MEDAL OF HONOR PLATES - S.B. 737: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 737 (as introduced 9-23-99)
Sponsor: Senator Bill Schuette
Committee: Transportation and Tourism
Date Completed: 11-9-99
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to:
-- Permit more than one specialty registration plate to be issued to recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
-- Require an application for the specialty plate to include a $5 service fee and proof that the person received the Congressional Medal.
-- Exempt from payment of the vehicle registration fee a person who was issued a Medal of Honor specialty plate.
-- Provide for the issuance of a tab for persons with disabilities who applied for a Medal of Honor specialty plate.
-- Provide that the use of a Medal of Honor specialty plate on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate was issued, or the use by a person who did not qualify for the plate, would be a misdemeanor.
Currently, the Secretary of State (SOS) is required to design a special Congressional Medal of Honor registration plate for State residents who received the Congressional Medal. A special registration plate may be issued only for one vehicle intended for personal use by the applicant. Under the bill, one or more of the specialty plates could be issued for passenger vehicles for personal use by the applicant.
Under the bill, a person who received a Congressional Medal of Honor could apply to the Secretary of State for a special registration plate on a form prescribed by the SOS, which would have to be accompanied by any proof that the applicant had been a Medal of Honor recipient that the SOS could require. A $5 service fee would have to accompany the application. A person who qualified to be issued a Medal of Honor special registration plate would be entitled to one or more of these plates that would be exempt from payment of the Code's registration fees.
A person with disabilities who applied for a Medal of Honor special registration plate would have to be issued a tab for persons with disabilities, as provided in the Code, for his or her special registration plate. The SOS would have to require the same proof that the applicant was disabled as is required under the Code for issuance of a permanent windshield placard.
A Medal of Honor special registration plate would expire on the vehicle owner's birthday. A $5 service fee would have to accompany an application for renewal of the special plate. The applicant would not be required to furnish proof of having been a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient required under the bill or to pay the renewal fee.
MCL 257.217d - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
FISCAL IMPACT
There are very few living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients in the State. The provisions of this bill would have a minimal fiscal impact on the State.
- Fiscal Analyst: E. Limbs
- P. AlderferS9900\s737sa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.