pa026799

Act No. 267

Public Acts of 1999

Approved by the Governor

December 28, 1999

Filed with the Secretary of State

December 29, 1999

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 29, 1999

STATE OF MICHIGAN

90TH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 1999

Introduced by Senator Goschka

ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 856

AN ACT to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled "An act to provide for the registration, titling, sale, transfer, and regulation of certain vehicles operated upon the public highways of this state or any other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles and distressed vehicles; to provide for the licensing of dealers; to provide for the examination, licensing, and control of operators and chauffeurs; to provide for the giving of proof of financial responsibility and security by owners and operators of vehicles; to provide for the imposition, levy, and collection of specific taxes on vehicles, and the levy and collection of sales and use taxes, license fees, and permit fees; to provide for the regulation and use of streets and highways; to create certain funds; to provide penalties and sanctions for a violation of this act; to provide for civil liability of owners and operators of vehicles and service of process on residents and nonresidents; to provide for the levy of certain assessments; to provide for the enforcement of this act; to provide for the creation of and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to repeal all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act or contrary to this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on a specific date," by amending sections 219, 222, 233, 240, 319, 605, and 904d (MCL 257.219, 257.222, 257.233, 257.240, 257.319, 257.605, and 257.904d), sections 219, 233, and 605 as amended by 1999 PA 73, section 222 as amended by 1993 PA 300, section 319 as amended by 1999 PA 118, and section 904d as amended by 1999 PA 51.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 219. (1) The secretary of state shall refuse issuance of a registration or a transfer of registration upon any of the following grounds:

(a) The application contains a false or fraudulent statement, the applicant has failed to furnish required information or reasonable additional information requested by the secretary of state, or the applicant is not entitled to the registration of the vehicle under this act.

(b) The secretary of state has reasonable ground to believe that the vehicle is a stolen or embezzled vehicle, or that the granting of registration would constitute a fraud against the rightful owner or other person having a valid lien upon the vehicle.

(c) The registration of the vehicle is suspended or revoked for any reason provided in the motor vehicle laws of this state.

(d) The operator's or chauffeur's license of the owner or co-owner or lessee or co-lessee is suspended, revoked, or denied or the operator has never been licensed by this state at the time of the application for a third or subsequent violation of section 625 or 625m or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 625 or 625m or a fourth or subsequent suspension or revocation under section 904. This subdivision takes effect June 1, 2000.

(e) The required fee has not been paid.

(f) The applicant, at the time of applying for registration or a transfer of registration other than a temporary registration issued pursuant to section 226b, fails to present a certificate of compliance or waiver for a motor vehicle as required under either part 63 or part 65 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.6301 to 324.6321 and 324.6501 to 324.6539.

(g) The application for registration of a vehicle with an elected gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more is not accompanied with proof of payment of the federal highway use tax levied pursuant to the surface transportation assistance act of 1982, Public Law 97-424, 96 Stat. 2097.

(2) The secretary of state shall refuse issuance of a certificate of title or a salvage certificate of title upon any of the following grounds:

(b) The secretary of state has reasonable ground to believe that the vehicle is a stolen or embezzled vehicle or that the issuance of a certificate of title or a salvage certificate of title would constitute a fraud against the rightful owner or other person having a valid security interest upon the vehicle.

(3) The secretary of state shall not issue a registration for a vehicle for which a temporary registration plate was issued under section 904c until the violation resulting in the issuance of the plate is adjudicated or the vehicle is transferred to a person who is subject to payment of a use tax under section 3 of the use tax act, 1937 PA 94, MCL 205.93.

Sec. 222. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this act, the secretary of state shall issue a registration certificate and a certificate of title when registering a vehicle and upon receipt of the required fees. A vehicle brought into this state from another state or jurisdiction that has a rebuilt, salvage, or scrap certificate of title issued by that other state or jurisdiction shall be issued a rebuilt, salvage, or scrap certificate of title by the secretary of state.

(2) The registration certificate shall be delivered to the owner and shall contain on its face the date issued, the name and address of the owner, the registration number assigned to the vehicle, and a description of the vehicle as determined by the secretary of state.

