Mississippi Governor Signs New Tint-Law

Mississippi governor Haley Barbour has signed House Bill 1215 into law on March 23, 2006, and it took effect immediately.

The law, an amendment to Mississippi Code 1972 Section 63-7-59 bars vehicles registered in the state from having "any glazing material which causes a mirrored effect" on any of the windows of the car and bars tint, glazing or "darkening material of any kind" on the windshield of vehicles registered in the state, with the exception of "material designed to replace or provide a sun shield in the uppermost area as authorized to be installed by manufacturers of vehicles under federal law."

Additionally, effective July 1, 2006, the law requires any vehicle with tinted windows to have a label on its windshield "certifying that all windows of the vehicle have a light transmittance of 28 percent or more" or a certificate of medical exemption. Owners of vehicles with tinted windows will be able to get them inspected at inspection stations and cost $5.00; the maximum penalty for operating a vehicle with illegally tinted windows is a fine of $1000, three months in jail or both.

The International Window Film Association (IWFA) and its membership has worked with Mississippi legislators for two years to bring about these changes to local law and the IWFA is pleased with the outcome. Issuing a legislative alert statement, the IWFA warned window film shops in Mississippi about the necessity of abiding by the new law.

"It should also be noted that our industry must fully comply with the standards of this law. Any actions that could be seen as ignoring or pushing the limits will create problems for the industry. Remember that all it takes is for one legislator to modify this law with future legislative proposals. The industry has successfully addressed the challenges presented in this state over the last ten years that were the most potentially detrimental to the industry. We now have a good law withal members better understanding the issue and participating in the resolution of the problems. We must support this effort. Anyone who fails to do so will be fined and plac these efforts in jeopardy," the statement said.

CLICK HERE to read the PDF of the IWFA legislative alert and original language of the bill as it was submitted to Governor Barbour.