Distinctive motor vehicle license tag; authorize issuance for various purposes.

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To: Finance
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Michel

SENATE BILL NO. 2834
(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE 1
LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; TO 2
AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS 3
TO SUPPORTERS OF THE JACKSON CLUB; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF 4
DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF FORREST 5
HEALTH; TO PRESCRIBE AN ADDITIONAL FEE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH 6
LICENSE TAGS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE ADDITIONAL 7
FEE COLLECTED FROM THE ISSUANCE OF SUCH LICENSE TAGS; TO AMEND 8
SECTION 27-19-56.549, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE 9
ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS 10
OF SHOWER POWER, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY, EAGLE HOME 11
SCHOOL, INC., MADISON-RIDGELAND ACADEMY, CORINTH SCHOOL DISTRICT, 12
MISSISSIPPI SOUND ESTUARY PROGRAM, BROWN MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 13
(BMBC) IN SOUTHAVEN, HERITAGE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY IN PICAYUNE, AND 14
EXTRA TABLE FEEDS; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.166, MISSISSIPPI CODE 15
OF 1972, TO REAUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE 16
LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF D'IBERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL; TO AMEND 17
SECTION 27-19-56.306, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REAUTHORIZE THE 18
ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS 19
OF KOSSUTH HIGH SCHOOL; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.482, MISSISSIPPI 20
CODE OF 1972, TO REAUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR 21
VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE 22
CHARITIES OF MISSISSIPPI, INC.; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.535, 23
MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE AUTHORIZATION PERIOD FOR 24
THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS TO 25
SUPPORTERS OF WILDLIFE MISSISSIPPI; TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF 26
ALTERNATIVE DISTINCTIVE TAGS TO SUPPORTERS OF WILDLIFE 27
MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE THAT SUCH ALTERNATIVE TAGS SHALL HAVE A 28
BLACK BACKGROUND AND A WHITE PINSTRIPE BORDER, AND SHALL HAVE 29
"MISSISSIPPI" PRINTED AT THE TOP, AND "WILDLIFE MISSISSIPPI" 30
PRINTED AT THE BOTTOM; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-56.524, MISSISSIPPI 31
CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF DISTINCTIVE MOTOR 32
VEHICLE TAGS TO PERSONS WHO ARE HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS OF 33
THE UNITED STATES SPACE FORCE; TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-51, 34
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MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT MEMBERS OF THE UNITED 35
STATES ARMED FORCES DISCHARGED FOR A REASON OTHER THAN RETIREMENT 36
SHALL PRESENT A COPY OF THEIR DD FORM 214 WHEN APPLYING FOR THE 37
DISTINCTIVE MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAG AUTHORIZED UNDER THIS 38
SECTION; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 39
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 40
SECTION 1. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a 41
resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge 42
privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 43
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 44
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 45
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 46
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 47
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 48
supporter of the State Department of Health. The distinctive 49
license tags so issued shall be of such color and design as the 50
department, with the advice of the State Department of Health, may 51
prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, 52
as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag. 53
(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized 54
by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms 55
prescribed by the department. The application and the additional 56
fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less Two Dollars 57
($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be 58
remitted to the department on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 59
department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 60
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 61
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(3) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or 62
after July 1, 2026, any person applying for a distinctive license 63
tag under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount 64
of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag 65
applied for under this section, which shall be in addition to all 66
other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a 67
period of time to run concurrently with the vehicle's established 68
license tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the 69
time the original application is made for a distinctive license 70
tag under this section and thereafter annually at the time of 71
renewal registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive 72
license tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive 73
license tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax 74
collector. 75
(4) The department shall deposit all fees into the State 76
Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the 77
department shall certify to the State Treasurer the total fees 78
collected under this section from the issuance of the distinctive 79
license tags issued under this section. The State Treasurer shall 80
distribute such collections as follows: 81
(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 82
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 83
section shall be deposited into the Public Health Trust Fund 84
created in Section 41-3-24. 85
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(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 86
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 87
be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 88
to Section 7-9-70. 89
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 90
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 91
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 92
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 93
reconstruction of highways. 94
(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 95
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 96
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 97
27-19-44.2. 98
(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 99
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 100
this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the 101
tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under 102
this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license 103
decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, 104
which will expire the same month and year as the regular license 105
tag. 106
(6) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license 107
tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and 108
affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by 109
Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license 110
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tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving 111
such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and 112
deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee 113
for such replacement license tag, and the remainder shall be 114
distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular 115
distinctive license tags issued under this section. 116
SECTION 2. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a 117
resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge 118
privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 119
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 120
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 121
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 122
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 123
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 124
supporter of the Jackson Club. The distinctive license tags so 125
issued shall be of such color and design as the department, with 126
the advice of the Jackson Club, may prescribe and shall consist of 127
such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to 128
distinguish each license tag. 129
(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized 130
by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms 131
prescribed by the department. The application and the additional 132
fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less Two Dollars 133
($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be 134
remitted to the department on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 135
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department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 136
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 137
(3) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or 138
after July 1, 2026, any person applying for a distinctive license 139
tag under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount 140
of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag 141
applied for under this section, which shall be in addition to all 142
other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a 143
period of time to run concurrently with the vehicle's established 144
license tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the 145
time the original application is made for a distinctive license 146
tag under this section and thereafter annually at the time of 147
renewal registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive 148
license tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive 149
license tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax 150
collector. 151
(4) The department shall deposit all fees into the State 152
Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the 153
department shall certify to the State Treasurer the total fees 154
collected under this section from the issuance of the distinctive 155
license tags issued under this section. The State Treasurer shall 156
distribute such collections as follows: 157
(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 158
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 159
section shall be distributed to the LeFleur's Bluff Conservancy. 160
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(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 161
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 162
be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 163
to Section 7-9-70. 164
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 165
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 166
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 167
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 168
reconstruction of highways. 169
(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 170
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 171
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 172
27-19-44.2. 173
(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 174
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 175
this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the 176
tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under 177
this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license 178
decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, 179
which will expire the same month and year as the regular license 180
tag. 181
(6) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license 182
tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and 183
affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by 184
Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license 185
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tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving 186
such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and 187
deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee 188
for such replacement license tag, and the remainder shall be 189
distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular 190
distinctive license tags issued under this section. 191
SECTION 3. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a 192
resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge 193
privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 194
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 195
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 196
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 197
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 198
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 199
supporter of Forrest Health. The distinctive license tags so 200
issued shall be of such color and design as the department, with 201
the advice of Forrest Health, may prescribe and shall consist of 202
such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to 203
distinguish each license tag. 204
(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized 205
by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms 206
prescribed by the department. The application and the additional 207
fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less Two Dollars 208
($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be 209
remitted to the department on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 210
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department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 211
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 212
(3) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or 213
after July 1, 2026, any person applying for a distinctive license 214
tag under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount 215
of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag 216
applied for under this section, which shall be in addition to all 217
other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a 218
period of time to run concurrently with the vehicle's established 219
license tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the 220
time the original application is made for a distinctive license 221
tag under this section and thereafter annually at the time of 222
renewal registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive 223
license tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive 224
license tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax 225
collector. 226
(4) The department shall deposit all fees into the State 227
Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the 228
department shall certify to the State Treasurer the total fees 229
collected under this section from the issuance of the distinctive 230
license tags issued under this section. The State Treasurer shall 231
distribute such collections as follows: 232
(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 233
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 234
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section shall be distributed to the Forrest General Healthcare 235
Foundation. 236
(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 237
