DRIVER LICENSE:  VETERAN DESIGNATION                                             H.B. 4037 (H-2):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

House Bill 4037 (Substitute H-2 reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Nancy E. Jenkins

House Committee:  Military and Veterans Affairs

Senate Committee:  Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:

-- Require the Secretary of State (SOS) to include a person's status as a military veteran on his or her driver license, if the person requested the designation and he or she were a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, Michigan, or another state, and had not been dishonorably discharged.

-- Require the SOS to obtain proof of discharge or separation of service to verify a person's status as a veteran.

-- Require the SOS to consult with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) in determining the proof necessary to identify a person's veteran status.

-- Allow the SOS to give information provided by an applicant to the DMVA and county veteran agencies in order to refer the applicant for eligibility for veterans' benefits.

The bill would take effect on May 1, 2014.

MCL 257.310                                                           Legislative Analyst:  Patrick Affholter

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would create a one-time cost to the Department of State of an estimated $160,000 associated with reprogramming and modification of the Department's driver license/State ID production process.  Additionally, assuming a 20% participation rate among eligible veterans, the Department estimates a cost of $531,000 for staff, manufacturing, and mailing costs. This cost would be spread over a number of years and would ultimately depend on the number of veterans choosing to have the designation placed on their driver license.

Date Completed:  3-13-13                                                    Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

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.