VEHICLE VIDEO DISPLAY S.B. 643: COMMITTEE SUMMARY


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Senate Bill 643 (as introduced 7-19-07)
Sponsor: Senator Cameron S. Brown
Committee: Transportation


Date Completed: 9-6-07

CONTENT The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to permit a vehicle to be equipped with a video display to enhance the driver's view on all sides of the vehicle (rather than to the rear only), under certain conditions.
Under the Code, a person may not equip or operate a motor vehicle with a television viewer, screen, or other means of viewing a television or video broadcast that can be viewed by or reflected to the driver.


The Code provides certain exceptions to that prohibition. A motor vehicle may be equipped with a video display to monitor the rear view of the vehicle, if the monitor is activated only when the vehicle is motionless or in reverse gear and is deactivated within 15 seconds after the vehicle's transmission is shifted out of reverse.


The bill, instead, would permit a motor vehicle to be equipped with 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 were deactivated automatically at forward speeds over 12 miles an hour.


MCL 257.708b Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a minimal fiscal impact on State and local government. The bill would broaden the types of video displays permitted in motor vehicles. To the extent that this would lead to a decline in the number of people found responsible for civil infractions, the State would see a small decrease in revenue. There are no data to indicate the number of violations of this section of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Civil infraction revenue supports public libraries.

Fiscal Analyst: Stephanie Yu

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. sb643/0708