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 238
be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 239
to Section 7-9-70. 240
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 241
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 242
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 243
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 244
reconstruction of highways. 245
(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 246
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 247
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 248
27-19-44.2. 249
(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 250
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 251
this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the 252
tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under 253
this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license 254
decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, 255
which will expire the same month and year as the regular license 256
tag. 257
(6) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license 258
tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and 259
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affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by 260
Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license 261
tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving 262
such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and 263
deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee 264
for such replacement license tag and the remainder shall be 265
distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular 266
distinctive license tags issued under this section. 267
SECTION 4. Section 27-19-56.549, Mississippi Code of 1972, 268
is amended as follows: 269
27-19-56.549. (1) Any owner of a motor vehicle who is a 270
resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge 271
privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 272
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 273
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 274
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (4) of this 275
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 276
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 277
supporter of any one (1) of the following: 278
(a) Mississippi Association of Nurse Practitioners; 279
(b) Navy Seabee Foundation; 280
(c) Saint Stanislaus College in Bay Saint Louis, 281
Mississippi; 282
(d) Vancleave Live Oak Choctaw; 283
(e) Morton High School; 284
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(f) Forest Municipal School District; 285
(g) Lake High School; 286
(h) Scott Central Attendance Center; 287
(i) Sebastopol Attendance Center; 288
(j) East Rankin Academy; 289
(k) Houston High School; 290
(l) Magnolia Heights School; 291
(m) Regents School of Oxford; 292
(n) The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc.; 293
(o) Baptist Health Foundation, Inc.; 294
(p) Greene County Wildcats; 295
(q) Mississippi Disc Golf; 296
(r) Mississippi Road Builders Association; 297
(s) Clinton Public School District; 298
(t) Magnolia Speech School; 299
(u) Coahoma County Jr./Sr. High School; 300
(v) Clinton Community Nature Center; 301
(w) Most Worshipful King Hiram Grand Lodge, A.F. & 302
A.M., State of Mississippi; 303
(x) Electra Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star, 304
A.F. & A.M., State of Mississippi; 305
(y) City of Olive Branch, Mississippi; 306
(z) Methodist Cursillo of Mississippi; 307
(aa) Clarkdale High School in Lauderdale County, 308
Mississippi; 309
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(ab) Columbia Academy Cougars; 310
(ac) Mississippi Hunting Dog Association; 311
(ad) O'Keefe Educational Media DBA Disability 312
Connection; 313
(ae) New Orleans Pelicans; 314
(af) Mississippi Economic Council; 315
(ag) Lighthouse Academy for Dyslexia; 316
(ah) The Declaration of Independence Center for the 317
Study of American Freedom at the University of Mississippi; 318
(ai) Mississippi Land Bank; 319
(aj) Louisiana-Mississippi-West Tennessee District of 320
Kiwanis International; 321
(ak) National Guard Association of Mississippi; 322
(al) Mississippi College School of Law; 323
(am) Magnolia Honeybee Education Exchange * * *; 324
(an) Shower Power; 325
(ao) United States Coast Guard Auxiliary; 326
(ap) Eagle Home School, Inc.; 327
(aq) Madison-Ridgeland Academy; 328
(ar) Corinth School District; 329
(as) Mississippi Sound Estuary Program; 330
(at) Brown Missionary Baptist Church (BMBC) in 331
Southaven; 332
(au) Heritage Christian Academy in Picayune; 333
(av) Extra Table Feeds. 334
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(2) The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such 335
color and design as the department, with the advice of the 336
respective beneficiary organization listed in subsection (1) of 337
this section, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or 338
numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license 339
tag. 340
(3) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized 341
by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms 342
prescribed by the department. The application and the additional 343
fee imposed under subsection (4) of this section, less Two Dollars 344
($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, shall be 345
remitted to the department on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 346
department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 347
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 348
(4) Any person applying for a distinctive license tag under 349
this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of Thirty 350
Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied for 351
under this section, which shall be in addition to all other taxes 352
and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of time 353
to run concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag 354
year. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the 355
original application is made for a distinctive license tag under 356
this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 357
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 358
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tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 359
tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector. 360
(5) The department shall deposit all fees into the State 361
Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, the 362
department shall certify to the State Treasurer the total fees 363
collected under this section from the issuance of the distinctive 364
license tags issued under this section. The State Treasurer shall 365
distribute such collections as follows: 366
(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 367
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 368
section shall be distributed to the appropriate beneficiary 369
organization listed in subsection (1) of this section. 370
(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 371
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 372
be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 373
to Section 7-9-70. 374
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 375
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 376
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 377
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 378
reconstruction of highways. 379
(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 380
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 381
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 382
27-19-44.2. 383
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(6) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 384
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 385
this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the 386
tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under 387
this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license 388
decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, 389
which will expire the same month and year as the regular license 390
tag. 391
(7) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license 392
tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and 393
affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by 394
Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license 395
tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving 396
such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and 397
deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee 398
for such replacement license tag, and the remainder shall be 399
distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular 400
distinctive license tags issued under this section. 401
SECTION 5. Section 27-19-56.166, Mississippi Code of 1972, 402
is amended as follows: 403
27-19-56.166. (1) Beginning with any registration year 404
commencing on or after July 1, * * * 2026, any owner of a motor 405
vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road 406
and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees 407
as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 408
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trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 409
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 410
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 411
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 412
supporter of D'Iberville High School. The distinctive license 413
tags so issued shall display the words "D'Iberville High School" 414
and shall be of such color and design as the department * * *, 415
with the advice of the principal of D'Iberville High School, may 416
prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, 417
as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag. 418
(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized 419
by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms 420
prescribed by the department * * *. The application and the 421
additional fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less 422
Two Dollars ($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, 423
shall be remitted to the department * * * on a monthly basis as 424
prescribed by the department. The portion of the additional fee 425
retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county 426
general fund. 427
(3) Any person applying for a distinctive license tag under 428
this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of Thirty 429
Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied for 430
under this section, which shall be in addition to all other taxes 431
and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of time 432
to run concurrent with the vehicle's established license tag year. 433
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The additional fee is due and payable at the time the original 434
application is made for a distinctive license tag under this 435
section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 436
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 437
tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 438
tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector. 439
(4) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into the 440
State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, 441
the department * * * shall certify to the State Treasurer the 442
total fees collected under this section from the issuance of the 443
distinctive license tags issued under this section. The State 444
Treasurer shall distribute such collections as follows: 445
(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 446
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 447
section shall be distributed to the D'Iberville High School 448
Parent-Teacher Association. 449
(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 450
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 451
be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 452
to Section 7-9-70. 453
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 454
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 455
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 456
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 457
reconstruction of highways. 458
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(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 459
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 460
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 461
27-19-44.2. 462
(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 463
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 464
this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the 465
tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under 466
this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license 467
decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, 468
which will expire the same month and year as the regular license 469
tag. 470
(6) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license 471
tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and 472
affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by 473
Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license 474
tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving 475
such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and 476
deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee 477
for such replacement license tag, and the remainder shall be 478
distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular 479
distinctive license tags issued under this section. 480
(7) In order for a distinctive license tag to be issued 481
under this section, the provisions of Section 27-19-44(3) must be 482
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satisfied for the distinctive license tag before July 1, * * * 483
2029. 484
SECTION 6. Section 27-19-56.306, Mississippi Code of 1972, 485
is amended as follows: 486
27-19-56.306. (1) Beginning with any registration year 487
commencing on or after July 1, * * * 2026, any owner of a motor 488
vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road 489
and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees 490
as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 491
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 492
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 493
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 494
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 495
supporter of Kossuth High School. The distinctive license tags so 496
issued shall be of such color and design as the department * * *, 497
with the advice of the Principal of Kossuth High School, may 498
prescribe and shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, 499
as may be necessary to distinguish each license tag. 500
(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized 501
by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms 502
prescribed by the department * * *. The application and the 503
additional fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less 504
Two Dollars ($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, 505
shall be remitted to the department * * * on a monthly basis as 506
prescribed by the department. The portion of the additional fee 507
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retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county 508
general fund. 509
(3) Any person applying for a distinctive license tag under 510
this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of Thirty 511
Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied for 512