(3) The certificate of title shall be manufactured in a manner to prohibit as nearly as possible the ability to reproduce, alter, counterfeit, forge, or duplicate the certificate of title without ready detection and contain on its face the identical information required on the face of the registration certificate; if the vehicle is a motor vehicle, the number of miles, not including the tenths of a mile, registered on the vehicle's odometer at the time of transfer; except for a vehicle owned by a dealer and loaned to a political subdivision of this state for use as a driver education vehicle, if the vehicle is to be used or has been used as a taxi, as a police vehicle, or by a political subdivision of this state; whether the vehicle is a salvage vehicle; if the vehicle has previously been issued a rebuilt certificate of title from this state or a comparable certificate of title from any other state or jurisdiction; if the vehicle has been issued a scrap certificate of title from this state or a comparable certificate of title from any other state or jurisdiction; if the owner or co-owner or lessee or co-lessee of the vehicle is subject to registration denial under section 219(1)(d); a statement of the owner's title and of all security interests in the vehicle or in an accessory on the vehicle as set forth in the application; the date that the application was filed; and any other information that the secretary of state may require.

(4) The certificate of title shall contain a form for assignment of title or interest and warranty of title by the owner with space for the notation of a security interest in the vehicle and in an accessory on the vehicle, which at the time of a transfer shall be certified and signed, and space for a written odometer mileage statement that is required upon transfer pursuant to section 233a. The certificate of title may also contain other forms that the secretary of state considers necessary to facilitate the effective administration of this act. The certificate shall bear the coat of arms of this state.

(5) The certificate of title shall be mailed or delivered to the owner or other person the owner may direct in a separate instrument, in a form the secretary of state shall prescribe.

(6) A person who intentionally reproduces, alters, counterfeits, forges, or duplicates a certificate of title or who uses a reproduced, altered, counterfeited, forged, or duplicated certificate of title shall be punished as follows:

(a) If the intent of reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use was to commit or aid in the commission of an offense punishable by imprisonment for 1 or more years, the person committing the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for a period equal to that which could be imposed for the commission of the offense the person had the intent to aid or commit. The court may also assess a fine of not more than $10,000.00 against the person.

(b) If the intent of the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use was to commit or aid in the commission of an offense punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, the person committing the reproduction, alteration, counterfeiting, forging, duplication, or use is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.

(7) The certificate of title for a police vehicle, a vehicle owned by a political subdivision of this state, a salvage vehicle, a rebuilt vehicle, and a scrap vehicle shall be different in color from the certificate of title for all other vehicles.

(8) A scrap certificate of title shall contain a legend that the vehicle is not to be titled or registered and is to be used for parts or scrap metal only.

(9) A certificate of title shall not be issued for a vehicle which has had a salvage certificate of title unless the certificate of title contains a legend that discloses the vehicle's former condition to consumers and potential purchasers.

Sec. 233. (1) If the owner of a registered vehicle transfers or assigns the title or interest in the vehicle, the registration plates issued for the vehicle shall be removed and transferred to the owner's spouse, mother, father, sister, brother, or child to whom title or interest in the vehicle is transferred, or retained and preserved by the owner for transfer to another vehicle upon application and payment of the required fees. A person shall not transfer the plates to a vehicle without applying for a proper certificate of registration describing the vehicle to which the plates are being transferred except as provided in section 217(4). If the owner of a registered vehicle acquires another vehicle without transferring or assigning the title or interest in the vehicle for which the plates were issued, the owner may have the plates transferred to the subsequently acquired vehicle upon application and payment of the required fees.

(2) A person shall not purchase or lease another vehicle or an interest in another vehicle with the intent to circumvent the restrictions created by immobilization of a vehicle under this act.

(3) A person shall not transfer or attempt to transfer ownership or right of possession of a vehicle subject to forfeiture or ordered forfeited under this act with the intent to avoid the forfeiture of that vehicle.

(4) During the time a vehicle is subject to a temporary registration plate, vehicle forfeiture, immobilization, registration denial, or the period from adjudication to immobilization or forfeiture under this act, a person shall not without a court order transfer or assign the title or an interest in the vehicle to a person who is not subject to payment of a use tax under section 3 of the use tax act, 1937 PA 94, MCL 205.93.

