MississippiSB 28342026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

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

Sponsored By: J. Walter Michel (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Ways and MeansFinance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

15 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 9 mixed.

Gold Star family license plates

Gold Star family members can get a special plate starting July 1, 2020. You must show Defense Department proof that your loved one died on active duty during hostilities or wartime and prove your relationship. You pay $30 when you get the plate and $30 each year to renew. One plate for the mother and one for the unremarried spouse are exempt from ad valorem taxes, privilege taxes, and other plate taxes and fees. Personalized Gold Star plates are allowed if you pay the required personalization fee.

New military and Guard recognition plates

Starting July 1, 2026, distinctive motor vehicle and motorcycle plates are available for many military groups. Eligible groups include active‑duty career completers, active and retired Army or Air National Guard, U.S. Reserves, retired active‑duty members, and retired Merchant Marines from WWII dates. Applicants must show specific proof, like a commanding officer certificate for Guard/Reserves or DD‑214/retirement orders. The Adjutant General may assign up to 100 special National Guard plates numbered 1–100 for senior leaders. State Military Department vehicles may use Guard plates with an “MNG” prefix, and the Adjutant General provides annual county plate estimates.

Gold Star family tags are tax-free

One Gold Star plate for the mother and one for the unremarried spouse are tax-free. They are exempt from ad valorem taxes, privilege taxes, and all other tag taxes and fees. The service member must have died on active duty after September 11, 2001 during hostilities or wartime. You must apply and provide proof, or the county can waive proof if it knows you qualify.

Female veteran plates: $30 fee and proof

Female veterans can get a special plate for an extra $30 each year, starting with tag years on or after July 1, 2022. You must show proof of service, like a DD-214 or a letter from Mississippi Veterans Affairs. The county keeps $2 of the $30 and sends the rest to the state: $24 supports Mississippi Veterans Affairs, $1 the Burn Care Fund, $2 the Highway Fund, and $1 a special fund. If your plate is lost or stolen, a replacement costs $10 and the county keeps 5%. Keep your regular tag on until your new plate is issued; you must surrender it, and the county may issue up to two decals.

New charity and school license plates

Beginning July 1, 2026, Mississippi residents can buy new specialty plates that support named schools, charities, parks, health groups, and Wildlife Mississippi. You pay an extra $30 each year per plate. Of each $30, $24 goes to the named group, $1 to the Burn Care Fund, $2 to the State Highway Fund, and $1 to a special state fund; the county keeps $2 from the application. Replacing a lost or stolen plate costs $10; counties keep 5%. Some plates require the sponsor to meet legal steps before July 1, 2029, and Wildlife Mississippi also offers a black-background design.

Rules to replace or switch plates

You must keep your regular tag displayed until your distinctive plate is issued, then surrender the regular tag to the county. Counties may give up to two decals that expire with the regular tag. Replacing a lost or stolen distinctive plate costs $10. The county keeps 5% of each $10 replacement fee and sends the rest for state distribution. These rules apply to combat, Desert Storm/Shield, Space Force, and other distinctive plates beginning July 1, 2026.

Veteran plates with $30 annual fee

Honorably discharged Mississippi veterans can get a special license plate. You pay an extra $30 each year, at issue and renewal, on top of regular taxes and fees. You must show proof of service, like a DD-214 or a letter from Mississippi Veterans Affairs. The fee supports indigent veterans and helps operate state veterans homes and cemeteries.

Surviving spouse plates, no transfers

Starting July 1, 2026, a surviving spouse can get the same type of distinctive plate their deceased spouse had, including POW plates. Also starting July 1, 2026, you cannot transfer a distinctive plate when you sell or give away the vehicle. You must keep the plate and return it to the county tax collector or the Department of Revenue.

Combat veteran license plates

Combat veterans can get a recognition plate for each private, noncommercial vehicle. Apply at your county tax office with written proof of combat service; the county keeps $2 of the extra fee. You pay an extra $30 when you first get the plate and $30 each year to renew, starting with registration years on or after July 1, 2020. If you already had a combat plate before July 8, 2020, you can renew without re‑submitting proof.

Desert Storm and Shield plates

Veterans of Operation Desert Storm or Operation Desert Shield can get a distinctive plate for each privately registered vehicle. Apply on state forms and show written proof of qualifying service; the county keeps $2 of the extra fee. You pay an extra $30 at first issue and $30 each year to renew, for registration years starting on or after July 1, 2021. Normal registration taxes and fees still apply.

Female veteran license plates

Female veterans can get a distinctive plate for each privately registered vehicle. You must follow normal registration rules and show proof as required. Most distinctive plates carry an extra $30 each year to issue and renew. This program applies beginning July 1, 2026.

How your $30 plate fee is used

The law splits each extra $30 fee for veteran plates. $24 goes to a Mississippi Veterans Affairs fund for indigent veterans and veterans homes and cemeteries, $1 to the Burn Care Fund, $2 to the State Highway Fund, and $1 to a special state fund. The Department of Revenue deposits the fees daily and reports totals monthly. These allocation rules apply beginning July 1, 2026.

Motorcycle plates for veterans

Veterans can get a distinctive motorcycle plate starting July 1, 2020. You must show proof of service, such as a DD‑214, military ID, or a state certification. You pay $30 each year for the plate, on top of normal registration. The fee supports indigent veterans and state veterans homes and cemeteries. Plates are not transferable, and dishonorable discharges are not eligible.

Plates for medal and campaign vets

Mississippi veterans with certain awards can get special plates for each vehicle. This includes Bronze Star, Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, and Iraq or Afghanistan campaign/expeditionary medals. You must show written proof of the award or service. You pay an extra $30 when you get the plate and $30 each year to renew. Most of the fee supports Mississippi veterans’ services, with set amounts also going to highways and burn care.

Space Force veteran license plates

Starting July 1, 2026, Space Force veterans can get a special plate for each private, noncommercial vehicle. You must show written proof of Space Force service, like a DD‑214 or a state veterans certification. You pay an extra $30 when you first get the plate and $30 each year to renew. The county tax collector keeps $2 of the extra fee.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

J. Walter Michel
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 343 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 52 • No: 0

House vote • 3/31/2026