Senate Bill 2910

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-31-31, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNING AUTHORITIES OF ANY MUNICIPALITY TO GRANT EXEMPTIONS FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION, EXCEPT AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT PURPOSES, FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO OR RENOVATIONS OF EXISTING RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES OR EXISTING STRUCTURES THAT ARE CONVERTED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE AREAS THAT ARE DESIGNATED AS BLIGHTED BY THE MUNICIPALITY, FOR A PERIOD OF NOT MORE THAN 10 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENT TO OR RENOVATION OF THE EXISTING RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 27-31-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-31-31. (1) The governing authorities of any municipality are authorized, in their discretion, to grant exemptions from ad valorem taxation, except ad valorem taxation for school district purposes, for new structures or improvements to or renovations of existing structures located in the designated central business district of the municipality, for a period of not more than ten (10) years from the date of the completion of the new structure or the improvement to or renovation of the existing structure for which the exemption is granted.

(2) The governing authorities of any municipality are authorized, in their discretion, to grant exemptions from ad valorem taxation, except ad valorem taxation for school district purposes, for improvements to or renovations of existing residential structures or existing structures converted for residential use that are located in the areas that are designated as blighted by the municipality, for a period of not more than ten (10) years from the date of the completion of the improvement to or renovation of the existing residential structure for which the exemption is granted.

( * * *23) Any person, firm or corporation desiring to obtain the exemption authorized in this section shall first file a written application therefor with the governing authorities of the municipality, providing full information about the property for which the exemption is requested, including the true value of all such property, and the date from which the exemption is to begin. Any application for an exemption under this section must be made within twelve (12) months from the date of the completion of the new structure or the improvement to or renovation of the existing structure for which the exemption is requested. The governing authorities of the municipality may, by order spread on their minutes, approve such application for all or any part of the property for which the exemption is requested and for all or any part of the authorized period of exemption. The order shall specify the property to be exempted and the dates when such exemption begins and expires. The municipal clerk shall record the application and the order approving the same in a book kept in his office for that purpose, and shall file one (1) copy of the application and the order with the * * *~~Chairman of the State Tax Commission~~ Department of Revenue.

( * * *34) Any exemption granted under this section shall be in lieu of ad valorem tax exemptions authorized under any other provision of law.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.