SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATES
House Bill 4458
Sponsor: Rep. John Pappageorge
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 4-14-99
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4458 AS INTRODUCED 4-13-99
House Bill 4458 would add a new section to the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow people who are designated as honorary consuls by the diplomatic corps of a nation recognized by the U.S. government to apply for special registration plates for their passenger vehicles. The plate would be inscribed beneath the registration numbers with the words "honorary consul."
The bill would require that application for the special plate be made on a form specified by the secretary of state, as well as be accompanied by acceptable proof of foreign consulate employment, payment of a $30 consulate identification fee for one special plate (or a $35 fee for two or more plates), and also by a $5 service fee which would be in addition to the regular registration tax. The special registration plate would be renewable annually on the applicant's birthday for a $5 service fee, and payment of the $30 (or $35, if two or more plates) consulate identification fee.
The bill specifies that using the plate on a vehicle for which it was not issued, or by a person who did not qualify, would be a misdemeanor, and also that issuance of a special registration plate would not confer diplomatic status or diplomatic immunity upon the applicant.
MCL 257.803q
Analyst: J. Hunault