SB 2187 — Disabled veterans license tags; revise provisions regarding disability rating and persons eligible for.

Finance COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO.

2187 (As Sent to Governor) AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-19-53, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DISABILITY RATING REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE AND MOTORCYCLE LICENSE PLATES AND TAGS AUTHORIZED FOR DISABLED VETERANS;

(1) (a) (i) Any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who* is* a* veteran of service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or the Mississippi National Guard or the Mississippi National Guard Reserve, and who is rated as having * * * one hundred percent (100%) permanent service-connected disability or at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability by the Veterans' Administration or United States Department of Veterans Affairs is privileged to purchase annually under this subsection two (2) motor vehicle license plates or tags in his or her county of legal residence, for the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) in total cost for S.each plate or tag, regardless of make or model of motor vehicle.

The registration year of such motor vehicle shall commence the first day of the month in which application for S.

2187 *SS36/R811CS**SS26/R811SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ R3/5 23/SS36/R811CS23/SS26/R811SG PAGE 1 eachregistration plateis ormade, tag,as regardlessprovided ofin makeSection or27-19-31. model of motor vehicle.

The registration year of such motor vehicle shall commence the first day of the month in which application for registration is made, as provided in Section 27-19-31.

(ii) Any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who* is* a* veteran of service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or the Mississippi National Guard or the Mississippi National Guard Reserve, and who is rated as having * * * one hundred percent (100%) permanent service-connected disability or at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability by the Veterans' Administration or United States Department of Veterans Affairs is privileged to purchase annually under this subsection one (1) motorcycle license plate or tag in his or her county of legal residence, for the sum of One Dollar ($1.00) in total cost for each plate or tag.

In order for a person who is rated as having at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability to renew a license plate or tag issued under this section, the person must provide an updated benefits letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs indicating that the person's rating has not been S.

2187 *SS36/R811CS**SS26/R811SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS36/R811CS23/SS26/R811SG PAGE 2 for a person who is rated as having at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability to renew a license plate or tag issued under this section, the person must provide an updated benefits letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs indicating that the person's rating has not been adjusted to less than seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability.

(b) Not more than two (2) such motor vehicle license plates or tags shall be issued under this subsection to each such qualified veteran.* * * person.

Not more than one (1) such motorcycle license plate or tag shall be issued under this subsection to each such qualified veteran.* * * person.

(e) Vehicles and motorcycles owned by such veterans* * * person are exempt under this subsection from all ad valorem and privilege taxes;

however, the surviving spouse of a deceased person who was issued a license plate or tag under this subsection shall be entitled to apply for or retain a license tag issued under this subsection and may continue annually to renew registration for two (2) motor vehicle license plates or tags and one (1) motorcycle license plate or tag under this subsection for as long as the S.spouse remains unmarried.

In addition, if a deceased person who was eligible to be issued a license plate or tag under this subsection did not apply for or was not issued a license plate or tag, the surviving spouse of such deceased person shall be entitled to apply for and be issued a license plate or tag under S.

2187 *SS36/R811CS**SS26/R811SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS36/R811CS23/SS26/R811SG PAGE 3 this subsection and may continue annually to renew registration for two (2) motor vehicle license plates or tags and one (1) motorcycle license tag or plate under this subsection for as long as the spouse remains unmarried.

In addition, if a deceased person who was eligible to be issued a license plate or tag under this subsection did not apply for or was not issued a license plate or tag, the surviving spouse of such deceased person shall be entitled to apply for and be issued a license plate or tag under this subsection and may continue annually to renew registration for two (2) motor vehicle license plates or tags and one (1) motorcycle license tag or plate under this subsection for as long as the spouse remains unmarried.

(3) The Department of Revenue is directed to furnish each veteran* * * person obtaining a license tag under this section an emblem, which the veteran* * * person shall attach securely to the tag, showing that the tag was issued to a disabled American veteran.

S.(4) A license issued under this section shall not be transferable to any other person.

(5) Any person evading or violating any of the provisions of this section, or attempting to secure benefits under this section to which he is not entitled, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars S.

2187 *SS36/R811CS**SS26/R811SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS36/R811CS23/SS26/R811SG PAGE 4 (4)($1,000.00) Aor licenseimprisoned issuedin underthe thiscounty sectionjail shallfor not beless transferablethan toninety any(90) otherdays, person.or both.

(5) Any person evading or violating any of the provisions of this section, or attempting to secure benefits under this section to which he is not entitled, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or imprisoned in the county jail for not less than ninety (90) days, or both.

(1) Any legal resident of the State of Mississippi who is* a* veteran* of service in the Armed Forces of the United States or the Mississippi National Guard or the Mississippi National Guard Reserve, and is rated as having service-connected disability by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, but who is not rated as having one hundred percent (100%) permanent service-connected disability or at least seventy percent (70%) nonpermanent service-connected disability by such department, is privileged to obtain annually under this section a distinctive license tag for any motor vehicle registered in his or her name upon payment of the road and bridge privilege taxes, ad valorem taxes and registration fees as prescribed by law for S.private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles.

B.

No.

2187 *SS36/R811CS* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS36/R811CS PAGE 5 private carriers of passengers, pickup trucks and other noncommercial motor vehicles.

(2)S. Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue.

B.

No.

2187 *SS26/R811SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS26/R811SG PAGE 5 (2) Application for the distinctive license tags authorized by this section shall be made to the county tax collector on forms prescribed by the Department of Revenue.

This act shall take effect and be in force from and after itsJuly passage.1, 2023.

2187 *SS36/R811CS**SS26/R811SG* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 23/SS36/R811CS23/SS26/R811SG ST:

Disabled veterans motor vehicle license PAGE 6 tags;

revise certainPAGE 6 provisions regarding disability rating.rating and persons eligible for.