REGISTRATION PLATE ON VEHICLE WITHIN 30 DAYS

House Bill 4535 (H-1) as reported from Committee

Sponsor:  Rep. Curt VanderWall

Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Complete to 10-26-17

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4535 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to specify that a valid registration plate issued for the current registration year must be attached to and displayed on a vehicle no later than 30 days after the vehicle is registered or its registration is renewed.

Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, a person or owner of a motor vehicle is prohibited from operating a vehicle on any highway unless a valid registration plate, issued by the department, is displayed on the vehicle for the current registration year.

The bill also provides that for these purposes, a printed or electronic copy of a valid registration or verification of a valid registration through the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) would be proof of a vehicle’s registration or registration renewal.

MCL 257.255

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state and local units of government.

Depending on the number of people charged with misdemeanors or who received civil infractions under provisions of the bill that are being eliminated, the bill could result in decreased costs for local units of government related to county jails and/or local misdemeanor probation supervision or a decrease in the amount of revenue going to the state Justice System Fund (JSF).  The costs of local incarceration in county jails and local misdemeanor probation supervision vary by jurisdiction. 

Civil infraction penalty revenue that goes to the JSF supports various justice-related endeavors in the judicial branch and the Departments of State Police, Corrections, and Health and Human Services.  There could also be a decrease in penal fine revenues, which would decrease funding for local libraries, which are the constitutionally designated recipients of those revenues.

POSITION:

The Secretary of State testified in support of the bill. (10-17-17)

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                Fiscal Analysts:   Robin Risko

                                                                                                                           Michael Cnossen

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.