MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2014 Regular Session
To: Ways and Means
By: Representative Smith (39th)
AN ACT TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 27-77-1, 27-77-3, 27-77-5, 27-77-7, 27-77-9, 27-77-11, 27-77-12, 27-77-13, 27-77-15, 27-77-17 AND 27-77-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH ESTABLISH THE APPELLATE REVIEW PROCESS FOR MATTERS IN WHICH A TAXPAYER IS AGGRIEVED BY CERTAIN ACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT TO ENSURE THAT SUCH PROCESS IS FAIR AND TRANSPARENT FOR ALL TAXPAYERS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 27-4-3, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR PURPOSES OF AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 27-77-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward 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.
(c) "Board of Tax Appeals" means the Board of Tax Appeals as created under Section 27-4-1.
(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 2. Section 27-77-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-77-3. (1) There is hereby created a board of review within the agency to conduct the duties assigned to it in this chapter and any other responsibility as assigned by the commissioner. The board of review shall be composed of qualified employees of the agency appointed to the board by the commissioner. The commissioner shall determine the number of members on the board of review and may increase or decrease this number as needed. The commissioner is authorized to remove and/or replace a member of the board of review with or without cause.
(2) The board of review may perform its duties and responsibilities en banc or in panels of not less than three (3) members. When an appeal or other matter is considered by a panel, only the members on that panel may deliberate and vote on the appeal or matter being considered. The decision of a panel shall be deemed the final decision of the board of review. Nothing in this section shall prevent a member of the board of review from attending and/or participating in a hearing on an appeal being conducted before a panel on which he is not a member.
(3) No business shall be transacted by either the board of review en banc or by a panel of the board of review without the presence of a quorum. Three (3) members shall constitute a quorum for both the board of review and a panel of the board of review.
(4) The commissioner shall designate one (1) member of the board of review to be the chairman of the board of review. The chairman of the board of review shall preside at any meeting or hearing of the board of review en banc and at any meeting or hearing of a panel of the board of review where he is a member of that panel. In case of the absence of the chairman of the board of review at a meeting or hearing of the board of review en banc or in the case of a meeting or hearings of a panel of which he is not a member, the chairman of the board of review shall designate another member of the board of review to preside at the meeting or hearing. If circumstances do not permit such designation prior to the meeting or hearing being convened, the member of the board of review with the most tenure on the board of review shall preside. The presiding officer of a meeting or hearing of the board of review en banc or of a panel of the board of review, shall be responsible for the taking of minutes of such meeting or hearing.
SECTION 3. Section 27-77-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-77-5. (1) Any taxpayer aggrieved by an assessment of tax by the agency, by the agency's denial of a refund claim, or by the denial of a waiver of tag penalty, and who wishes to contest the action of the agency shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of the action, file an appeal in writing with the board of review requesting a hearing and correction of the contested action specifying in detail the relief requested and any other information that might be required by regulation. Even after an appeal is filed with the board of review, the agency retains the authority to change the assessment, the denial of refund claim or the denial of tag penalty being appealed.
(2) Upon receipt of a timely written appeal from a tax assessment, refund claim denial or denial of waiver of a tag penalty, 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 taxpayer advising the taxpayer of the date, time and location of the hearing. The taxpayer or his designated representative shall attend the hearing unless a request is made to, and granted by, the board of review to allow the taxpayer to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission in lieu of attendance. Failure of the taxpayer or his designated representative to attend a hearing or to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission by the date specified by the board of review or by the hearing date, if no date was specified, shall constitute a withdrawal of the appeal.
(3) At a hearing before the board of review on a tax assessment, denial of refund claim, or denial of waiver of a tag penalty, 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 will 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 on the matter presented and notify the taxpayer of its findings by mailing a copy of its order to the taxpayer. If the order involves the appeal of a denial of a waiver of tag penalty, a copy of the order shall also be mailed to the tax collector that imposed the penalty. If in the order the board of review orders the taxpayer to pay a tax assessment, the taxpayer shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of the order, pay the amount ordered to be paid or appeal the order of the board of review to the Board of Tax Appeals. After the sixty-day period, if an appeal is not filed by the taxpayer with the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals and the tax determined by the board of review is not paid, the agency shall proceed to collect the tax assessment as determined by the board of review.
(4) Any taxpayer aggrieved by an order of the board of review affirming a tax assessment, the denial of a refund claim, or the denial of a waiver of tag penalty, and who wishes to contest the order shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of the order of the board of review being contested, file an appeal to the Board of Tax Appeals. The appeal shall be in writing and shall request a hearing and reversal or modification of the order of the board of review, specify in detail the relief requested and contain any other information that might be required by regulation, and be filed with the executive director. At the time of filing his appeal with the executive director, the taxpayer shall also file a copy of his written appeal with the board of review. Even after an appeal is filed with the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals, the board of review retains the authority to amend and/or correct the order being appealed at any time prior to a decision by the Board of Tax Appeals on the appeal. Failure to timely file a written appeal with the executive director within the sixty-day period shall make the order of the board of review 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.