(5) A person who violates subsection (2), (3), or (4) is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both.

(6) A person whose operator's or chauffeur's license is suspended, revoked, or denied for, or who has never been licensed by this state and was convicted for, a third or subsequent violation of section 625 or 625m or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 625 or 625m or a fourth or subsequent suspension or revocation under section 904 shall not purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire a motor vehicle during the suspension, revocation, or denial period. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $100.00, or both. This subsection takes effect June 1, 2000.

(7) If the assigned holder of registration plates applies for a new registration certificate, the application shall be accompanied either by the old registration certificate or by a certificate of title showing the person to be the assigned holder of the registration plates for which the old registration certificate had been issued. A person who fails or neglects to fulfill the requirements of this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $100.00, or both.

(8) The owner shall indorse on the back of the certificate of title an assignment of the title with warranty of title in the form printed on the certificate with a statement of all security interests in the vehicle or in accessories on the vehicle and deliver or cause the certificate to be mailed or delivered to the purchaser or transferee at the time of the delivery to the purchaser or transferee of the vehicle. The certificate shall show the payment or satisfaction of any security interest as shown on the original title.

(9) Upon the delivery of a motor vehicle and the transfer, sale, or assignment of the title or interest in a motor vehicle by a person, including a dealer, the effective date of the transfer of title or interest in the vehicle shall be the date of execution of either the application for title or the assignment of the certificate of title.

Sec. 240. The owner of a motor vehicle who has made a bona fide sale by transfer of his or her title or interest and who has delivered possession of the vehicle and the certificate of title thereto properly endorsed to the purchaser or transferee shall not be liable for any damages or a violation of law thereafter resulting from the use or ownership of the vehicle by another.

Sec. 319. (1) The secretary of state shall immediately suspend a person's license as provided in this section upon receiving a record of the person's conviction for a crime described in this section, whether the conviction is under a law of this state, a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a law of this state, or a law of another state substantially corresponding to a law of this state.

(2) The secretary of state shall suspend the person's license for 1 year for any of the following crimes:

(a) Fraudulently altering or forging documents pertaining to motor vehicles in violation of section 257.

(b) A violation of section 413 of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.413.

(d) Failing to stop and disclose identity at the scene of an accident resulting in death or serious injury in violation of section 617.

(e) A felony in which a motor vehicle was used. As used in this section, "felony in which a motor vehicle was used" means a felony during the commission of which the person convicted operated a motor vehicle and while operating the vehicle presented real or potential harm to persons or property and 1 or more of the following circumstances existed:

(i) The vehicle was used as an instrument of the felony.

(ii) The vehicle was used to transport a victim of the felony.

(iii) The vehicle was used to flee the scene of the felony.

(iv) The vehicle was necessary for the commission of the felony.

(f) A violation of section 602a(2) or (3) of this act or section 479a(2) or (3) of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.479a.

(3) The secretary of state shall suspend the person's license for 90 days for any of the following crimes:

(a) Failing to stop and disclose identity at the scene of an accident resulting in injury in violation of section 617a.

(b) Reckless driving in violation of section 626.

(c) Malicious destruction resulting from the operation of a vehicle under section 382(1)(b), (c), or (d) of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.382.

(d) A violation described in section 367c of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.367c.

(e) A violation of section 703(2) of the Michigan liquor control code of 1998, 1998 PA 58, MCL 436.1703.

(4) The secretary of state shall suspend the person's license for 30 days for malicious destruction resulting from the operation of a vehicle under section 382(1)(a) of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.382.

(5) For perjury or making a false certification to the secretary of state under any law requiring the registration of a motor vehicle or regulating the operation of a vehicle on a highway, the secretary shall suspend the person's license as follows:

(a) If the person has no prior conviction for an offense described in this subsection within 7 years, for 90 days.

(b) If the person has 1 or more prior convictions for an offense described in this subsection within 7 years, for 1 year.

(6) For a violation of section 414 of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.414, the secretary of state shall suspend the person's license as follows:

(a) If the person has no prior conviction for that offense within 7 years, for 90 days.

