Beginning July 1, Mississippi’s newest license plate — the “blackout” tag — is available.

The tag has white text on a sleek black background and is available as a vanity tag only. A portion of the sales of the tag will go to benefit families of fallen law enforcement officers and fire fighters.

The legislation was introduced in the House by Rep. Fred Shanks and in the Senate by Sen. Scott DeLano.

“This will be available for specialized or vanity tags only. A majority of the fee collected goes to the Fallen Officers benefit fund that goes on to help the families that have lost tragically in law enforcement communities across the state,” said Sen. DeLano.

In addition to the regular cost of your vehicle’s tag (your ad valorem taxes), the tag will cost $53 per year, plus a $10 registration fee if it is not time to renew. Of this, $36.25 will go to the State Law Enforcement and Firefighter Death Benefit Trust Fund.

The tags are available for cars, light-duty trucks, motorcycles and non-commercial trailers. Current tags must be surrendered to the tax collector’s office if a tag is being swapped for a blackout plate.

Lincoln County Tax Collector Blake Pickering said his office has had multiple inquiries about the new tag option.

“Based off just the response we have had thus far,” he said, “it seems like it will easily be the most popular specialty plate we have ever had.”