HB 1728 Summary

• Increases sales tax on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, and jet skis from 7% to 8% effective July 1, 2023.

• Increases sales tax on retail alcoholic beverages from 7% to 8% effective July 1, 2023.

• Increases excise tax on cigarettes from 3.4 cents to 4.4 cents per cigarette and on other tobacco products and vapor products from 15% to 16% of manufacturer's list price effective July 1, 2023.

• Creates the "Mississippi Hospitals Uncompensated Care Assistance Fund" in the State Treasury to receive revenue from the tax increases, with funds allocated 80% equally to all hospitals and 20% to hospitals with 75 or fewer licensed beds based on uncompensated care provided.

• Establishes the Department of Health to administer the program and allocate reimbursements to hospitals for uncompensated medical treatment services upon appropriation by the Legislature.