S.B. 927: COMMITTEE SUMMARY ANTIQUE CAR PLATES
Senate Bill 927 (as introduced 3-13-96) Sponsor: Senator Joel D. Gougeon Committee: Transportation and Tourism
Date Completed: 4-17-96
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to:
-- Increase from $15 to $35 the fee that must be paid by the owner of a historic vehicle applying for a historic vehicle registration plate or a registration of an authentic Michigan registration plate.
-- Specify that a historic vehicle registration would be valid without renewal as long as the vehicle existed. Currently, a historic vehicle registration expires on April 15 of the fifth year after the date the registration has been issued.
-- Permit the use of an authentic Michigan registration plate of the same year as the vehicle model (without a registration tab) instead of a historic vehicle registration plate, and specify that an authentically restored plate would be considered a registration plate.
Under the Code, the Secretary of State may issue to the owner of a historic vehicle a historic vehicle registration plate that bears the inscription “historical vehicle - Michigan” and the registration number. In addition, if the vehicle owner possesses an authentic Michigan registration plate of the same year as the model year in which the vehicle had been manufactured, the Secretary of State may issue a registration tab that may be attached to the authentic plate. The owner may use an authentic plate to which a registration tab is attached instead of a historic vehicle registration plate. The owner of a historic vehicle may purchase an authentic plate from another person for use pursuant to these provisions. (The Act defines “historic vehicle” as a vehicle that is over 25 years old, and that is owned solely as a collector’s item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses, but it not used for general transportation.)
The bill would delete the provisions on registration tabs. The bill provides that the owner of a historic vehicle could use an authentic Michigan registration plate of the same year as the vehicle model year instead of a historic vehicle registration plate by presenting the authentic plate number and year to the Secretary of State at the time of registration. An authentically restored plate would be considered an authentic Michigan registration plate. The owner of a historic vehicle could purchase an authentic Michigan registration plate from another person.
MCL 257.803a Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
Currently there are 13,139 historic vehicles registered in Michigan. The average annual revenue generated from these registrations is $39,417. Assuming that the average ownership of historic vehicles is 10 years, the increase in the registration fee would generate an additional $6,500 annually to the Michigan Transportation Fund.
Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman
S9596\S927SA
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.