under this section, which shall be in addition to all other taxes 513
and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of time 514
to run concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag 515
year. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the 516
original application is made for a distinctive license tag under 517
this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 518
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 519
tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 520
tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector. 521
(4) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into the 522
State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, 523
the department * * * shall certify to the State Treasurer the 524
total fees collected under this section from the issuance of the 525
distinctive license tags issued under this section. The State 526
Treasurer shall distribute such collections as follows: 527
(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 528
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 529
section shall be distributed to Kossuth High School. 530
(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 531
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 532
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be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 533
to Section 7-9-70. 534
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 535
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 536
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 537
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 538
reconstruction of highways. 539
(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 540
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 541
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 542
27-19-44.2. 543
(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 544
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 545
this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the 546
tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under 547
this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license 548
decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, 549
which will expire the same month and year as the regular license 550
tag. 551
(6) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license 552
tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and 553
affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by 554
Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license 555
tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving 556
such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and 557
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deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee 558
for such replacement license tag, and the remainder shall be 559
distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular 560
distinctive license tags issued under this section. 561
(7) In order for a distinctive license tag to be issued 562
under this section, the provisions of Section 27-19-44(3) must be 563
satisfied for the distinctive license tag before July 1, * * * 564
2029. 565
SECTION 7. Section 27-19-56.482, Mississippi Code of 1972, 566
is amended as follows: 567
27-19-56.482. (1) Beginning with any registration year 568
commencing on or after July 1, 2026, any owner of a motor vehicle 569
who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and 570
bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 571
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 572
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 573
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 574
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 575
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 576
supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mississippi, Inc. 577
The distinctive license tags so issued shall be of such color and 578
design as the department * * *, with the advice of Ronald McDonald 579
House Charities of Mississippi, Inc., may prescribe and shall 580
consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary 581
to distinguish each license tag. 582
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(2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized 583
by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms 584
prescribed by the department * * *. The application and the 585
additional fee imposed under subsection (3) of this section, less 586
Two Dollars ($2.00) thereof to be retained by the tax collector, 587
shall be remitted to the department * * * on a monthly basis as 588
prescribed by the department. The portion of the additional fee 589
retained by the tax collector shall be deposited into the county 590
general fund. 591
(3) * * * Any person applying for a distinctive license tag 592
under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of 593
Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied 594
for under this section, which shall be in addition to all other 595
taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of 596
time to run concurrently with the vehicle's established license 597
tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the 598
original application is made for a distinctive license tag under 599
this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 600
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 601
tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 602
tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector. 603
(4) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into the 604
State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, 605
the department * * * shall certify to the State Treasurer the 606
total fees collected under this section from the issuance of the 607
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distinctive license tags issued under this section. The State 608
Treasurer shall distribute such collections as follows: 609
(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 610
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 611
section shall be distributed to Ronald McDonald House Charities of 612
Mississippi, Inc. 613
(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 614
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 615
be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 616
to Section 7-9-70. 617
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 618
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 619
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 620
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 621
reconstruction of highways. 622
(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 623
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 624
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 625
27-19-44.2. 626
(5) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 627
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 628
this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered to the 629
tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag under 630
this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) license 631
decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this section, 632
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which will expire the same month and year as the regular license 633
tag. 634
(6) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive license 635
tag issued under this section, the owner may make application and 636
affidavit for a replacement distinctive license tag as provided by 637
Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement distinctive license 638
tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax collector receiving 639
such application and affidavit shall be entitled to retain and 640
deposit into the county general fund five percent (5%) of the fee 641
for such replacement license tag, and the remainder shall be 642
distributed in the same manner as funds from the sale of regular 643
distinctive license tags issued under this section. 644
(7) In order for a distinctive license tag to be issued 645
under this section, the provisions of Section 27-19-44(3) must be 646
satisfied for the distinctive license tag before July 1, 2029. 647
SECTION 8. Section 27-19-56.535, Mississippi Code of 1972, 648
is amended as follows: 649
27-19-56.535. (1) Beginning with any registration year 650
commencing on or after July 1, * * * 2026, any owner of a motor 651
vehicle who is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road 652
and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees 653
as prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 654
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 655
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 656
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 657
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vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 658
supporter of Wildlife Mississippi. The distinctive license tags 659
so issued shall be of such color and design as the department, 660
with the advice of Wildlife Mississippi, may prescribe and shall 661
consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary 662
to distinguish each license tag. 663
(2) Beginning with any registration year commencing on or 664
after July 1, 2026, as an alternative to the tag authorized in 665
subsection (1) of this section, any owner of a motor vehicle who 666
is a resident of this state, upon payment of the road and bridge 667
privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 668
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 669
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 670
an additional fee in the amount provided in subsection (3) of this 671
section, shall be issued a distinctive license tag for any motor 672
vehicle registered in his name identifying such person as a 673
supporter of Wildlife Mississippi. The distinctive tags so issued 674
shall have a black background and a white pinstripe border and 675
shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be 676
necessary to distinguish each tag. "Mississippi" shall be printed 677
at the top, and "Wildlife Mississippi" shall be printed at the 678
bottom. 679
( * * *3) Application for the distinctive license tags 680
authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax 681
collector on forms prescribed by the department. The application 682
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and the additional fee imposed under subsection (3) of this 683
section, less Two Dollars ($2.00) thereof to be retained by the 684
tax collector, shall be remitted to the department on a monthly 685
basis as prescribed by the department. The portion of the 686
additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited 687
into the county general fund. 688
( * * *4) Any person applying for a distinctive license tag 689
under this section shall pay an additional fee in the amount of 690
Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive license tag applied 691
for under this section, which shall be in addition to all other 692
taxes and fees. The additional fee paid shall be for a period of 693
time to run concurrently with the vehicle's established license 694
tag year. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the 695
original application is made for a distinctive license tag under 696
this section and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 697
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 698
tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 699
tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector. 700
( * * *5) The department shall deposit all fees into the 701
State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each month, 702
the department shall certify to the State Treasurer the total fees 703
collected under this section from the issuance of the distinctive 704
license tags issued under this section. The State Treasurer shall 705
distribute such collections as follows: 706
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(a) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each additional fee 707
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 708
section shall be distributed to Wildlife Mississippi. 709
(b) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 710
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 711
be deposited into the Mississippi Burn Care Fund created pursuant 712
to Section 7-9-70. 713
(c) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 714
collected on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this 715
section shall be deposited to the credit of the State Highway Fund 716
to be expended solely for the repair, maintenance, construction or 717
reconstruction of highways. 718
(d) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee collected 719
on distinctive license tags issued pursuant to this section shall 720
be deposited to the credit of the special fund created in Section 721
27-19-44.2. 722
( * * *6) A regular license tag must be properly displayed 723
as required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag 724
under this section. The regular license tag must be surrendered 725
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 726
under this section. The tax collector shall issue up to two (2) 727
license decals for each distinctive license tag issued under this 728
section, which will expire the same month and year as the regular 729
license tag. 730
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( * * *7) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 731
license tag issued under this section, the owner may make 732
application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive license 733
tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a replacement 734
distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). The tax 735
collector receiving such application and affidavit shall be 736
entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund five 737
percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag, and the 738
remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds from 739
the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued under this 740
section. 741
( * * *8) In order for a distinctive license tag to be 742
issued under subsection (1) of this section, the provisions of 743
Section 27-19-44(3) must be satisfied for the * * * tag before 744
July 1, * * * 2029. In order for a distinctive tag to be issued 745
under subsection (2) of this section, the provisions of Section 746
27-19-44(3) must be satisfied for the tag before July 1, 2029. 747
SECTION 9. Section 27-19-56.524, Mississippi Code of 1972, 748
is amended as follows: 749
27-19-56.524. (1) (a) In recognition of the patriotic 750
service rendered by Mississippians who are honorably discharged 751
veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces, any such 752
person is privileged to obtain distinctive motor vehicle license 753
plates or tags for each motor vehicle registered in his name 754
identifying his status as a veteran. The distinctive plates or 755
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tags shall be of a color and design designated by the 756
department * * * with concurrence by the Mississippi Veterans 757
Affairs. 758
(b) (i) The distinctive license plates shall be 759
prepared by the department * * * and shall be issued through the 760
tax collectors of the counties in the same manner as are other 761
motor vehicle license plates or tags. An additional annual tag 762
fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) shall be collected by the tax 763
