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Bill > HB1656


MS HB1656

MS HB1656
Strengthening Troop Retention for our National Guard (STRONG) Act; create.


summary

Introduced
01/30/2025
In Committee
01/30/2025
Crossed Over
02/11/2025
Passed
Dead
02/28/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Create The Strengthening Troop Retention For Our National Guard (strong) Act; To Amend Section 27-7-15, Mississippi Code Of 1972, To Increase The Income Tax Exemption For National Guard And Reserve Forces Members; To Create A New Section Of Law That Provides A Credit Against Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Taxes In The Amount Of Five Hundred Dollars Per Year For The Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Taxes For One Or More Motor Vehicles Titled In The Name Of A Service Member, And The Spouse Of Dependent Thereof; To Provide The Definition Of Service Member; To Create The Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program To Award Grants To Reimburse Certain Members Of The National Guard For The Cost Of Premiums For Tricare Reserve Select Health Care Plans; To Provide The Eligibility For The Program; To Provide That The Adjutant General Of The Mississippi National Guard Shall Administer The Program; To Require The Adjutant General To Provide A Report On The Program To The Legislature; To Bring Forward Sections 27-19-51, 27-51-41, 27-19-5, 27-19-43, 27-19-53 And 27-33-75, Mississippi Code Of 1972, For The Purpose Of Possible Amendment; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the Strengthening Troop Retention for our National Guard (STRONG) Act, introduces several benefits and tax incentives for Mississippi National Guard members and veterans. The bill increases the income tax exemption for National Guard and Reserve Forces members from $15,000 to $25,000 for taxable years after 2024, provides a $250 annual credit against motor vehicle ad valorem taxes for service members and their spouses, and establishes the Mississippi National Guard Tricare Premium Reimbursement Program. Under this program, eligible actively drilling National Guard members can receive reimbursement for Tricare Reserve Select health care plan premiums, with the goal of enhancing medical readiness and promoting personnel retention. To qualify for the motor vehicle tax credit, service members must obtain an approved National Guard license plate, and they must provide proof of military service, vehicle ownership, and, if applicable, their spousal or dependent relationship. The Adjutant General will administer the Tricare reimbursement program and is required to provide an annual report to the Legislature detailing the program's impact on medical readiness and troop retention. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will be automatically repealed on June 30, 2025, unless further legislative action is taken.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance

Sponsors (95)

Shane Aguirre (R)* Brent Anderson (R)* Otis Anthony (D)* Tracy Arnold (R)* Willie Bailey (D)* Earle Banks (D)* Shane Barnett (R)* Manly Barton (R)* Christopher Bell (D)* Donnie Bell (R)* Richard Bennett (R)* Lawrence Blackmon (D)* Charles Blackwell (R)* Andy Boyd (R)* Elliot Burch (R)* Cedric Burnett (D)* Grace Butler-Washington (D)* Larry Byrd (R)* Billy Adam Calvert (R)* Lester Carpenter (R)* Carolyn Crawford (R)* Ronnie Crudup (D)* Becky Currie (R)* Oscar Denton (D)* Clay Deweese (R)* Jim Estrada (R)* Dan Eubanks (R)* Casey Eure (R)* John Faulkner (D)* Kevin Felsher (R)* Jimmy Fondren (R)* Jill Ford (R)* Stephanie Foster (D)* Justis Gibbs (D)* Karl Gibbs (D)* Zachary Grady (R)* Jeffrey Guice (R)* Jeff Hale (R)* Rodney Hall (R)* Greg Haney (R)* Jeffery Harness (D)* W.I. Harris (R)* Josh Hawkins (R)* John Hines (D)* Stacey Hobgood-Wilkes (R)* Kenji Holloway (D)* Joey Hood (R)* Jeffrey Hulum (D)* Celeste Hurst (R)* Timaka James-Jones (D)* Kabir Karriem (D)* Justin Keen (R)* Timmy Ladner (R)* Trey Lamar (R)* Jon Lancaster (R)* Steve Lott (R)* Vince Mangold (R)* Clay Mansell (R)* Steve Massengill (R)* Brad Mattox (R)* Kent McCarty (R)* Hester McCray (D)* Missy McGee (R)* Jay McKnight (R)* Dana McLean (R)* Jonathan McMillan (R)* Carl Mickens (D)* Ken Morgan (R)* Fabian Nelson (D)* Gene Newman (R)* Karl Oliver (R)* Jansen Owen (R)* Orlando Paden (D)* Bill Pigott (R)* Brent Powell (R)* Kimberly Remak (R)* Rob Roberson (R)* Tracey Rosebud (D)* Randy Rushing (R)* Robert Sanders (D)* Noah Sanford (R)* Donnie Scoggin (R)* Troy Smith (R)* Jody Steverson (R)* Zakiya Summers (D)* Cheikh Taylor (D)* Rickey Thompson (D)* Joseph Tubb (R)* Mark Tullos (R)* Lance Varner (R)* Beth Luther Waldo (R)* Price Wallace (R)* Percy Watson (D)* Shanda Yates (I)* Hank Zuber (R)*

Last Action

Died On Calendar (on 02/28/2025)

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