MICHIGAN ZOO SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE
House Bill 4992
Sponsor: Rep. David Woodward
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 7-2-01
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4992 AS INTRODUCED 6-26-01
House Bill 4992 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the secretary of state to design, and upon application to issue, a state-sponsored "Support Zoos" fund-raising registration plate.
Under current law, the secretary of state can develop up to six different limited term registration plates to recognize a state-sponsored event (all of which have been issued), a Michigan university, or an accomplishment or occasion of a Michigan university. The secretary of state is authorized to develop, promote, and market the fund-raising registration plates and matching collector plates with the funds available through service fees that are raised when the plates are sold.
Under the bill, those making application for the new registration plate bearing the "Support Zoos" design would be required to follow the existing motor vehicle registration and re-registration procedure, except that a $5 service fee and a donation of $25 would be added to the annual vehicle registration tax.
House Bill 4992 would require that the $25 donation in support of zoos be deposited by the secretary of state into the "Support Zoos" fund created within the state treasury. Further, the secretary of state would be required to disburse one-quarter of the money in the fund, on a quarterly basis, to each of the following:
· Detroit Zoological Park in Royal Oak;
· Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek;
· John Ball Zoological Garden in Grand Rapids; and,
· Potter Park Zoo in Lansing.
Under the bill, the state treasurer could receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the "Support Zoos" fund; would direct investment of the fund; and, credit to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments. Money in the fund at the end of the fiscal year would remain in the fund, rather than lapse to the general fund. Finally, the bill specifies that an agency that received money under this legislation would be required to provide an annual accounting of the money's use to the state treasurer.
MCL 257.217q and 257.217r
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.