collector for such license plates or tags and shall be remitted to 764
the department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 765
department. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the 766
original application is made for a distinctive tag under this 767
subsection (1) and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 768
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 769
tag. The department * * * shall deposit such fee to the credit of 770
a fund to be administered by the board of the Mississippi Veterans 771
Affairs for the support of indigent veterans who are residents of 772
the state veterans homes and the support of the operations of the 773
state veterans homes and cemeteries. 774
(ii) A person issued a distinctive plate or tag 775
under Section 27-19-56.12 before July 8, 2020, may renew the plate 776
under this subsection (1) in the manner provided for the issuance 777
and renewal of a distinctive plate or tag under this subsection 778
(1). However, the person shall not be required to provide the 779
written evidence required in paragraph (c) of this subsection (1). 780
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The additional fee collected from the renewal of such a 781
distinctive plate shall be distributed in the manner provided in 782
this subsection (1). 783
(c) An applicant for such distinctive plates shall 784
present to the issuing official written evidence of the veteran's 785
service. Such evidence shall include a copy of the applicant's 786
DD-214 form, a Report of Separation from Military Service, a 787
military discharge document, a written certification of military 788
service from the Mississippi Veterans Affairs, or a valid license 789
or permit issued under Section 63-1-35 and which identifies the 790
person as a veteran. The distinctive license plates or tags so 791
issued shall be used only upon a personally or jointly owned 792
private passenger vehicle (to include station wagons, recreational 793
motor vehicles and pickup trucks) registered in the name, or 794
jointly in the name, of the person making application therefor, 795
and when issued to such person shall be used upon the vehicle for 796
which issued in lieu of the standard license plate or license tag 797
normally issued for such vehicle. 798
(d) The distinctive license plates shall not be 799
transferable between motor vehicle owners; and in the event the 800
owner of a vehicle bearing a distinctive plate shall sell, trade, 801
exchange or otherwise dispose of the vehicle, such plate shall be 802
retained by such owner and returned to the tax collector. 803
(2) (a) (i) In recognition of the patriotic services 804
rendered by Mississippians who are recipients of the Bronze Star, 805
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any such person, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws 806
relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon 807
payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes 808
and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of 809
passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, 810
and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount 811
provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (2), shall be 812
privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive motor vehicle license 813
plate or tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name 814
identifying him as a recipient of the Bronze Star. 815
(ii) A person who is privileged to obtain a 816
distinctive motor vehicle license plate or tag identifying such 817
person as a recipient of the Bronze Star and who is eligible to 818
obtain a special license plate under Section 27-19-56 is 819
privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive motor vehicle license 820
plate or tag bearing the International Symbol of Access adopted by 821
Rehabilitation International in 1969 at its Eleventh World 822
Congress on Rehabilitation of the disabled and identifying such 823
person as a recipient of the Bronze Star. 824
(iii) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph 825
(ii) of this paragraph (a), the tags shall be of such color and 826
design as the department * * *, with the advice of the Mississippi 827
Veterans Affairs, shall prescribe and shall consist of such 828
letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish 829
each license tag. 830
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(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 831
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 832
department * * *. Applicants for such distinctive license tags 833
shall present to the issuing official written proof that the 834
applicant is a recipient of the Bronze Star; however, if the 835
person is applying for a distinctive tag pursuant to paragraph 836
(a)(ii) of this subsection (2), the applicant shall also meet the 837
requirements of Section 27-19-56. The application and the 838
additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax 839
collector, shall be remitted to the department * * * on a monthly 840
basis as prescribed by the department. The portion of the 841
additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited 842
into the county general fund. 843
(c) (i) Beginning with any registration year 844
commencing on or after July 1, 2020, any person applying for a 845
distinctive license tag under this subsection (2) shall pay an 846
additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each 847
distinctive license tag applied for under this subsection (2), 848
which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The 849
additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run 850
concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag year. The 851
additional fee is due and payable at the time the original 852
application is made for a distinctive license tag under this 853
subsection (2) and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 854
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 855
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tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 856
tag, he must surrender it to the local county tax collector. 857
(ii) A person issued a distinctive plate or tag 858
under Section 27-19-56.62 before July 8, 2020, may renew the plate 859
or tag under this subsection (2) in the manner provided for the 860
issuance and renewal of a distinctive plate or tag under this 861
subsection (2). The person shall not be required to provide the 862
written proof required in paragraph (b) of this subsection (2); 863
however, if the person is applying for renewal of a distinctive 864
tag described in paragraph (a)(ii) of this subsection (2), the 865
applicant shall also meet the requirements of Section 27-19-56. 866
The additional fee collected from the renewal of such a 867
distinctive plate or tag shall be distributed in the manner 868
provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (1). 869
(d) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 870
the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, 871
the department * * * shall certify the total fees collected under 872
this subsection (2) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute 873
such collections as follows: 874
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 875
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 876
renewed under this subsection (2) shall be deposited in the State 877
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 878
board of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of 879
indigent veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes 880
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and the support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 881
cemeteries. 882
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 883
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 884
to this subsection (2) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 885
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 886
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 887
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 888
to this subsection (2) shall be deposited to the credit of the 889
State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 890
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 891
(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 892
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 893
to this subsection (2) shall be deposited to the credit of the 894
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 895
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 896
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 897
this subsection (2). The regular license tag must be surrendered 898
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 899
under this subsection (2). The tax collector shall issue up to 900
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 901
renewed under this subsection (2), which will expire the same 902
month and year as the regular license tag. 903
(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 904
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (2), the owner 905
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may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive 906
license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a 907
replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). 908
The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall 909
be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund 910
five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag, and 911
the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds 912
from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued or 913
renewed under this subsection (2). 914
(3) (a) In recognition of the patriotic service rendered by 915
Mississippians who are honorably discharged veterans who served in 916
the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam Conflict and 917
were awarded a Vietnam Service Ribbon, any such person is 918
privileged to obtain distinctive motor vehicle license plates or 919
tags for each motor vehicle registered in his name identifying his 920
status as a Vietnam veteran. The distinctive plates or tags shall 921
be of a color and design designated by the department * * * with 922
concurrence by the Mississippi Veterans Affairs. 923
(b) (i) The distinctive license plates shall be 924
prepared by the department * * * and shall be issued through the 925
tax collectors of the counties in the same manner as are other 926
motor vehicle license plates or tags. An additional annual tag 927
fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) shall be collected by the tax 928
collector for such license plates or tags and shall be remitted to 929
the department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 930
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department. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the 931
original application is made for a distinctive tag under this 932
subsection (3) and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 933
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 934
tag. The department * * * shall deposit such fee to the credit of 935
a fund to be administered by the board of the Mississippi Veterans 936
Affairs for the support of indigent veterans who are residents of 937
the state veterans homes and the support of the operations of the 938
state veterans homes and cemeteries. 939
(ii) A person issued a distinctive plate or tag 940
under Section 27-19-56.85 before July 8, 2020, may renew the plate 941
or tag under this subsection (3) in the manner provided for the 942
issuance and renewal of a distinctive plate or tag under this 943
subsection (3). However, the person shall not be required to 944
provide the written evidence required in paragraph (c) of this 945
subsection (3). The additional fee collected from the renewal of 946
such a distinctive plate shall be distributed in the manner 947
provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b). 948
(c) An applicant for such distinctive plates shall 949
present to the issuing official written evidence of the veteran's 950
service. Such evidence shall include a copy of the applicant's 951
DD-214 form, a Report of Separation from Military Service, a 952
military discharge document, or a written certification of 953
military service from the Mississippi Veterans Affairs. The 954
distinctive license plates or tags so issued shall be used only 955
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upon a personally or jointly owned private passenger vehicle (to 956
include station wagons, recreational motor vehicles and pickup 957
trucks) registered in the name, or jointly in the name, of the 958
person making application therefor, and when issued to such person 959
shall be used upon the vehicle for which issued in lieu of the 960
standard license plate or license tag normally issued for such 961
vehicle. 962
(d) The distinctive license plates shall not be 963
transferable between motor vehicle owners; and in the event the 964
owner of a vehicle bearing a distinctive plate shall sell, trade, 965
exchange or otherwise dispose of the vehicle, such plate shall be 966
retained by such owner and returned to the tax collector. 967
(4) (a) In recognition of the patriotic service rendered by 968
Mississippians who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces, 969
beginning with any registration year commencing on or after July 970
1, 2020, any such person is privileged to obtain distinctive 971
motorcycle license plates or tags for each motorcycle registered 972
in his name identifying his status as a veteran. The distinctive 973
plates or tags shall be of a color and design designated by the 974
department * * * with concurrence by the Mississippi Veterans 975
Affairs. 976
(b) (i) The distinctive license plates shall be 977
prepared by the department * * * and shall be issued through the 978
tax collectors of the counties in the same manner as are other 979
motor vehicle license plates or tags. An additional annual tag 980
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fee of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) shall be collected by the tax 981
collector for such license plates or tags and shall be remitted to 982
the department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 983
department. The additional fee is due and payable at the time the 984
original application is made for a distinctive tag under this 985
subsection (4) and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 986
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 987
tag. The department * * * shall deposit such fee to the credit of 988
a fund to be administered by the board of the Mississippi Veterans 989
Affairs for the support of indigent veterans who are residents of 990
the state veteran homes and the support of the operations of the 991
state veterans homes and cemeteries. 992
(ii) A person issued a distinctive plate or tag 993
under Section 27-19-56.125 before July 8, 2020, may renew the 994
plate or tag under this subsection (4) in the manner provided for 995
the issuance and renewal of a distinctive plate or tag under this 996
subsection (4). However, the person shall not be required to 997
provide the written proof required in paragraph (c) of this 998
subsection (4). The additional fee collected from the renewal of 999
such a distinctive plate shall be distributed in the manner 1000
provided in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (b). 1001
(c) An applicant for the distinctive plates shall 1002
