S.B. 273 (S-1): FIRST ANALYSIS - SNOWMOBILE REGISTRATION NUMBERS

Senate Bill 273 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)

Sponsor: Senator Harry Gast

Date Completed: 9-26-97

RATIONALE

Part 821 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA) provides for the regulation and registration of snowmobiles. Under Section 82113, someone who has registered his or her snowmobile is required to attach a registration decal to each side of the front half of the vehicle. This decal is issued by the Secretary of State and indicates that the snowmobile has been registered; it does not contain the actual registration number assigned to the vehicle. Although snowmobiles previously had been required to display their registration number, this requirement was deleted in 1994. As a result, it apparently can be quite difficult to identify a snowmobile that is operated improperly. In order to address this situation, Public Act 92 of 1997 amended Section 82113 to restore the requirement that snowmobiles display their registration number. Subsequently, however, Public Act 102 of 1997 amended other language in the same section but omitted the changes made by the earlier public act. (Public Act 102 was part of a package of legislation concerning the disclosure of personal information on vehicle records.) Since Public Act 102 was signed into law after Public Act 92 was enacted, Public Act 102 had the effect of eliminating the requirement that snowmobiles show their registration number.

CONTENT

The bill would amend Part 821 of the NREPA to require a snowmobile owner to paint on or attach the registration number to each side of the forward half of the snowmobile immediately in front of the footwell, in characters of good proportion, at least three inches high, reading from left to right. The numbers would have to contrast so as to be distinctly visible and legible. The owner would have to affix the current registration decal to the right of the registration number. A number other than the number awarded to the snowmobile on the registration certificate, or granted reciprocity

under Part 821, could not be attached or otherwise displayed on the snowmobile.

MCL 324.82113

ARGUMENTS

(Please note: The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency. The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)

Supporting Argument

By requiring the conspicuous display of snowmobile registration numbers, the bill essentially would reenact the amendments that had been made by Public Act 92 of 1997. Snowmobile owners would continue to receive a registration decal from the Secretary of State, but also would have to paint the registration number on their vehicle or obtain numbers to attach to it. This would make it easier for law enforcement officers to identify snowmobiles that are operated improperly. Property owners also would be in a better position to make complaints about snowmobiles that are driven illegally across their land. Improved identification should lead to increased enforcement and greater accountability, and could deter some snowmobilers from violating the law.

- Legislative Analyst: S. Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

- Fiscal Analyst: E. Limbs

A9798\S273A

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.