(b) If the person has 1 or more prior convictions for that offense within 7 years, for 1 year.

(7) For a violation of section 624a or 624b of this act or section 703(1) of the Michigan liquor control code of 1998, 1998 PA 58, MCL 436.1703, the secretary of state shall suspend the person's license as follows:

(a) If the person has 1 prior conviction for an offense described in this subsection or section 33b(1) of former 1933 (Ex Sess) PA 8, for 90 days. The secretary of state may issue the person a restricted license after the first 30 days of suspension.

(b) If the person has 2 or more prior convictions for an offense described in this subsection or section 33b(1) of former 1933 (Ex Sess) PA 8, for 1 year. The secretary of state may issue the person a restricted license after the first 60 days of suspension.

(8) The secretary of state shall suspend the person's license for a violation of section 625 or 625m as follows:

(a) For 180 days for a violation of section 625(1) if the person has no prior convictions within 7 years. The secretary of state may issue the person a restricted license during all or a specified portion of the suspension, except that the secretary of state shall not issue a restricted license during the first 30 days of suspension.

(b) For 90 days for a violation of section 625(3) if the person has no prior convictions within 7 years. However, if the person is convicted of a violation of section 625(3), for operating a vehicle when, due to the consumption of a controlled substance or a combination of intoxicating liquor and a controlled substance, the person's ability to operate the vehicle was visibly impaired, the secretary of state shall suspend the person's license under this subdivision for 180 days. The secretary of state may issue the person a restricted license during all or a specified portion of the suspension.

(c) For 30 days for a violation of section 625(6) if the person has no prior convictions within 7 years. The secretary of state may issue the person a restricted license during all or a specified portion of the suspension.

(d) For 90 days for a violation of section 625(6) if the person has 1 or more prior convictions for that offense within 7 years.

(e) For 180 days for a violation of section 625(7) if the person has no prior convictions within 7 years. The secretary of state may issue the person a restricted license after the first 90 days of suspension.

(f) For 90 days for a violation of section 625m if the person has no prior convictions within 7 years. The secretary of state may issue the person a restricted license during all or a specified portion of the suspension.

(9) For a violation of section 315(4), the secretary of state may suspend the person's license for 6 months and shall revoke the person's license for a second or subsequent conviction as required under section 315(5).

(10) Except as provided in subsection (12), a suspension under this section shall be imposed notwithstanding a court order.

(11) If the secretary of state receives records of more than 1 conviction of a person resulting from the same incident, a suspension shall be imposed only for the violation to which the longest period of suspension applies under this section.

(12) The secretary of state may waive a suspension of a person's license imposed under this act if the person submits proof that a court in another state revoked, suspended, or restricted his or her license for a period equal to or greater than the period of a suspension prescribed under this act for the violation and that the revocation, suspension, or restriction was served for the violation, or may grant a restricted license.

(13) The secretary of state shall not issue a restricted license to a person whose license is suspended under this section unless a restricted license is authorized under this section and the person is otherwise eligible for a license.

(14) The secretary of state shall not issue a restricted license to a person under subsection (8) that would permit the person to operate a commercial motor vehicle that hauls hazardous material.

(15) A restricted license issued under this section shall permit the person to whom it is issued to drive under 1 or more of the following circumstances:

(a) In the course of the person's employment or occupation.

(b) To and from any combination of the following:

(i) The person's residence.

(ii) The person's work location.

(iii) An alcohol or drug education or treatment program as ordered by the court.

(iv) The court probation department.

(v) A court-ordered community service program.

(vi) An educational institution at which the person is enrolled as a student.

(vii) A place of regularly occurring medical treatment for a serious condition for the person or a member of the person's household or immediate family.

(16) While driving with a restricted license, the person shall carry proof of his or her destination and the hours of any employment, class, or other reason for traveling and shall display that proof upon a peace officer's request.

(17) Subject to subsection (19), as used in subsection (8), "prior conviction" means a conviction for any of the following, whether under a law of this state, a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a law of this state, or a law of another state substantially corresponding to a law of this state:

(a) Except as provided in subsection (18), a violation or attempted violation of section 625(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7), section 625m, former section 625(1) or (2), or former section 625b.

