SOS OFFICE LOCATIONS

House Bill 5686

Sponsor:  Rep. Kathy Angerer

Committee:  Government Operations

Complete to 12-14-09

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5686 AS INTRODUCED 12-10-09

The bill would amend the section of the Michigan Vehicle Code that specifies where the Secretary of State must maintain offices.

Currently, Section 205 of the Vehicle Code requires the Secretary of State to maintain an office in the Capitol complex and other places in the state as considered necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the office.  The code also requires that at least one office be established in each county and one office in each city with a population of 10,000 or more, although the city requirement does not apply within a radius of five miles from a county office location and does not apply in counties with a population of 300,000 or more, nor to contiguous cities with a population of 10,000 or more.

House Bill 5686 would, instead, require that at least one office be established as follows:  (1) in each county of the state; (2) in each city or township of the state with a population of 10,000 or more, but not within a radius of five miles from a county or township office location.  The city/township requirement, however, would not apply in a county with a population of 300,000 or more.  (The language about contiguous cities would be struck.)

MCL 257.205

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5686 would have an indeterminate, but likely negative, fiscal impact on state government.  By eliminating the statutory provision allowing two contiguous towns with a combined population of 10,000 or more to share a branch office, the bill will increase costs to the state in the form of increased salaries and benefits, increased rent, and increased administrative costs associated with branch operations due to the increase in the number of branch offices.  The costs could be offset to some degree by more efficient service.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielzcyk

■ 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.