) At any time after the filing of an appeal with the Board of Tax Appeals under this section, the appeal may be withdrawn. A withdrawal of an appeal can be made voluntarily by the person appealing or may occur involuntarily as the result of the failure to appear at a scheduled hearing, or by any other act or failure that the Board of Tax Appeals determines to represent a failure on the part of that person to prosecute his appeal. A voluntary withdrawal shall be in writing or by electronic transmission and sent from the person appealing or his designated representative to the executive director. If the withdrawal of the appeal is involuntary, the Board of Tax Appeals shall note on its minutes the involuntary withdrawal of the appeal and the basis for the withdrawal. Once an appeal is withdrawn under this section, whether voluntary or involuntary, the order from the show cause hearing from which the appeal was taken shall become final and not subject to further review by the Board of Tax Appeals or a court. The agency shall then proceed in accordance with law based on the final order.

SECTION 11. Section 27-77-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-77-13. (1) The findings and order of the Board of Tax Appeals entered in accordance with Section 27-77-9, 27-77-11 or Section 27-77-12, shall be final unless the agency or the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder, or title interest holder of the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title in regard to which action was taken in the order shall, within thirty (30) days from the date of the order, file a petition in chancery court seeking a review of the order. If a petition under this subsection is filed by the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder, the petition shall be filed against the agency as respondent. If a petition under this subsection is filed by the agency, the petition shall be filed against the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder of the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title which is the subject of the order sought to be reviewed as respondent. The respondent to a petition has thirty (30) days from the date of service of the petition to file a cross-appeal. The petition shall contain a concise statement of the facts as contended by the petitioner, identify the order from which the appeal is being taken and the type of relief sought. Where the petition is being filed by a permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder, the petition shall also contain a certificate that the petitioner has paid to the executive director the estimated cost of the preparation of the entire record of the Board of Tax Appeals on the matter for which a review is sought.

(2) A petition under subsection (1) of this section shall be filed in the chancery court of the county or judicial district in which the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder of the permit, IFTA license, IRP registration, tag or title which is the subject of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals sought to be reviewed has a place of business or in the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi; however, a resident permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder may file a petition in the chancery court of the county or judicial district in which he is a resident. If both the agency and the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder file a petition under subsection (1) of this section, the appeals shall be consolidated and the chancery court where the first petition was filed shall have jurisdiction over the consolidated appeal. If it cannot be determined which petition was filed first, the chancery court where the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder filed his petition shall have jurisdiction over the consolidated appeal.

(3) The review by the chancery court of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals on a petition filed under subsection (1) of this section shall be based on the record made before the Board of Tax Appeals. Before filing a petition under subsection (1) of this section, a petitioner, who is a permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder, shall obtain from the executive director an estimate of the cost to prepare the entire record of the Board of Tax Appeals and shall pay to the executive director the amount of the estimate. If, upon the preparation of the record, it is determined that the estimate paid was insufficient to pay the actual cost of the preparation of the record, the executive director shall mail to the petitioner a written notice of the deficiency. The petitioner shall pay the deficiency to the executive director within thirty (30) days from the date of this written notice. If upon the preparation of the record, it is determined that the estimate paid by the petitioner exceeds the actual cost of the preparation of the record, the executive director shall remit to the petitioner the amount by which the estimate paid exceeds the actual cost. The chancery court shall dismiss with prejudice any petition filed by a permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder where it is shown that the petitioner failed to pay prior to filing the petition the estimated cost for preparation of the record of the Board of Tax Appeals or failed to pay any deficiency in the estimate within thirty (30) days of a notice of deficiency. Where the agency files a petition under subsection (1) of this section, the agency shall pay the cost of the preparation of the entire record of the Board of Tax Appeals on the matter for which a review is sought. Where both the agency and the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder file a petition under subsection (1) of this section from the same Board of Tax Appeals order, the executive director shall remit to the permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder that filed the petition the amount by which, if any, the payment received from this permittee, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, tag holder or title interest holder for preparation of the record exceeds one-half (1/2) of the actual cost of preparation of the record. The other half of the actual cost of preparation of the record in this situation shall be paid by the agency.

(4) Upon the filing of the petition under subsection (1) of this section, the clerk of the court in which the petition is filed shall issue a summons to the respondent requiring the respondent to answer or otherwise respond to the petition within thirty (30) days of service. Where the agency is the respondent, the summons shall be served on the agency by personal service on the commissioner as the chief executive officer of the agency.

