MS HB977

Expands the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Death Benefits Trust Fund to include emergency management agency personnel, volunteer firefighters, and fire chiefs of volunteer fire departments.

Renames the trust fund to the "Safety Officials Death Benefits Trust Fund" and maintains the $65,000 death benefit payment when covered individuals are killed or fatally injured while performing official duties.

Establishes an initial $200,000 appropriation for the trust fund, with funds invested according to Public Employees' Retirement System rules and unexpended amounts carried forward annually.

Updates Section 99-19-73 to rename all references to the trust fund from "Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund" to "Safety Officials Death Benefits Trust Fund" across traffic violation, implied consent, game and fish, misdemeanor, and felony violation assessments.

Takes effect July 1, 2013.