present to the issuing official written evidence of the veteran's 1003
service. The evidence shall include a copy of the applicant's 1004
DD-214 form, a Report of Separation from Military Service, a 1005
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military discharge document, a written certification of military 1006
service from the Mississippi Veterans Affairs a valid military 1007
identification card, or a valid license or permit issued under 1008
Section 63-1-35 and which identifies the person as a veteran; 1009
however, a distinctive license plate or tag shall not be issued 1010
under this subsection (4) to any person who was dishonorably 1011
discharged from the United States Armed Forces. The distinctive 1012
license plates or tags so issued shall be used only upon a 1013
personally or jointly owned private motorcycle registered in the 1014
name, or jointly in the name, of the person making the 1015
application, and when issued to the person shall be used upon the 1016
motorcycle for which issued in lieu of the standard license plate 1017
or license tag normally issued for the motorcycle. 1018
(d) The distinctive license plates shall not be 1019
transferable between motorcycle owners; and in the event the owner 1020
of a motorcycle bearing a distinctive plate shall sell, trade, 1021
exchange or otherwise dispose of the motorcycle, the plate shall 1022
be retained by the owner and returned to the tax collector. 1023
(5) (a) There shall be issued beginning July 1, 2020, 1024
special motor vehicle license tags honoring the family members of 1025
service members who have died while serving on active duty in the 1026
Armed Forces of the United States while the United States was 1027
engaged in hostile activities or a time of war. The license tag 1028
shall be officially designated as the Gold Star license plate. 1029
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(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection 1030
(5), any owner of a motor vehicle who is a resident of this state 1031
and a family member of a service member who has died while serving 1032
on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States while the 1033
United States was engaged in hostile activities or a time of war, 1034
upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem 1035
taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for private 1036
carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial 1037
motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional fee in the 1038
amount provided in paragraph (e) of this subsection (5), shall be 1039
issued a Gold Star license tag for any motor vehicle registered in 1040
his name. The distinctive license tag shall be of such color and 1041
design as the department * * *, with the advice of supporters of 1042
this license tag, may prescribe; however, the license tag shall 1043
bear in a conspicuous place a gold star with blue fringe on a 1044
white background with a red border that is the symbol for a fallen 1045
service member and shall have the words "Gold Star Family" and the 1046
branch of the United States Armed Forces in which the family 1047
member served displayed on it. 1048
(c) One (1) Gold Star license tag issued to the mother 1049
of the service member who died while serving on active duty in the 1050
Armed Forces of the United States while the United States was 1051
engaged in hostile activities or a time of war after September 11, 1052
2001, and one (1) Gold Star license tag issued to the unremarried 1053
spouse of the service member who died while serving on active duty 1054
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in the Armed Forces of the United States while the United States 1055
was engaged in hostile activities or a time of war after September 1056
11, 2001, shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes, privilege taxes 1057
and all other taxes and fees. 1058
(d) Application for the distinctive license tags 1059
authorized by this subsection (5) shall be made to the county tax 1060
collector on forms prescribed by the department * * *. The 1061
application and the additional fee imposed under subsection (5) of 1062
this section, less Two Dollars ($2.00) thereof to be retained by 1063
the tax collector, shall be remitted to the department * * * on a 1064
monthly basis as prescribed by the department. The portion of the 1065
additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be deposited 1066
into the county general fund. 1067
(e) (i) Except as otherwise provided in this 1068
subsection (5), beginning with any registration year commencing on 1069
or after July 1, 2020, any person applying for a distinctive 1070
license tag under this subsection (5) shall pay an additional fee 1071
in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive 1072
license tag applied for under this subsection (5), which shall be 1073
in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid 1074
shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the 1075
vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due 1076
and payable at the time the original application is made for a 1077
distinctive license tag under this subsection (5) and thereafter 1078
annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner 1079
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retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish 1080
to retain the distinctive license tag, he must surrender it to the 1081
local county tax collector. 1082
(ii) A person issued a distinctive tag under 1083
Section 27-19-56.162 before July 8, 2020, may renew the tag under 1084
this subsection (5) in the manner provided for the issuance and 1085
renewal of a distinctive plate or tag under this subsection (5). 1086
However, the person shall not be required to provide the 1087
documentation and proof required in paragraph (i) of this 1088
subsection (5). The additional fee collected from the renewal of 1089
such a distinctive plate shall be distributed in the manner 1090
provided in paragraph (f) of this subsection (1). 1091
(f) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 1092
the State Treasury on the day collected. At the end of each 1093
month, the department * * * shall certify to the State Treasurer 1094
the total fees collected under this subsection (5) from the 1095
issuance or renewal of the distinctive license tags issued or 1096
renewed under this subsection (5). The State Treasurer shall 1097
distribute such collections as follows: 1098
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1099
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1100
renewed pursuant to this subsection (5) shall be deposited to the 1101
credit of a fund to be administered by the board of the 1102
Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of indigent veterans 1103
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who are residents of the state veterans homes and the support of 1104
the operations of the state veterans homes and cemeteries. 1105
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1106
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1107
to this subsection (5) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1108
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1109
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1110
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1111
to this subsection (5) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1112
State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1113
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1114
(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1115
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1116
to this subsection (5) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1117
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1118
(g) A Gold Star license tag issued pursuant to this 1119
subsection (5) may be personalized in the manner provided for in 1120
Section 27-19-48 upon payment of the additional fee prescribed in 1121
that section. 1122
(h) In order to qualify as a family member, the person 1123
must be directly related to the fallen service member as their 1124
unremarried spouse, child, stepchild, legal mother or father, 1125
sibling related by blood or legal adoption, step-sibling, 1126
grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle or stepparent who is 1127
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currently married to the mother or father of the fallen service 1128
member. 1129
(i) Whether a service member is deemed to have died 1130
while serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United 1131
States while the United States was engaged in hostile activities 1132
or a time of war shall be determined by the classification of 1133
death as listed by the United States Department of Defense and may 1134
be verified from documentation directly from the Department of 1135
Defense or from its subordinate agencies such as the Coast Guard, 1136
Reserve or National Guard. A classification of having died while 1137
serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States 1138
while the United States was engaged in hostile activities or a 1139
time of war by the Department of Defense shall be prima facie 1140
evidence that the service member died in such manner. 1141
Documentation of the fact that the service member died while 1142
serving on active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States 1143
while the United States was engaged in hostile activities or a 1144
time of war and proof of relationship to the service member shall 1145
be required by the county tax collector before issuing a Gold Star 1146
license plate. The county tax collector may waive the 1147
documentation if he or she has actual knowledge of the family 1148
relationship and that the service member died while serving on 1149
active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States while the 1150
United States was involved in hostile activities or a time of war. 1151
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(j) The Gold Star license plate shall be issued only to 1152
family members of service members that resided in Mississippi at 1153
the time of the death of the service member. 1154
(k) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1155
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1156
this subsection (5). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1157
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1158
under this subsection (5). The tax collector shall issue up to 1159
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1160
renewed under this subsection (5), which will expire the same 1161
month and year as the regular license tag. 1162
(l) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1163
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (5), the owner 1164
may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive 1165
license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a 1166
replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). 1167
The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall 1168
be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund 1169
five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag, and 1170
the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds 1171
from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued or 1172
renewed under this subsection (5). 1173
(6) (a) In recognition of the patriotic services rendered 1174
by Mississippians who are recipients of the Southwest Asia Service 1175
Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 1176
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Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the 1177
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal for service in, or in support of 1178
operations in, Iraq, any such person, upon complying with the 1179
motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor 1180
vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, 1181
ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for 1182
private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other 1183
noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional 1184
annual fee in the amount provided in paragraph (c) of this 1185
subsection (6), shall be privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive 1186
motor vehicle license plate or tag for each motor vehicle 1187
registered in his or her name identifying him or her as an Iraq 1188
veteran. The tags shall be of such color and design as the 1189
department * * *, with the advice of the Mississippi Veterans 1190
Affairs, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or 1191
numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license 1192
tag. 1193
(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 1194
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 1195
department * * *. Applicants for such distinctive license tags 1196
shall present to the issuing official written proof that the 1197
applicant is a recipient of the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the 1198
Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary 1199
Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Inherent 1200
Resolve Campaign Medal for service in, or in support of operations 1201
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in, Iraq. The application and the additional fee, less Two 1202
Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be 1203
remitted to the department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed 1204
by the department. The portion of the additional fee retained by 1205
the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 1206
(c) (i) Beginning with any registration year 1207
commencing on or after July 1, 2020, any person applying for a 1208
distinctive license tag under this subsection (6) shall pay an 1209
additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each 1210
distinctive license tag applied for under this subsection (6), 1211
which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The 1212
additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run 1213
concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag year. The 1214
additional fee is due and payable at the time the original 1215
application is made for a distinctive license tag under this 1216
subsection (6) and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 1217
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 1218
tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 1219
tag, he or she must surrender it to the local county tax 1220
collector. 1221
(ii) A person issued a distinctive plate or tag 1222
under Section 27-19-56.186 before July 8, 2020, may renew the 1223
plate or tag under this subsection (6) in the manner provided for 1224
the issuance and renewal of a distinctive plate or tag under this 1225
subsection (6). However, the person shall not be required to 1226
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provide the written proof required in paragraph (b) of this 1227
subsection (6). The additional fee collected from the renewal of 1228
such a distinctive plate shall be distributed in the manner 1229
provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (6). 1230
(d) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 1231
the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, 1232
the department * * * shall certify the total fees collected under 1233
this subsection (6) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute 1234
such collections as follows: 1235
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1236