(5) Upon the filing of an answer and/or response to the petition filed under subsection (1) of this section, and upon the filing of the record made before the Board of Tax Appeals with the clerk of the court, the chancery court shall, upon the motion of either party, establish a schedule for the filing of briefs in the action. The scope of review of the chancery court in an action filed under subsection (1) of this section shall be limited to a review of the record made before the Board of Tax Appeals to determine if the action of the Board of Tax Appeals is unlawful for the reason that it was:

(a) Not supported by substantial evidence;

(b) Arbitrary or capricious;

(d) In violation of some statutory or constitutional right of the petitioner.

(6) No relief shall be granted based upon the chancery court's finding of harmless error by the Board of Tax Appeals in complying with any procedural requirement; however, in the event that there is a finding of prejudicial error in the proceedings, the cause shall be remanded to the Board of Tax Appeals for a rehearing consistent with the findings of the court.

(7) The respondent, the petitioner, or both, shall have the right to appeal from the order of the chancery court to the Supreme Court as in other cases.

SECTION 12. Section 27-77-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-77-15. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for the executive director, the Board of Tax Appeals, the commissioner, the agency, or an officer, agent or employee of the agency or the Board of Tax Appeals, to divulge or make known in any manner the information contained in the files, records and orders of the agency, a hearing officer of the agency, the board of review or the Board of Tax Appeals in regard to an appeal to a hearing officer, the board of review or the Board of Tax Appeals under this chapter.

(2) For purposes of this section, the term "appellant" means the taxpayer, IFTA licensee, IRP registrant, permittee, tag holder or title interest holder who filed the appeal to the board of review or the Board of Tax Appeals under this chapter which resulted in the files, records and orders of that appeal.

(3) The executive director, the Board of Tax Appeals, the commissioner, the agency, hearing officer or an agent or employee of the agency or the Board of Tax Appeals is permitted to divulge and make known information otherwise prohibited from disclosure under subsection (1) of this section in any of the following circumstances:

(a) Where the information is being disclosed as a result of complying with the provisions of this chapter and/or with regulations promulgated to enforce the provisions of this chapter.

(b) Where the information is being provided to the appellant or his designated representative.

(d) Where the information is being provided or disclosed pursuant to a written authorization executed by the appellant as prescribed by regulation.

(e) Where the information is being provided or disclosed in the course of a court action in which the agency, the Board of Tax Appeals, the commissioner, an officer or employee of the agency or the Board of Tax Appeals and the appellant are parties, including, but not limited to, an action brought under this chapter or in the course of the bankruptcy case of the appellant.

(f) Where the information is being provided to the Internal Revenue Service or a taxing authority of another state under an information exchange agreement where similar information can be obtained by the agency from the Internal Revenue Service or state taxing authority receiving the information.

(g) Where the information is being provided pursuant to the International Registration Plan (IRP) or the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) or any regulations, rules or procedures adopted under such plan or agreement.

(h) Where the disclosure of information is authorized under Section 27-19-123, 27-55-49, 27-55-557, 27-57-39, 27-59-53 or 27-61-20.

(i) Where the information is being provided to the State Auditor or his employees in the course of his audit of the agency; however, the prohibitions against disclosure which apply to the agency shall also apply to the State Auditor and his employees or former employees.

(j) Where the information is being provided to the Attorney General or any other attorney representing the state or the agency in an action brought by the appellant to set aside the tax, in an action brought by the state or agency to recover the tax imposed, or in an action where the appellant is being prosecuted for a crime under the tax laws of this state.

(k) Where the information is being provided by the commissioner to a contractor of collection services pursuant to the authority granted the commissioner in Section 27-75-16.

(l) Where the information is being provided in accordance with a proper judicial order. The term "proper judicial order" as used in this paragraph shall not include subpoenas or subpoenas duces tecum, but shall include only those orders entered by a court of record in this state after furnishing notice and a hearing to the appellant and the Department of Revenue. The court shall not authorize the furnishing of such information unless it is satisfied that the information is needed to pursue pending litigation in which the information itself is in issue, or the judge is satisfied that the need for furnishing the information outweighs the rights of the appellant to have such information secreted.

(4) Nothing in subsection (1) of this section shall prohibit the inspection or disclosure of the minutes of the Board of Tax Appeals except to the extent that such minutes reflect the specific amount of a tax assessment or refund claim or the specific amount of tax or refund claim determined by the Board of Tax Appeals to be due.

