COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE REVISIONS - S.B. 1232: FLOOR ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 1232 (as reported with amendment)
Sponsor: Senator John J. H. Schwarz, M.D.
Committee: Transportation and Tourism
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to revise certain requirements for obtaining and maintaining a commercial driver's license, and to make other changes regarding operator's and chauffeur's licenses. Specifically, the bill would:
-- Adopt Federal regulations requiring all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) to follow distinct safety procedures at railroad crossings.
-- Require the Secretary of State immediately to suspend or revoke all vehicle group designations on an operator's or chauffeur's license upon receiving notice of the licensee's failure to follow the railroad safety precautions.
-- Prohibit employers from allowing or requiring a driver to operate a CMV in violation of any Federal or State laws governing railroad crossings in a CMV.
-- Require the Secretary of State to check the National Driver Register before issuing an original, renewal, or upgrade of a commercial driver's license to an out-of-State applicant; and prohibit the Secretary of State from issuing or renewing a vehicle group designation to an applicant who was listed on the National Driver Register or the Commercial Driver License Information System as being disqualified from operating a CMV or as having a driving license or privilege suspended, revoked, or denied.
-- Require the Secretary of State, police officers, and judicial officers to destroy, rather than retain, suspended or revoked driver's licenses.
-- Delete a provision under a licensee may not renew an operator's or chauffeur's license by mail, if he or she has a driving record with a conviction or civil infraction determination received in the preceding 48 months
-- Require a license applicant to supply a birth certificate attesting to his or her age or other sufficient documents or identification required by the Secretary of State.
The bill would take effect October 1, 2002.
MCL 257.6 et al. - Legislative Analyst: Claire Layman
FISCAL IMPACT
This bill would have an indeterminate impact on the Department of State. Cost savings could result from enactment of the bill. Transactions in branch offices could be reduced somewhat since persons holding valid driver's licenses could renew by mail even if they had received a conviction or civil infraction determination within the 48 months preceding renewal. It is unknown how many transactions this would constitute or how many people would use this renewal option. Additionally, the Department would no longer hold onto commercial driver's licenses that were revoked or suspended. This could reduce administrative costs slightly.
Date Completed: 5-2-02 - Fiscal Analyst: Jessica RunnelsFloor\sb1232 - Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.state.mi.us/sfa
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.