MS HB1426

Increases the death benefit paid from the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Death Benefits Trust Fund from $65,000 to $100,000 for covered individuals (law enforcement officers and firefighters) killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.

Expands the definition of "covered individual" to include both law enforcement officers and firefighters (previously applied only to law enforcement officers) with consistent benefit amounts for both groups.

Increases the criminal assessment funding the death benefits trust fund from $1.00 to $1.50 across all violation categories: traffic violations, implied consent law violations, game and fish violations, other misdemeanors, and other felonies.

Establishes the trust fund with an initial appropriation of $200,000 and allows it to be funded through legislative appropriations, donations, and contributions, with investment authority under Public Employees' Retirement System guidelines.

Implements the assessment increases effective immediately for traffic, implied consent, game and fish, misdemeanor, and felony violations to generate additional revenue for the enhanced death benefits.