(5) Information that is prohibited from being disclosed in subsection (1) of this section shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.

(6) Due to the need to discuss confidential tax information, the hearings before a hearing officer, the board of review and the Board of Tax Appeals under this chapter, and the meetings in which the board of review and the Board of Tax Appeals deliberate and vote on the issues raised at such hearings shall be exempt from the provisions of Section 25-41-1 et seq.

SECTION 13. Section 67-1-71, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-71. The department may revoke or suspend any permit issued by it for a violation by the permittee of any of the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations promulgated under it by the department.

Permits must be revoked or suspended for the following causes:

(a) Conviction of the permittee for the violation of any of the provisions of this chapter;

(b) Willful failure or refusal by any permittee to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter or of any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto;

(d) Conviction of one or more of the clerks, agents or employees of the permittee, of any violation of this chapter upon the premises covered by such permit within a period of time as designated by the rules or regulations of the department;

(e) The possession on the premises of any retail permittee of any alcoholic beverages upon which the tax has not been paid;

(f) The willful failure of any permittee to keep the records or make the reports required by this chapter, or to allow an inspection of such records by any duly authorized person;

(g) The suspension or revocation of a permit issued to the permittee by the federal government, or conviction of violating any federal law relating to alcoholic beverages;

(h) The failure to furnish any bond required by Section 27-71-21 within fifteen (15) days after notice from the department; and

(i) The conducting of any form of illegal gambling on the premises of any permittee or on any premises connected therewith or the presence on any such premises of any gambling device with the knowledge of the permittee.

The provisions of paragraph (i) of this section shall not apply to gambling or the presence of any gambling devices, with knowledge of the permittee, on board a cruise vessel in the waters within the State of Mississippi, which lie adjacent to the State of Mississippi south of the three (3) most southern counties in the State of Mississippi, or on any vessel as defined in Section 27-109-1 whenever such vessel is on the Mississippi River or navigable waters within any county bordering on the Mississippi River. The department may, in its discretion, issue on-premises retailer's permits to a common carrier of the nature described in this paragraph.

No permit shall be suspended or revoked until after the permittee has been provided reasonable notice of the charges against him for which suspension or revocation is sought and the opportunity to a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals to contest such charges and the suspension or revocation proposed. Opportunity to a hearing is provided without an actual hearing if the permittee, after receiving reasonable notice, including notice of his right to a hearing, fails to timely request a hearing. The permittee may also at any time waive his rights to reasonable notice and/or to the opportunity to a hearing by agreeing to a suspension or revocation offered by the department. Notwithstanding the requirement above that a permit may not be suspended without notice and opportunity to a hearing, sales of alcoholic beverages by a permittee under a permit for which the bond * * * under Section 27-71-21 has been cancelled shall be suspended from and after issuance of the notice provided in subsection (h) above and shall continue to be suspended until the bond is reinstated, a new bond is posted or sufficient cash or securities as provided under Section 27-71-21 are deposited with the State Treasurer for this permit.

In addition to the causes specified in this section and other provisions of this chapter, the department shall be authorized to suspend the permit of any permit holder for being out of compliance with an order for support, as defined in Section 93-11-153. The procedure for suspension of a permit for being out of compliance with an order for support, and the procedure for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, and the payment of any fees for the reissuance or reinstatement of a permit suspended for that purpose, shall be governed by Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be. If there is any conflict between any provision of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163 and any provision of this chapter, the provisions of Section 93-11-157 or 93-11-163, as the case may be, shall control.

SECTION 14. Section 67-1-72, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

67-1-72. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any applicant or holder of a permit issued under this chapter which is aggrieved by an action of the Department of Revenue to deny his application for a permit, to deny the renewal of his permit or to revoke or suspend his permit shall be allowed to appeal to the Board of Tax Appeals from this action. This appeal is to be filed by the aggrieved person with the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals, with a copy being sent to the Department of Revenue, within fifteen (15) days from the date * * * that person received notice of the action of the department being aggrieved. If the person aggrieved fails to appeal within this fifteen-day period, the action of the Department of Revenue shall take effect as set out in the notice. The Department of Revenue retains the authority to change at any time the action aggrieved to in an appeal under this subsection. The applicant or holder of any permit issued under this chapter may waive his right to notice and opportunity to a hearing as provided by this subsection and agree to the action being taken by the department. The inability of the Department of Revenue to issue or renew a permit due to an incomplete application or due to the failure of the applicant to pay the annual privilege taxes and fees provided by Section 27-71-5 and/or the failure of the applicant to post or deposit the bond, cash or securities as required by Section 27-71-21 shall not constitute a denial for purposes of this subsection.