(5) Upon receipt of a written appeal from an order of the board of review affirming a tax assessment, refund claim denial or denial of waiver of a tag penalty, the executive director shall schedule a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on the appeal. A notice of this hearing shall be mailed to the taxpayer and the agency advising them of the date, time and location of hearing. The taxpayer or his designated representative shall attend the hearing unless a request is made to and granted by the Executive Director of the Board of Tax Appeals to allow the taxpayer to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission in lieu of attendance. Failure of the taxpayer or his designated representative to attend a hearing or to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission by the date specified by the executive director or by the hearing date, if no date was specified, shall constitute a withdrawal of the appeal.
(6) At any hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on an appeal of an order of the board of review affirming a tax assessment, refund claim denial or denial of waiver of a tag penalty, 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 the law and the facts and pursuant to any guidelines established by regulation. The rules of evidence shall be relaxed at the hearing. Any appeal to chancery court from an order of the Board of Tax Appeals resulting from this type of hearing shall include a full evidentiary judicial hearing on the issues presented. No official transcript shall be made of this hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals. 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 taxpayer and the agency. If the order involves an appeal of a denial of a waiver of tag penalty, a copy of the order shall also be mailed to the tax collector that imposed the penalty.
(7) If in its order the Board of Tax Appeals orders a taxpayer to pay a tax assessment, the taxpayer shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of the order, pay the amount ordered to be paid or properly appeal the order of the Board of Tax Appeals to chancery court as provided in Section 27-77-7. After the sixty-day period, if the tax determined by the Board of Tax Appeals to be due is not paid and an appeal from the Board of Tax Appeals order has not been properly filed, the agency shall proceed to collect the tax assessment as affirmed by the Board of Tax Appeals. If in its order the Board of Tax Appeals determines that the taxpayer has overpaid his taxes and an appeal from the Board of Tax Appeals order has not been properly filed in chancery court, the agency shall refund or credit to the taxpayer, as provided by law, the amount of overpayment as determined and set out in the order.
(8) At any time after the filing of an appeal to the board of review or from the board of review to the Board of Tax Appeals under this section, an appeal can be withdrawn. Such a withdrawal of an appeal may be made voluntarily by the taxpayer or may occur involuntarily as a result of the taxpayer failing to appear at a scheduled hearing, failing to make a written submission or electronic transmission in lieu of attendance at a hearing by the date specified 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 the taxpayer to prosecute his appeal. Any voluntary withdrawal shall be in writing or by electronic transmission and sent by the taxpayer 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 a tax assessment, a denial of refund claim, a denial of waiver of tax penalty, or an 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.
(9) Nothing in this section shall bar a taxpayer from timely applying to the commissioner as otherwise provided by law for a tax refund or for a revision in tax.
SECTION 4. Section 27-77-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-77-7. (1) The findings and order of the Board of Tax Appeals entered under Section 27-77-5 shall be final unless the agency or the taxpayer shall, within sixty (60) days from the date of the order, file a petition in the chancery court appealing the order. If the petition under this subsection is filed by the taxpayer, the petition shall be filed against the Department of Revenue as respondent. If the petition under this subsection is filed by the agency, the petition shall be filed against the taxpayer as respondent. 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 set out the type of relief sought. If in the action, the taxpayer is seeking a refund or credit for an alleged overpayment of tax or for taxes paid in protest under subsection (3) of this section, the taxpayer shall allege in the petition or in his answer, where the appeal is filed by the agency, that he alone bore the burden of the tax sought to be refunded or credited and did not directly or indirectly collect the tax from anyone else. The respondent to the petition has thirty (30) days from the date of service of the petition to file a cross-appeal.
(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 taxpayer has a place of business or in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi; however, a resident taxpayer may file the petition in the chancery court of the county or judicial district in which he is a resident. If both the agency and the taxpayer file a petition under subsection (1) of this section, the appeals shall be consolidated and the chancery court where the taxpayer filed his petition shall have jurisdiction over the consolidated appeal.
