Mississippi House Bill HB636

Mississippi 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/22
• Refer: 1/14/22
• Failed: 2/1/22

Caption

Distinctive motor vehicle license tags; reauthorize issuance to supporters of Meridian High School.

Impact

The implementation of this bill is expected to have a positive financial impact on Meridian High School through the distribution of fees generated from the issuance of these tags. Specifically, the bill stipulates that a significant portion of the fees collected ($24 out of the $30 additional fee) will directly support the school, thereby providing additional resources that can be utilized for programs, facilities, or other educational needs. Additionally, a small fraction of the collected fees will contribute to the Mississippi Burn Care Fund and the State Highway Fund.

Summary

House Bill 636 aims to amend Section 27-19-56.373 of the Mississippi Code of 1972 to reauthorize the issuance of distinctive motor vehicle license tags for supporters of Meridian High School. This bill allows residents who own motor vehicles to apply for these special tags upon payment of designated fees in addition to standard registration fees. The distinctive tags are to support the school's identity and can be personalized in design, determined in consultation with the school's principal.

Contention

While the bill primarily enjoys local support from the community surrounding Meridian High School, its financial implications and source of funding have sparked some discussions. Critics may argue about the equity of imposing additional fees on vehicle registrations for a particular entity, though the overall sentiment within the supporting community seems to favor the initiative. There is also the potential for a broader discussion about the nature of discretionary funding allocations at a state level, especially how such funding might impact local educational institutions and their outreach capabilities.