MS HB1656

Establishes new tax of 18 cents per 100 cubic feet on natural gas sold by utilities to private refueling systems or public refueling stations for compression into compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicle fuel, effective until date specified in Section 65-39-35, then 14.4 cents per 100 cubic feet thereafter.

Requires utilities selling natural gas for private or public refueling purposes to install separate meters and obtain written notification from the Department of Revenue; prohibits meter installation without first receiving a copy of the private or public refueling station permit from the user or distributor.

Requires persons operating private refueling systems or public refueling stations to first obtain a permit from the Department of Revenue and pay a one-time, nonrefundable application fee of $25.

Excludes persons operating private refueling systems from the definitions of "refiner," "processor," and "distributor" for tax purposes.

Effective July 1, 2012.