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1237
renewed under this subsection (6) shall be deposited in the State 1238
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 1239
board of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of 1240
indigent veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes 1241
and the support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 1242
cemeteries. 1243
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1244
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1245
to this subsection (6) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1246
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1247
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1248
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1249
to this subsection (6) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1250
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State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1251
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1252
(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1253
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1254
to this subsection (6) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1255
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1256
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1257
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1258
this subsection (6). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1259
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1260
under this subsection (6). The tax collector shall issue up to 1261
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1262
renewed under this subsection (6), which will expire the same 1263
month and year as the regular license tag. 1264
(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1265
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (6), the owner 1266
may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive 1267
license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a 1268
replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). 1269
The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall 1270
be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund 1271
five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag, and 1272
the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds 1273
from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued or 1274
renewed under this subsection (6). 1275
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(7) (a) In recognition of the patriotic services rendered 1276
by Mississippians who are recipients of the Southwest Asia Service 1277
Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 1278
Expeditionary Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for 1279
service in, or in support of operations in, Afghanistan, any such 1280
person, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to 1281
registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of 1282
the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and 1283
registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of 1284
passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, 1285
and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount 1286
provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (7), shall be 1287
privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive motor vehicle license 1288
plate or tag for each motor vehicle registered in his or her name 1289
identifying him or her as an Afghanistan veteran. The tags shall 1290
be of such color and design as the department * * *, with the 1291
advice of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs, may prescribe and 1292
shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be 1293
necessary to distinguish each license tag. 1294
(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 1295
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 1296
department * * *. Applicants for such distinctive license tags 1297
shall present to the issuing official written proof that the 1298
applicant is a recipient of the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the 1299
Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism 1300
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Expeditionary Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for 1301
service in, or in support of operations in, Afghanistan. The 1302
application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be 1303
retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the 1304
department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 1305
department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 1306
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 1307
(c) (i) Beginning with any registration year 1308
commencing on or after July 1, 2020, any person applying for a 1309
distinctive license tag under this subsection (7) shall pay an 1310
additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each 1311
distinctive license tag applied for under this subsection (7), 1312
which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The 1313
additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run 1314
concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag year. The 1315
additional fee is due and payable at the time the original 1316
application is made for a distinctive license tag under this 1317
subsection (7) and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 1318
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 1319
tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 1320
tag, he or she must surrender it to the local county tax 1321
collector. 1322
(ii) A person issued a distinctive tag under 1323
Section 27-19-56.187 before July 8, 2020, may renew the tag under 1324
this subsection (7) in the manner provided for the issuance and 1325
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renewal of a distinctive tag under this subsection (2). However, 1326
the person shall not be required to provide the written proof 1327
required in paragraph (b) of this subsection (7). The additional 1328
fee collected from the renewal of such a distinctive plate shall 1329
be distributed in the manner provided in paragraph (d) of this 1330
subsection (7). 1331
(d) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 1332
the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, 1333
the department * * * shall certify the total fees collected under 1334
this subsection (7) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute 1335
such collections as follows: 1336
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1337
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1338
renewed under this subsection (7) shall be deposited in the State 1339
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 1340
board of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of 1341
indigent veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes 1342
and the support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 1343
cemeteries. 1344
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1345
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1346
to this subsection (7) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1347
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1348
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1349
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1350
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to this subsection (7) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1351
State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1352
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1353
(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1354
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1355
to this subsection (7) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1356
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1357
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1358
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1359
this subsection (7). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1360
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1361
under this subsection (7). The tax collector shall issue up to 1362
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1363
renewed under this subsection (7), which will expire the same 1364
month and year as the regular license tag. 1365
(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1366
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (7), the owner 1367
may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive 1368
license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a 1369
replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). 1370
The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall 1371
be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund 1372
five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag, and 1373
the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds 1374
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from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued or 1375
renewed under this subsection (7). 1376
(8) (a) In recognition of the patriotic services rendered 1377
by Mississippians who are recipients of the Navy and Marine Corps 1378
Medal, any such person, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws 1379
relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon 1380
payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes 1381
and registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of 1382
passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, 1383
and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount 1384
provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (8), shall be 1385
privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive motor vehicle license 1386
plate or tag for each motor vehicle registered in his name 1387
identifying him as a recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. 1388
The tags shall be of such color and design as the 1389
department * * *, with the advice of the Mississippi Veterans 1390
Affairs, shall prescribe and shall consist of such letters or 1391
numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license 1392
tag. 1393
(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 1394
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 1395
department * * *. Applicants for such distinctive license tags 1396
shall present to the issuing official written proof that the 1397
applicant is a recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. The 1398
application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be 1399
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retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the 1400
department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 1401
department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 1402
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 1403
(c) (i) Beginning with any registration year 1404
commencing on or after July 1, 2020, any person applying for a 1405
distinctive license tag under this section shall pay an additional 1406
fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive 1407
license tag applied for under this subsection (8), which shall be 1408
in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid 1409
shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the 1410
vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due 1411
and payable at the time the original application is made for a 1412
distinctive license tag under this subsection (8) and thereafter 1413
annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner 1414
retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish 1415
to retain the distinctive license tag, he must surrender it to the 1416
local county tax collector. 1417
(ii) A person issued a distinctive tag under 1418
Section 27-19-56.199 before July 8, 2020, may renew the tag under 1419
this subsection (8) in the manner provided for the issuance and 1420
renewal of a distinctive tag under this subsection (8). However, 1421
the person shall not be required to provide the written proof 1422
required in paragraph (b) of this subsection (8). The additional 1423
fee collected from the renewal of such a distinctive plate shall 1424
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be distributed in the manner provided in paragraph (d) of this 1425
subsection (8). 1426
(d) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 1427
the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, 1428
the department * * * shall certify the total fees collected under 1429
this subsection (8) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute 1430
such collections as follows: 1431
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1432
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1433
renewed under this subsection (8) shall be deposited in the State 1434
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 1435
board of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of 1436
indigent veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes 1437
and the support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 1438
cemeteries. 1439
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1440
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1441
to this subsection (8) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1442
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1443
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1444
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1445
to this subsection (8) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1446
State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1447
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1448
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(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1449
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1450
to this subsection (8) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1451
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1452
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1453
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1454
this subsection (8). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1455
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1456
under this subsection (8). The tax collector shall issue up to 1457
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1458
renewed under this subsection (8), which will expire the same 1459
month and year as the regular license tag. 1460
(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1461
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (8), the owner 1462
may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive 1463
license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a 1464
replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). 1465
The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall 1466
be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund 1467
five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag, and 1468
the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds 1469
from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued or 1470
renewed under this subsection (8). 1471
(9) (a) In recognition of the patriotic services rendered 1472
by Mississippians who served in combat in the United States Armed 1473
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Forces, upon complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to 1474
registration and licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of 1475
the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and 1476