(2) Any applicant for approval as a manager of an establishment operating under a permit issued under this chapter or who holds the designation of an approved manager of an establishment operating under a permit issued under this chapter and who is aggrieved by an action of the Department of Revenue to deny his application for approval as a manager or to revoke or suspend his designation as an approved manager shall be allowed to appeal to the Board of Tax Appeals from this action. This appeal is to be filed by the aggrieved person with the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals, with a copy being sent to the Department of Revenue, within fifteen (15) days from the date that person received notice of the action of the department being aggrieved. If the person aggrieved fails to appeal within this fifteen-day period, the action of the Department of Revenue shall take effect as set out in the notice. The Department of Revenue retains the authority to change at any time the action aggrieved to in an appeal under this subsection. The applicant or holder of an approved manager designation may waive his right to notice and opportunity to a hearing as provided by this subsection and agree to the action being taken by the department. The inability of the Department of Revenue to consider an application for approval of an applicant as a manager due to an incomplete application shall not constitute a denial of the application for purposes of this subsection.

(3) Any applicant for approval of an area or locality as a qualified resort area under this chapter who is aggrieved by the decision of the Department of Revenue to deny the qualified resort area as requested and any county or municipality wherein the proposed qualified resort area is located may appeal to the Board of Tax Appeals from such decision. This appeal is to be filed by the aggrieved applicant or by the affected county or municipality with the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals, with a copy being sent to the Department of Revenue, within fifteen (15) days from the date that the person or entity filing the appeal received notice of the decision of the Department of Revenue to deny the qualified resort area. If an appeal is not filed within this fifteen-day period, the decision of the Department of Revenue shall become final. The Department of Revenue retains the authority to change at any time the decision aggrieved to in an appeal under this subsection. The inability of the Department of Revenue to consider an application for the approval of an area or locality as a qualified resort area due to an incomplete application shall not constitute a denial of that application for purposes of this subsection.

(4) Any person, including any county or municipality in which the qualified resort area is located, who is aggrieved by the decision of the Department of Revenue to revoke the approval of an area or locality as a qualified resort area may appeal to the Board of Tax Appeals from such decision. This appeal is to be filed by the aggrieved person with the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals, with a copy being sent to the Department of Revenue, within fifteen (15) days from the date that the person or entity filing the appeal received notice of the decision of the department to revoke approval of the qualified resort area. At the discretion of the Department of Revenue, in addition to any other notice to be provided under this subsection, the department may provide notice of its decision to revoke approval of the qualified resort area by publication in the same manner as provided by regulation when approval of a qualified resort area is sought. In regard to such publication, the fifteen-day period provided herein will begin on the date that notice is first published. If an appeal is not filed within this fifteen-day period, the decision of the Department of Revenue shall become final. The Department of Revenue retains the authority to change at any time the decision aggrieved to in an appeal under this subsection.

(5) Any person objecting to an application for the issuance or transfer of a permit, other than a temporary retailer's permit, issued under this chapter and who timely requests in writing a hearing on his objection shall be given a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals unless the permit is denied by the Department of Revenue and an appeal is not taken by the applicant to the Board of Tax Appeals from that denial or the applicant withdraws his application. Any written request for a hearing on an objection must be filed with the Department of Revenue within fifteen (15) days from the first date of publication of the notice of such application under Section 67-1-53. If the department determines that the permit should be denied, notice will be provided to the applicant as set out in subsection (1) of this section, and if the applicant timely requests a hearing on the denial as provided by * * * subsection (1) of this section, the department will advise the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals and the applicant of the written request for a hearing on an objection to the permit. The hearing on the objection to the permit and the hearing on the appeal by the applicant from the denial of the department of the application shall be consolidated and heard by the Board of Tax Appeals at the same time. If the department determines that the permit should be issued, the department will advise the applicant and the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals of the timely written request for a hearing on an objection to the application and a hearing will be set before the Board of Tax Appeals on this objection. If prior to the hearing, either the person requesting the hearing withdraws his request or the applicant withdraws his application, the hearing will be cancelled and the objection proceedings before the Board of Tax Appeals on the application will be dismissed as moot. In the case of such withdrawals, the Board of Tax Appeals is authorized to assess to either or both parties any costs incurred by it prior to such withdrawal. The Department of Revenue retains authority to issue the permit to the applicant where the person objecting to the application withdraws his request for a hearing.

