"HONORARY CONSUL" LICENSE PLATES - H.B. 4458 (H-2): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 4458 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative John Pappageorge
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation and Tourism
Date Completed: 3-21-00
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to permit a person who was designated an honorary consul by a diplomatic corps of a nation other than the United States that was recognized by the U.S. government and who was assigned or stationed in Michigan, to apply to the Secretary of State for a special registration plate. The special registration plate would have to have the words "honorary consul" inscribed on it.
Application for the special registration plate would have to be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State, and be accompanied by proof that the applicant was designated as an honorary consul. The application also would have to be accompanied by payment of a $30 consulate identification fee for one special registration plate or a $35 consulate identification fee for two special registration plates. The fee would have to be deposited in the State Treasury and credited to the Michigan Transportation Fund. The fee would have to be used first to defray the expenses of the Secretary of State in issuing these plates.
Upon proper application and payment of the appropriate consulate identification fee, the Secretary of State would have to issue one or more special registration plates for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. A person issued one or more special registration plates would have to be assessed the applicable tax under the Code's provisions on vehicle registration fees. The special registration plate issued under the bill would expire on the vehicle owner's birthday.
The use of a special registration plate on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate was issued, or by a person who did not qualify under the bill, would be a misdemeanor.
The bill specifies that the issuance of a special registration plate to an applicant would not confer diplomatic status or diplomatic immunity on the applicant.
The bill would take effect October 1, 2000.
Proposed MCL 257.803q - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of this bill is indeterminate. The generated revenue under this bill would depend on the number of plates that were purchased.
- Fiscal Analyst: E. LimbsS9900\s4458sa
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.