THIN BLUE LINE LICENSE PLATE H.B. 4927 (S-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS








House Bill 4927 (Substitute S-3 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Representative Chris Ward
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation

CONTENT


The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State to develop and issue a State-sponsored Thin Blue Line fund-raising registration plate and matching collector plate; and require donations collected from the sale of the plate to be credited to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan to provide assistance and support to the families of injured or deceased law enforcement officers. The bill also would delete the seven-plate limit on the number of State-sponsored fund-raising registration plates that the Secretary of State may develop at any one time.


The Secretary of State could issue a State-sponsored Thin Blue Line registration plate, instead of a standard registration plate, to an applicant for use on a motor vehicle. In conjunction with the Thin Blue Line of Michigan, the Secretary of State would have to design the plate. The words (Thin Blue Line( would have to be inscribed on it, and the word (Michigan( would have to appear on it.


Under the Code, an application for an original fund-raising plate must be accompanied by a $25 fund-raising donation, payment of the regular registration tax, and a $10 service fee. An application for renewal of a fund-raising plate must be accompanied by payment of the regular registration tax and a $10 donation. The Code requires a $25 donation and a $10 service fee for a collector plate.


The Secretary of State would have to transfer the Thin Blue Line plate donation money to the State Treasurer, who would have to credit the money to the "Thin Blue Line Fund", which the bill would create within the State Treasury.


The State Treasurer would have to disburse the money on a quarterly basis to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan. By February 1, 2005, and annually thereafter, the organization would have to report to the State Treasurer, and include a summary of expenditures of the money received during the preceding year. The Thin Blue Line would have to spend the money solely to assist and support the families of injured or deceased officers of law enforcement agencies within the State.


MCL 257.811e et al. Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval

FISCAL IMPACT


Revenue generated for special causes from the sale of seven fund-raising plates in FY 2002-03 totaled $1.3 million (from original and renewal transactions). The sale of university fund-raising plates generated $1.1 million in FY 2002-03. The revenue that would be generated from the Thin Blue Line fund-raising plate is not determinable. The Department of State's cost to develop the new plate would be approximately $15,000.


Date Completed: 4-21-04 Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman

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. hb4927/0304 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.