BOSNIA & KOSOVO SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES FOR VETERANS

House Bill 6093

Complete to 11-14-00

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6093 AS INTRODUCED 11-9-00

House Bill 6093 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to provide for a specialty license plate for veterans who served in Bosnia and Kosovo.

Specifically, the bill would add a new section to the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow a person who was a member, or a person whose spouse was a member, of the Michigan National Guard, the United States armed forces reserve, or any branch of the armed services, and who was called to active duty during the armed conflict in Bosnia or Kosovo, to apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate. Under the bill the plate would be required to display an appropriate vignette preceding the registration number, and to have the word "veteran" inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

The bill would require that application for a special registration plate be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and be accompanied by proof of the applicant (or applicant's spouse) having been a war or conflict veteran. The application would also have to be accompanied by a $5 service fee.

Upon proper application and payment of the $5 fee, the secretary of state would be required to issue one or more special registration plates for each applicant, for use on a passenger vehicle. A person who was disabled and who applied for a special registration plate under this provision would be issued a tab for people with disabilities, and the secretary of state would require the same proof that the applicant was disabled as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard. A person issued one or more special registration plates also would be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801, which sets the registration fees for all vehicles.

The special registration plate issued under the bill would expire on the birthday of the vehicle owner. When new plates were issued, the application for renewal of the special registration plate would require a $5 service fee; however, the applicant would not be required to again furnish proof of his or her veteran status.

Finally, House Bill 6093 specifies that the use of a special registration plate on a vehicle other than that for which the plate was issued, or by a person who did not qualify under the bill, would be a misdemeanor.

MCL 257.803q

Analyst: J. Hunault

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.