THIN BLUE LINE LICENSE PLATE - H.B. 4927: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
sans-serif">House Bill 4927 (as passed by the House)
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 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 the passenger motor vehicle, pickup truck, van, motor home, hearse, bus, trailer coach, or trailer for which the plate was issued. 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.
An individual could apply for a Thin Blue Line plate, on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State, as prescribed in Section 811f. (Under Section 811f, 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 Secretary of State would have to issue a collector plate as prescribed in Section 811g (which provides for the development of a collector plate and requires a $25 donation and a $10 service fee).
The Secretary of State would have to transfer the 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 could receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the Fund. He or she would have to direct investment of the Fund, and credit to it interest and earnings from Fund investments. Money in the Fund at the close of the fiscal year would remain in the Fund and not lapse to the General Fund.
The State Treasurer would have to disburse the money on a quarterly basis to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan, P.O. Box 415, Howell, Michigan 48844-0415, or a successor address. By February 1, 2005, and annually thereafter, the organization would have to report to the State Treasurer. The report would have to 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.
Proposed MCL 257.217o & 257.217p - 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 cost to the Department of State to develop the plate would be approximately $15,000.
- Fiscal Analyst: Bill BowermanS0304\s4927sa
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.