(3) A petition filed by a taxpayer under subsection (1) of this section that appeals an order of the Board of Tax Appeals affirming a tax assessment shall be accompanied by a surety bond approved by the clerk of the court in a sum half the amount in controversy, conditioned to pay the judgment of the court. The clerk shall not approve a bond unless the bond is issued by a surety company qualified to write surety bonds in this state. Notwithstanding the above bond requirement, the chancellor retains jurisdiction, after motion, notice and hearing, to reduce the amount of the bond provided herein or to forego the bond in its entirety if he finds that the interest of the state to obtain payment of the taxes, penalties and interest in issue in the appeal are otherwise protected. As an alternative to the posting of bond, a taxpayer appealing an order of the Board of Tax Appeals affirming a tax assessment may, prior to the filing of the petition, pay to the agency, under protest, the amount ordered by the Board of Tax Appeals to be paid and seek a refund of such taxes, plus interest thereon, in the appeal. The taxpayer shall pay to the agency any tax included in the assessment which he is not contesting. If the petition initiating the appeal is filed by the taxpayer, the payment of the uncontested tax shall be made prior to the expiration of the sixty-day time period for filing a petition under subsection (1) of this section. If the petition initiating the appeal is filed by the agency, the payment of the uncontested tax shall be made prior to the expiration of the sixty-day time period for the filing of the petition. Failure of the taxpayer to timely pay the uncontested tax shall bar the taxpayer from obtaining a reduction, abatement and/or refund of any contested tax in the appeal and shall result in the taxpayer's appeal or cross-appeal being dismissed with prejudice and with judgment being entered granting the agency the relief it requested.
(4) In an action under this section resulting from an order of the Board of Tax Appeals involving a refund claim denial, the agency shall refund or credit to the taxpayer, as provided by law, the amount of any overpayment included in the refund claim which the agency does not contest. If the petition initiating the appeal is filed by the agency, the uncontested overpayment shall be paid or credited to the taxpayer prior to the expiration of the sixty-day time period for filing a petition under subsection (1) of this section. If the petition initiating the appeal is filed by the taxpayer, such uncontested overpayment shall be paid or credited to the taxpayer prior to the expiration of the thirty-day time period for the filing of an answer or other response to the petition as provided in subsection (5) of this section. Failure of the agency to timely pay or credit the uncontested overpayment to the taxpayer shall bar the agency from obtaining an affirmation, in whole or in part, of the refund claim denial in issue and shall result in the agency's appeal or cross-appeal being dismissed with prejudice and judgment being entered granting the taxpayer the relief he requested, excluding however any request for the awarding of attorney fees.
(5) Upon the filing of the petition under subsection (1) of this section, the clerk of the court 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. The chancery court in which a petition under subsection (1) of this section is properly filed shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine the cause or issues joined as in other cases. In any petition, cross-appeal or answer in which the taxpayer is seeking a refund or credit for an alleged overpayment of tax or for taxes paid under protest under subsection (3) of this section, the taxpayer shall prove by a preponderance of the evidence that he alone bore the burden of the tax sought to be refunded or credited and did not directly or indirectly collect the tax from anyone else. At trial of any action brought under this section, the chancery court shall give deference to the decision and interpretation of law and regulations by the Department of Revenue as it does with the decisions and interpretation of any administrative agency, but it shall try the case de novo and conduct a full evidentiary judicial hearing on the issues raised. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the chancery court shall determine whether the party bringing the appeal has proven by a preponderance of the evidence or a higher standard if required by the issues raised, that he is entitled to any or all of the relief he has requested. The chancery court shall decide all questions presented, including those as to legality and the amount of tax or refund due, and if it finds that the tax assessment or denial of refund claim in issue is incorrect or invalid, in whole or in part, it shall determine the amount of tax or refund due, including interest and, if applicable, penalty to date, and enter such order or judgment as it deems proper. Interest and penalty included in this determination shall be computed by the court based on the methods for computing penalty and interest as specified by law for the type of tax in issue. When the chancery court determines that an overpayment exists, the determination as to whether such overpayment shall be refunded to the taxpayer or credited against the taxpayer's future taxes shall be made by the chancery court based on the method for handling overpayments as specified by the law for the type of tax in issue. Either the agency or the taxpayer, or both, shall have the right to appeal from the order of the chancery court to the Supreme Court as in other cases. If an appeal is taken from the order of the chancery court, the bond provided for in subsection (3) of this section shall continue to remain in place until a final decision is rendered in the case.
SECTION 5. Section 27-77-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-77-9. (1) If the agency determines that there is a basis for suspension, surrender, seizure or revocation of a permit, tag or title issued or approved by the agency, the agency shall give the permittee, tag holder, title interest holder in the permit, tag or title, written notice of its intent to suspend, revoke or to order the surrender and/or seizure of the permit, tag or title. The notice of intent shall be mailed or hand delivered to the permittee, tag holder or title interest holder involved, shall set forth the facts and conduct that provide the basis for the intended action and shall advise the permittee, tag holder or title interest holder involved 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 action. If the permittee, tag holder or title interest holder involved fails to file a written request with the board of review for a hearing on the intended action within the thirty-day period, the intended action shall automatically go into effect on the thirty-first day after the date of the notice of intent without any further action by the agency. The agency retains jurisdiction to reinstate, reduce or remove a suspension and/or return the permit, tag or title suspended, revoked, surrendered or seized under this provision.
