SB-0643, As Passed Senate, September 25, 2007

SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 643

     A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

"Michigan vehicle code,"

by amending section 708b (MCL 257.708b), as amended by 2004 PA 362.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

     Sec. 708b. (1) A person shall not equip or operate a motor

vehicle that is to be used upon the highways of this state with a

television viewer, screen, or other means of visually receiving a

television or video broadcast which or other similar electronic

device that displays a video image that can be viewed by or

reflected to the driver operator while the vehicle is in motion.

     (2) This section does not apply to:

     (a) A radio An audio entertainment system, heating and or air-

conditioning controls, or other accessory controls in the motor

vehicle.

     (b) Driver, passenger, and A vehicle information and or

navigation systems system for use in displaying only information

pertaining to vehicle location, available routes and destinations,

road layouts, weather conditions, traffic and road conditions, and

vehicle conditions, or traveler services.

     (c) Research vehicles A research vehicle if the test plan for

the vehicle has been approved by a process meeting federal

guidelines established in 45 CFR part 46 for the protection of

human beings and the vehicle has been issued a special registration

permit by the secretary of state.

     (d) 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 enhance or supplement the driver's view.

     (e) A police vehicle, fire vehicle, or ambulance equipped with

a monitor for use with a computer-aided dispatch system or

emergency equipment controls.

     (f) A police vehicle equipped with a monitor for use with

recording equipment.

     (3) A visual device permitted under subsection (2)(b) (2)(a)

or (b) shall be built into the dashboard or other control area of

the vehicle and shall meet all applicable federal motor vehicle

dash safety standards. An aftermarket visual device shall not be

installed or mounted on the windshield, above the dashboard, in an

area within the deployment profile of the vehicle air bags, or in a

manner that interferes with the operator's view or control. This

subsection does not apply to a navigational device described in

subsection (2)(b) or to research vehicle described in subsection

(2)(c).

     (4) Upon receipt of a completed application, on a form

prescribed by the secretary of state, and payment of a fee of

$10.00, the secretary of state may issue a special permit

authorizing a research vehicle to use the highways of this state. A

copy of the authority received by the applicant under subsection

(2)(c) shall be submitted as part of the application for the

special permit. The special permit may be in a form as prescribed

by, and shall be displayed on a research vehicle in a manner

determined by, the secretary of state. The special permit shall

expire upon completion of or expiration of the specific test plan

approved under subsection (2)(c), whichever occurs first, and shall

be immediately removed from the research vehicle and destroyed. A

special permit shall not be transferred to another vehicle or

person. The fee collected under this subsection shall be credited

to the Michigan transportation fund and used to defray the expenses

of the secretary of state in administering the special permit

program. In addition to a special permit, the appropriate vehicle

registration plate shall be displayed on a research vehicle to use

a highway of this state.

     (5) A person who violates this section is responsible for a

civil infraction.