(6) Any person objecting to an application for approval by the Department of Revenue of a area or locality as a qualified resort area under this chapter and who timely requests in writing a hearing on his objection shall be given a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals unless approval of the application is denied by the Department of Revenue and an appeal is not taken by the applicant or the county or municipality in which the proposed qualified resort area is located to the Board of Tax Appeals from that denial or the applicant withdraws his application. Any written request for a hearing on an objection must be filed with the Department of Revenue within fifteen (15) days from the first date of publication of the notice of such application as provided by regulation. If the department determines that the application for approval of the proposed area or locality as a qualified resort area should be denied, the department will proceed with denial of such application as set out in subsection (3) of this section, and if the applicant or the county or municipality in which the proposed qualified resort area is located timely requests a hearing on the denial as provided by subsection (3) of this section, the department will advise the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals and the applicant of the written request for a hearing on an objection to the application. The hearing on the objection to approval of the proposed qualified resort area and the hearing on the appeal from the denial of the department of the application for such approval shall be consolidated and heard by the Board of Tax Appeals at the same time. If the department determines that the proposed qualified resort area should be approved, the department will advise the applicant and the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals of the timely written request for a hearing on an objection to the application and a hearing will be set before the Board of Tax Appeals on this objection. If prior to the hearing, either the person requesting the hearing withdraws his request or the applicant withdraws his application, the hearing will be cancelled and the objection proceedings before the Board of Tax Appeals on the application will be dismissed as moot. In the case of such withdrawals, the Board of Tax Appeals is authorized to assess to either or both parties any costs incurred by it prior to such withdrawal. The Department of Revenue retains authority to approve the proposed area or locality as a qualified resort area where the person objecting to the application withdraws his request for a hearing.

(7) Any person having an interest in any alcoholic beverages or raw materials which the Department of Revenue intends to dispose of under Section 67-1-18 shall be given reasonable notice of this proposed disposal, and upon such notice, this person may request a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals to establish his right or claim to this property. This request for a hearing shall be filed with the Board of Tax Appeals, with a copy sent to the Department of Revenue, within fifteen (15) days from the date of receipt of the notice provided above by the person filing the request. If a request is not received by the Board of Tax Appeals within this fifteen-day period, the department may order the property disposed of in accordance with Section 67-1-18.

(8) Upon receipt of a written request for hearing or appeal as set out above, the executive director shall schedule a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on this request or appeal. A notice of the hearing shall be mailed to all persons or entities having an interest in the matter being heard which shall always include the person or entity filing the request or appeal for which the hearing is being set, the applicant or holder of any permit, approved manager status or qualified resort area status in issue, any person who filed a written request for a hearing on an objection to any application in issue and the Department of Revenue. This notice shall provide the date, time and location of the hearing. Mailing to the attorney representing a person or entity in the matter being heard shall be the same as mailing to the person or entity the attorney represents. Failure of the person or entity on whose request or appeal the matter was set for hearing to appear personally or through his designated representative at the hearing shall constitute an involuntary withdrawal of his request or appeal. Upon such withdrawal, the Board of Tax Appeals shall note on the record the failure of the person or entity to appear at the hearing and shall dismiss the request or appeal and remand the matter back to the Department of Revenue for appropriate action.

(9) At any hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on an appeal or hearing request as set out above, two (2) members of the Board of Tax Appeals shall constitute a quorum. At the hearing, the Board of Tax Appeals shall try the issues presented according to law and the facts and pursuant to any guidelines established by regulation. The rules of evidence shall be relaxed at the hearing and the hearing shall be recorded by a court reporter. After reaching a decision on the issues presented, the Board of Tax Appeals shall enter an order setting forth its findings and decision in the matter. A copy of the order of the Board of Tax Appeals shall be mailed to the person or entity filing the request or appeal which was heard, the applicant or holder of any permit, approved manager status or qualified resort area status in issue, any person who filed a written request for a hearing on an objection to any application in issue and the Department of Revenue to notify them of the findings and decision of the Board of Tax Appeals.

SECTION 15. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2010.