(2) Upon receipt of a timely filed written request for a hearing on the intended suspension, surrender, seizure or revocation of the permit, tag or title in issue, the person 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. In the case of a request for hearing involving an intended action regarding a title, the notice of hearing shall also be mailed to any other title interest holders in the motor vehicle or manufactured housing in issue. At the hearing, the person requesting the hearing shall show cause why the proposed action should not be taken. 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 person that requested the hearing 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 person to submit his position in writing or by electronic transmission in lieu of attending the hearing. Failure of the person requesting the hearing 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 members of the board of review that conducted the hearing shall make a determination as to whether the intended action or any other action should be taken in regard to the permit, tag or title in issue. 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 permittee, tag holder or title interest holder involved notifying same of the decision and the action taken.
(3) 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 permittee, tag holder or title interest holder 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. The person filing the appeal with the executive director shall also file a copy of his written appeal with 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. Failure to timely file a written appeal with the executive director within the thirty-day period shall make the order of the hearing officer or 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 hearing officer or board of review was timely filed with the executive director.
(4) Upon receipt of a written appeal from an order of a hearing officer or the board of review regarding a show cause hearing on a permit, tag or title, the executive director shall schedule a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on this 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 a show cause hearing on a title, the notice of hearing shall also be mailed to any other 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.
(5) At any hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals on an appeal of an order regarding a show cause hearing on a permit, 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 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. 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 any other title interest holder in the motor vehicle or manufactured housing in issue.
(6) At any time after the filing of an appeal with the board of review under this section, an 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 his failure to appear at a scheduled hearing, or by any other act or failure that the hearing officer or the board of review determines represents 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 chairman of the board of review or to the hearing officer designated to hear the matter. If the withdrawal of appeal 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 appeal and the basis for the withdrawal. Once an appeal to the board of review under subsection (1) of this section is withdrawn, whether voluntary or involuntary, the intended suspension, surrender, seizure or revocation 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 such final action.
(7) 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 6. Section 27-77-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward 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 7. Section 27-77-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-77-12. (1) If the agency determines that there is a basis for revocation or suspension of an IFTA license or 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 of 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 8. Section 27-77-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward 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;
(c) Beyond the power of the Board of Tax Appeals to make; or
(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 9. Section 27-77-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward 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.
(c) Where the information is being disclosed to employees or officers of the agency.
(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 10. Section 27-77-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-77-17. Except as to the determination of whether a tag penalty should be waived under Section 27-51-43, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any action taken by the agency, commissioner or the Department of Revenue in regard to ad valorem taxes, including, but not limited to, the determination under Section 27-31-107 as to whether property is entitled to a new or expanded enterprise exemption, the duties and actions performed under the Homestead Exemption Law of 1946, being Section 27-33-1 et seq., the actions taken as the result of the examination of the recapitulation of the assessment rolls of the counties under Section 27-35-113, the actions relating to the examination of the assessment rolls under Section 27-35-127, and the ad valorem assessment of railroads, public service corporations, nuclear generating plants, railcar companies, airline companies, motor vehicles, manufactured homes and mobile homes. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any action of the agency, commissioner or Department of Revenue under the Local Option Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, being Section 67-1-1 et seq. or any action under the Mississippi Native Wine Law of 1976, being Section 67-5-1 et seq.
SECTION 11. Section 27-77-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
27-77-19. (1) The commissioner may from time to time make such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, as he may deem necessary to enforce its provisions as it relates to matters, proceedings and/or appeals before the agency, a hearing officer of the agency and the board of review.
(2) The Board of Tax Appeals may from time to time make such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this chapter, as it may deem necessary to enforce its provisions as it relates to matters, proceedings and/or appeals before the Board of Tax Appeals.
(3) By issuance of a subpoena under his signature and seal, the commissioner may require any person to attend a hearing before a hearing officer or the board of review and to give testimony and/or produce documents or other things at that hearing. If any person subpoenaed by the commissioner fails to attend the hearing, refuses to testify or answer any material question at the hearing or refuses to produce at the hearing any document or thing subpoenaed, the commissioner or the person who requested issuance of the subpoena is authorized to institute proceedings in the circuit court of the county where such person resides or is found to compel compliance with the subpoena.
(4) By issuance of a subpoena under his signature and seal, the executive director may require any person to attend a hearing before the Board of Tax Appeals and to give testimony and/or produce documents or other things at that hearing. If any person subpoenaed by the executive director fails to attend the hearing, refuses to testify or answer any material question at the hearing or refuses to produce at the hearing any document or thing subpoenaed, the executive director or the person who requested issuance of the subpoena is authorized to institute proceedings in the circuit court of the county where such person resides or is found to compel compliance with the subpoena.
SECTION 12. Section 27-4-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward 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 13. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.