registration fees as prescribed by law for private carriers of 1477
passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, 1478
and upon payment of an additional annual fee in the amount 1479
provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection (9), any such person 1480
shall be privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive motor vehicle 1481
license plate or tag for each motor vehicle registered in his or 1482
her name identifying him or her as a combat veteran. The tags 1483
shall be of such color and design as the department * * *, with 1484
the advice of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs, may prescribe and 1485
shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be 1486
necessary to distinguish each license tag. The department * * *, 1487
with the advice of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs, shall develop 1488
decals to be affixed to the license tag indicating the type of 1489
military service. 1490
(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 1491
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 1492
department * * *. Applicants for such distinctive license tags 1493
shall present to the issuing official written proof that the 1494
applicant served in combat in the United States Armed Forces. The 1495
application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be 1496
retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the 1497
department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 1498
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department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 1499
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 1500
(c) (i) Beginning with any registration year 1501
commencing on or after July 1, 2020, any person applying for a 1502
distinctive license tag under this subsection (9) shall pay an 1503
additional fee in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each 1504
distinctive license tag applied for under this subsection (9), 1505
which shall be in addition to all other taxes and fees. The 1506
additional fee paid shall be for a period of time to run 1507
concurrently with the vehicle's established license tag year. The 1508
additional fee is due and payable at the time the original 1509
application is made for a distinctive license tag under this 1510
subsection (9) and thereafter annually at the time of renewal 1511
registration as long as the owner retains the distinctive license 1512
tag. If the owner does not wish to retain the distinctive license 1513
tag, he or she must surrender it to the local county tax 1514
collector. 1515
(ii) A person issued a distinctive plate or tag 1516
under Section 27-19-56.450 before July 8, 2020, may renew the 1517
plate or tag under this subsection (9) in the manner provided for 1518
the issuance and renewal of a distinctive plate or tag under this 1519
subsection (9). However, the person shall not be required to 1520
provide the written proof required in paragraph (b) of this 1521
subsection (9). The additional fee collected from the renewal of 1522
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such a distinctive plate shall be distributed in the manner 1523
provided in paragraph (d) of this subsection (9). 1524
(d) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 1525
the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, 1526
the department * * * shall certify the total fees collected under 1527
this subsection (9) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute 1528
such collections as follows: 1529
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1530
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1531
renewed under this subsection (9) shall be deposited in the State 1532
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 1533
board of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of 1534
indigent veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes 1535
and the support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 1536
cemeteries. 1537
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1538
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1539
to this subsection (9) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1540
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1541
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1542
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1543
to this subsection (9) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1544
State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1545
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1546
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(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1547
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1548
to this subsection (9) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1549
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1550
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1551
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1552
this subsection (9). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1553
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1554
under this subsection (9). The tax collector shall issue up to 1555
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1556
renewed under this subsection (9), which will expire the same 1557
month and year as the regular license tag. 1558
(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1559
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (9), the owner 1560
may make application and affidavit for a replacement distinctive 1561
license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee for a 1562
replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00). 1563
The tax collector receiving such application and affidavit shall 1564
be entitled to retain and deposit into the county general fund 1565
five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement license tag, and 1566
the remainder shall be distributed in the same manner as funds 1567
from the sale of regular distinctive license tags issued or 1568
renewed under this subsection (9). 1569
(10) (a) In recognition of the patriotic services rendered 1570
by Mississippians who are honorably discharged veterans who served 1571
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in the United States Armed Forces in Operation Desert Storm or 1572
Operation Desert Shield, any such person, upon complying with the 1573
motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor 1574
vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, 1575
ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for 1576
private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other 1577
noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of an additional 1578
annual fee in the amount provided in paragraph (c) of this 1579
subsection (10), shall be privileged to obtain one (1) distinctive 1580
motor vehicle license plate or tag for each motor vehicle 1581
registered in his or her name identifying him or her as a veteran 1582
of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield. The tags 1583
shall be of such color and design as the department * * *, with 1584
the advice of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs, may prescribe and 1585
shall consist of such letters or numbers, or both, as may be 1586
necessary to distinguish each license tag. 1587
(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 1588
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 1589
department * * *. Applicants for such distinctive license tags 1590
shall present to the issuing official written proof that the 1591
applicant is an honorably discharged veteran who served in the 1592
United States Armed Forces in Operation Desert Storm or Operation 1593
Desert Shield. The application and the additional fee, less Two 1594
Dollars ($2.00) to be retained by the tax collector, shall be 1595
remitted to the department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed 1596
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by the department. The portion of the additional fee retained by 1597
the tax collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 1598
(c) Beginning with any registration year commencing on 1599
or after July 1, 2021, any person applying for a distinctive 1600
license tag under this subsection (10) shall pay an additional fee 1601
in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive 1602
license tag applied for under this subsection (10), which shall be 1603
in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid 1604
shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the 1605
vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due 1606
and payable at the time the original application is made for a 1607
distinctive license tag under this subsection (10) and thereafter 1608
annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner 1609
retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish 1610
to retain the distinctive license tag, he or she must surrender it 1611
to the local county tax collector. 1612
(d) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 1613
the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, 1614
the department * * * shall certify the total fees collected under 1615
this subsection (10) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute 1616
such collections as follows: 1617
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1618
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1619
renewed under this subsection (10) shall be deposited in the State 1620
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 1621
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board of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of 1622
indigent veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes 1623
and the support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 1624
cemeteries. 1625
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1626
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1627
to this subsection (10) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1628
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1629
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1630
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1631
to this subsection (10) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1632
State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1633
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1634
(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1635
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1636
to this subsection (10) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1637
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1638
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1639
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1640
this subsection (10). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1641
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1642
under this subsection (10). The tax collector shall issue up to 1643
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1644
renewed under this subsection (10), which will expire the same 1645
month and year as the regular license tag. 1646
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(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1647
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (10), the 1648
owner may make application and affidavit for a replacement 1649
distinctive license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee 1650
for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars 1651
($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and 1652
affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county 1653
general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement 1654
license tag, and the remainder shall be distributed in the same 1655
manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags 1656
issued or renewed under this subsection (10). 1657
(11) (a) In recognition of the patriotic services rendered 1658
by Mississippians who are honorably discharged female veterans who 1659
served in the United States Armed Forces, any such person, upon 1660
complying with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and 1661
licensing of motor vehicles, and upon payment of the road and 1662
bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 1663
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 1664
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 1665
an additional annual fee in the amount provided in paragraph (c) 1666
of this subsection (11), shall be privileged to obtain one (1) 1667
distinctive motor vehicle license plate or tag for each motor 1668
vehicle registered in her name identifying her as a female 1669
veteran. The tags shall be of such color and design as the 1670
department * * *, with the advice of the Mississippi Veterans 1671
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Affairs, may prescribe and shall consist of such letters or 1672
numbers, or both, as may be necessary to distinguish each license 1673
tag. 1674
(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 1675
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 1676
department * * *. An applicant for such distinctive license tag 1677
shall present to the issuing official written evidence of the 1678
veteran's service. Such evidence shall include a copy of the 1679
applicant's DD-214 form, a Report of Separation from Military 1680
Service, a military discharge document, or a written certification 1681
of military service from the Mississippi Veterans Affairs. The 1682
application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be 1683
retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the 1684
department * * * on a monthly basis as prescribed by the 1685
department. The portion of the additional fee retained by the tax 1686
collector shall be deposited into the county general fund. 1687
(c) Beginning with any registration year commencing on 1688
or after July 1, 2022, any person applying for a distinctive 1689
license tag under this subsection (11) shall pay an additional fee 1690
in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive 1691
license tag applied for under this subsection (11), which shall be 1692
in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid 1693
shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the 1694
vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due 1695
and payable at the time the original application is made for a 1696
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distinctive license tag under this subsection (11) and thereafter 1697
annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner 1698
retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish 1699
to retain the distinctive license tag, she must surrender it to 1700
the local county tax collector. 1701
(d) The department * * * shall deposit all fees into 1702
the State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, 1703
the department * * * shall certify the total fees collected under 1704
this subsection (11) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute 1705
such collections as follows: 1706
(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1707
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1708
renewed under this subsection (11) shall be deposited in the State 1709
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 1710
board of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs for the support of 1711
indigent veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes 1712
