MOTOR VEHICLE VIDEO DISPLAYS

House Bill 5021

Sponsor:  Rep. Kathy Angerer

Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 10-10-07

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5021 AS INTRODUCED 7-10-07

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code.  The code prohibits equipping a motor vehicle with a television viewer or screen that can be viewed by or reflected to the driver, but it contains exceptions.  House Bill 5021 would rewrite one of the exceptions.

Currently, the prohibition does not apply to a motor vehicle equipped with a video display to monitor the rear view of the vehicle if the monitor is only activated when the vehicle is motionless or in reverse gear and is deactivated within 15 seconds after the motor vehicle's transmission is shifted out of reverse gear.

House Bill 5021 would make the exception apply instead to a video display to enhance or supplement the driver's view forward, behind, or to the side of a motor vehicle for the purpose of maneuvering the vehicle, if the display is automatically deactivated at forward speeds in excess of 12 miles per hour.

 

MCL 257.708b

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no significant fiscal impact.  To the extent that civil infraction traffic violations are reduced because of the bill's provisions, local libraries, local court funding units, and the Justice System Fund (JSF) might see a slight decrease in revenue. 

Under current law, fine revenue for civil infraction violations are directed to country treasurers for local library funding and any court costs that are assessed go to the governmental unit that funds the local court.  In addition, the JSF receives a $40 assessment for each civil infraction traffic violation.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mark Wolf

■ 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.