DUCKS UNLIMITED LICENSE PLATE S.B. 234:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 234 (as introduced 2-27-13)
Sponsor: Senator Randy Richardville
Committee: Government Operations
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State to develop, and permit the Secretary to State to issue, a fund-raising plate and a matching collector plate recognizing Ducks Unlimited. The words "Ducks Unlimited" would have to be inscribed on the plates.
The Secretary of State would have to transfer the fund-raising donations received from the sale of the plates to the State Treasurer, who would have to credit the money to the Ducks Unlimited Fund.
The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 4337, which would amend the Code to create the Ducks Unlimited Fund, and require the State Treasurer to distribute money in the Fund on a quarterly basis to the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. The money could be spent only to protect, enhance, restore, manage, and acquire wetland and associated upland in the State, except that a portion could be used to fund education and outreach regarding wetland conservation and to cover reasonable costs of advertising and administration.
BACKGROUND
Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, the Secretary of State may not develop or issue a fund-raising plate unless a public act authorizing the plate identifies its purpose; creates a nonprofit fund or designates an existing nonprofit fund to receive the money raised through the sale of the fund-raising plates and matching collector plates; and names the person or entity responsible for administering the fund.
The Code prescribes a start-up fee of $15,000 for any new fund-raising plate. In addition, a fund-raising plate must meet or exceed sales goals of 2,000 in the first year and 500 each year for the next six years. The Secretary of State may discontinue a fund-raising plate that fails to meet the sales goals.
Purchasers of a fund-raising plate must pay a $25 donation and a $10 service fee above the cost of a standard plate. Purchasers of a collector plate must pay a $25 donation and a $10 service fee.
Legislative Analyst: Suzanne Lowe
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create a start-up cost to the Department of State; however, the start-up fee of $15,000 prescribed in the Code would have to be paid to the Department of State from the Ducks Unlimited Fund proposed in House Bill 4337. The revenue generated from the fund-raising license plate established under the Senate bill would be deposited into the proposed Fund, after which the State Treasurer would disburse payments from the Fund to the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.
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.