and the support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 1713
cemeteries. 1714
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1715
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1716
to this subsection (11) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1717
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1718
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1719
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1720
to this subsection (11) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1721
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State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1722
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1723
(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1724
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1725
to this subsection (11) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1726
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1727
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1728
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1729
this subsection (11). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1730
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1731
under this subsection (11). The tax collector shall issue up to 1732
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1733
renewed under this subsection (11), which will expire the same 1734
month and year as the regular license tag. 1735
(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1736
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (11), the 1737
owner may make application and affidavit for a replacement 1738
distinctive license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee 1739
for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars 1740
($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and 1741
affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county 1742
general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement 1743
license tag, and the remainder shall be distributed in the same 1744
manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags 1745
issued or renewed under this subsection (11). 1746
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(12) (a) In recognition of the patriotic services rendered 1747
by Mississippians who are honorably discharged veterans who served 1748
in the United States Space Force, any such person, upon complying 1749
with the motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing 1750
of motor vehicles, and upon payment of the road and bridge 1751
privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as 1752
prescribed by law for private carriers of passengers, pickup 1753
trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles, and upon payment of 1754
an additional annual fee in the amount provided in paragraph (c) 1755
of this subsection (12), shall be privileged to obtain one (1) 1756
distinctive motor vehicle license plate or tag for each motor 1757
vehicle registered in his or her name identifying him or her as a 1758
veteran of the United States Space Force. The tags shall be of 1759
such color and design as the department, with the advice of the 1760
Mississippi Veterans Affairs, may prescribe and shall consist of 1761
such letters or numbers, or both, as may be necessary to 1762
distinguish each license tag. 1763
(b) Application for the distinctive license tags shall 1764
be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the 1765
department. An applicant for such distinctive license tag shall 1766
present to the issuing official written evidence of the veteran's 1767
service. Such evidence shall include a copy of the applicant's 1768
DD-214 form, a Report of Separation from Military Service, a 1769
military discharge document, or a written certification of 1770
military service from the Mississippi Veterans Affairs. The 1771
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application and the additional fee, less Two Dollars ($2.00) to be 1772
retained by the tax collector, shall be remitted to the department 1773
on a monthly basis as prescribed by the department. The portion 1774
of the additional fee retained by the tax collector shall be 1775
deposited into the county general fund. 1776
(c) Beginning with any registration year commencing on 1777
or after July 1, 2026, any person applying for a distinctive 1778
license tag under this subsection (12) shall pay an additional fee 1779
in the amount of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for each distinctive 1780
license tag applied for under this subsection (12), which shall be 1781
in addition to all other taxes and fees. The additional fee paid 1782
shall be for a period of time to run concurrently with the 1783
vehicle's established license tag year. The additional fee is due 1784
and payable at the time the original application is made for a 1785
distinctive license tag under this subsection (12) and thereafter 1786
annually at the time of renewal registration as long as the owner 1787
retains the distinctive license tag. If the owner does not wish 1788
to retain the distinctive license tag, he or she must surrender it 1789
to the local county tax collector. 1790
(d) The department shall deposit all fees into the 1791
State Treasury on the day received. At the end of each month, the 1792
department shall certify the total fees collected under this 1793
subsection (12) to the State Treasurer who shall distribute such 1794
collections as follows: 1795
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(i) Twenty-four Dollars ($24.00) of each 1796
additional fee collected on distinctive license tags issued or 1797
renewed under this subsection (12) shall be deposited in the State 1798
Treasury to the credit of a special fund to be administered by the 1799
Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board for the support of indigent 1800
veterans who are residents of the state veterans homes and the 1801
support of the operations of the state veterans homes and 1802
cemeteries. 1803
(ii) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1804
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1805
to this subsection (12) shall be deposited into the Mississippi 1806
Burn Care Fund created pursuant to Section 7-9-70. 1807
(iii) Two Dollars ($2.00) of each additional fee 1808
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1809
to this subsection (12) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1810
State Highway Fund to be expended solely for the repair, 1811
maintenance, construction or reconstruction of highways. 1812
(iv) One Dollar ($1.00) of each additional fee 1813
collected on distinctive license tags issued or renewed pursuant 1814
to this subsection (12) shall be deposited to the credit of the 1815
special fund created in Section 27-19-44.2. 1816
(e) A regular license tag must be properly displayed as 1817
required by law until replaced by a distinctive license tag under 1818
this subsection (12). The regular license tag must be surrendered 1819
to the tax collector upon issuance of the distinctive license tag 1820
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under this subsection (12). The tax collector shall issue up to 1821
two (2) license decals for each distinctive license tag issued or 1822
renewed under this subsection (12), which will expire the same 1823
month and year as the regular license tag. 1824
(f) In the case of loss or theft of a distinctive 1825
license tag issued or renewed under this subsection (12), the 1826
owner may make application and affidavit for a replacement 1827
distinctive license tag as provided by Section 27-19-37. The fee 1828
for a replacement distinctive license tag shall be Ten Dollars 1829
($10.00). The tax collector receiving such application and 1830
affidavit shall be entitled to retain and deposit into the county 1831
general fund five percent (5%) of the fee for such replacement 1832
license tag, and the remainder shall be distributed in the same 1833
manner as funds from the sale of regular distinctive license tags 1834
issued or renewed under this subsection (12). 1835
SECTION 10. Section 27-19-51, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 1836
amended as follows: 1837
27-19-51. (1) (a) In recognition of their many and varied 1838
patriotic services rendered the state, the United States and the 1839
citizens thereof, Mississippians who have completed an active duty 1840
career with the Armed Forces of the United States and active duty 1841
and retired members of the Army National Guard, Air National 1842
Guard, and the United States Reserves, including both enlisted and 1843
officer personnel, upon application and subject to the provisions 1844
of this section may be issued distinctive motor vehicle license 1845
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plates or tags identifying these persons with such organizations. 1846
For the purposes of this section the term "Armed Forces" includes 1847
the United States Merchant Marines and members thereof in maritime 1848
service during the period from December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1849
1945. The distinctive plates or tags so issued shall comply with 1850
the provisions of Section 27-19-41 and shall be of such color and 1851
design as may be agreed upon by the Adjutant General and the 1852
department * * * for the Army National Guard or Air National 1853
Guard, by the Mississippi chapters of the Retired Officers 1854
Association and the Retired Non-Commissioned Officers Association 1855
and the department * * * for retired active duty members of the 1856
Armed Forces of the United States, and by the department * * * for 1857
retired members of the United States Merchant Marines. Each 1858
distinctive license plate shall bear the words "National Guard" or 1859
the name of the appropriate armed service and need not bear 1860
prefixed numbers identifying the county of issuance. 1861
(b) In recognition of their many and varied patriotic 1862
services rendered the state, the United States and the citizens 1863
thereof, Mississippians who are active duty and retired members of 1864
the Army National Guard and/or the Air National Guard, including 1865
both enlisted and officer personnel, upon application and subject 1866
to the provisions of this section may be issued distinctive 1867
motorcycle license plates or tags identifying these persons with 1868
such organizations. The distinctive plates or tags so issued 1869
shall comply with the provisions of Section 27-19-41 and shall be 1870
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of such color and design as may be agreed upon by the Adjutant 1871
General and the department * * *. Each distinctive license plate 1872
shall bear the words "National Guard" and need not bear prefixed 1873
numbers identifying the county of issuance. 1874
(2) The surviving spouse of any person who was issued a 1875
distinctive license plate or tag under subsection (1) of this 1876
section because of completion of an active duty career with the 1877
Armed Forces of the United States or because of retirement from 1878
the Army National Guard, Air National Guard or United States 1879
Reserves, or any prisoner of war issued a distinctive license 1880
plate or tag under Section 27-19-54, shall be eligible to receive 1881
the same type of distinctive license plate or tag which the 1882
deceased spouse was issued. 1883
(3) The distinctive license plates here provided for shall 1884
be prepared by the department * * * and shall be issued through 1885
the tax collectors of the several counties of the state in like 1886
manner as are other motor vehicle license plates or tags and 1887
motorcycle license plates or tags and such officers shall be 1888
entitled to their regular fees for such service. Applicants for 1889
such distinctive plates shall present to the issuing official 1890
proof of their membership in the Army National Guard, Air National 1891
Guard, or United States Reserves by means of certificate signed by 1892
the commanding officer of such applicant on forms prescribed by 1893
the Adjutant General of Mississippi. Retired members of the Armed 1894
Forces of the United States applying for such plates shall present 1895
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to the issuing officials a copy of their active duty retirement 1896
orders, DD Form 214, or other proof of retirement from active 1897
service with one (1) of the Armed Forces of the United States. 1898
Other discharged members of the Armed Forces of the United States 1899
applying for such plates shall present to the issuing officials a 1900
copy of their DD Form 214. The distinctive license plates or tags 1901
so issued shall be used only upon and for personally or jointly 1902
owned private passenger vehicles (to include station wagons, 1903
recreational motor vehicles and pickup trucks) and/or motorcycles 1904
registered in the name, or jointly in the name, of the member 1905
making application therefor, and when so issued to such applicant 1906
shall be used upon the vehicle or motorcycle for which issued in 1907
lieu of the standard license plate or license tag normally issued 1908
for such vehicle or motorcycle. 1909
(4) In addition to use of such distinctive license plates or 1910
tags on such personally or jointly owned vehicles, such 1911
distinctive plate or tag may be used on state-owned vehicles 1912
operated by the State Military Department provided the prefix 1913
"MNG" is placed ahead of the number thereon. Motor vehicles for 1914
which such distinctive license plates or tags are issued shall be 1915
registered by the proper official as are other motor vehicles. 1916
(5) The distinctive license plates issued hereunder shall 1917
not be transferable between motor vehicle or motorcycle owners; 1918
and in the event the owner of a vehicle or motorcycle bearing such 1919
distinctive plate shall sell, trade, exchange or otherwise dispose 1920
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of the vehicle or motorcycle, such plate shall be retained by the 1921
owner to whom issued and returned by the owner to the tax 1922
collector of the county or the department * * *, as the case may 1923
be. 1924
(6) The Adjutant General is authorized to recognize not more 1925
than one hundred (100) senior staff officers, commanders, command 1926
sergeants major and senior enlisted advisors by designating the 1927
issue of National Guard distinctive license plates or tags 1928
numbered "1" through "100." These license plates or tags shall be 1929
retained by the individual so designated and may be transferred 1930
between vehicles or individuals under procedures established by 1931
the department * * *. The Adjutant General is responsible for 1932
furnishing the department * * * necessary information to effect 1933
issue or transfer of these specially numbered license plates or 1934
tags. 1935
(7) National Guard plates or tags shall be prepared and 1936
furnished for the licensing year commencing November 1, 1962, and 1937
annually thereafter. The Adjutant General shall furnish the 1938
department * * * with an estimate of the number of such 1939
distinctive plates or tags required in each of the several 1940
counties of the state. 1941
(8) The provisions of this section are supplementary to the 1942
laws of this state pertaining to the licensing of motor vehicles, 1943
and nothing herein shall be construed as abridging or repealing 1944
any of such laws. 1945
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ST: Distinctive motor vehicle license tag;
authorize issuance for various purposes.
SECTION 11. This act shall take effect and be in force from 1946
and after July 1, 2026. 1947