(b) Negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder resulting from the operation of a vehicle or an attempt to commit any of those crimes.

(18) Except for purposes of the suspensions described in subsection (8)(c) and (d), only 1 violation or attempted violation of section 625(6), a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 625(6), or a law of another state substantially corresponding to section 625(6) may be used as a prior conviction.

(19) If 2 or more convictions described in subsection (17) are convictions for violations arising out of the same transaction, only 1 conviction shall be used to determine whether the person has a prior conviction.

Sec. 605. (1) This chapter and chapter VIII shall apply uniformly throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities in the state. A local authority shall not adopt, enact, or enforce a local law, charter provision, ordinance, rule, or regulation that provides lesser penalties or is otherwise in conflict with this chapter or chapter VIII.

(2) A local law, charter provision, ordinance, rule, or regulation or portion of a local law, chapter provision, ordinance, rule, or regulation imposing a criminal penalty for an act or omission that is a civil infraction under this act, or imposing a criminal penalty or civil sanction in excess of that prescribed in this act, is in conflict with this act and is void to the extent of the conflict.

Sec. 904d. (1) Vehicle immobilization applies as follows:

(a) For a conviction under section 625(1), (3), or (7) or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 625(1) or (3) with no prior convictions, the court may order vehicle immobilization for not more than 180 days.

(b) For a conviction under section 625(4) or (5) with no prior convictions, the court shall order vehicle immobilization for not more than 180 days.

(c) For a conviction under section 625(1), (3), (4), (5), or (7) within 7 years after a prior conviction, the court shall order vehicle immobilization for not less than 90 days or more than 180 days.

(d) For a conviction under section 625(1), (3), (4), (5), or (7) within 10 years after 2 or more prior convictions, the court shall order vehicle immobilization for not less than 1 year or more than 3 years.

(2) For a conviction or civil infraction determination resulting from a violation that occurred during a period of suspension, revocation, or denial, the following apply:

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), for 1 prior suspension, revocation, or denial under section 904(10), (11), or (12) or former section 904(2) or (4) within the past 7 years, the court may order vehicle immobilization for not more than 180 days.

(b) Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (d), if the person is convicted under section 904(4) or (5), the court shall order vehicle immobilization for not more than 180 days.

(c) For any combination of 2 or 3 prior suspensions, revocations, or denials under section 904(10), (11), or (12) or former section 904(2) or (4) within the past 7 years, the court shall order vehicle immobilization for not less than 90 days or more than 180 days.

(d) For any combination of 4 or more prior suspensions, revocations, or denials under section 904(10), (11), or (12) or former section 904(2) or (4) within the past 7 years, the court shall order vehicle immobilization for not less than 1 year or more than 3 years.

(3) The defendant shall provide to the court the vehicle identification number and registration plate number of the vehicle involved in the violation.

(4) The court may order vehicle immobilization under this section under either of the following circumstances:

(a) The defendant is the owner, co-owner, lessee, or co-lessee of the vehicle operated during the violation.

(b) The owner, co-owner, lessee, or co-lessee knowingly permitted the vehicle to be operated in violation of section 625(2) or section 904(2) regardless of whether a conviction resulted.

(5) An order required to be issued under this section shall not be suspended.

(6) If a defendant is ordered imprisoned for the violation for which immobilization is ordered, the period of immobilization shall begin at the end of the period of imprisonment.

(7) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(a) A suspension, revocation, or denial based on a violation of the support and parenting time enforcement act, 1982 PA 295, MCL 552.601 to 552.650.

(b) A vehicle that is registered in another state or that is a rental vehicle.

(d) A vehicle not subject to registration under section 216.

(e) Any of the following:

(i) A violation of chapter II.

(ii) A violation of chapter V.

(iii) A violation for failure to change address.

(iv) A parking violation.

(v) A bad check violation.

(vi) An equipment violation.

(vii) A pedestrian, passenger, or bicycle violation, other than a violation of section 703(1) or (2) of the Michigan liquor control code of 1998, 1998 PA 58, MCL 436.1703, or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 703(1) or (2) of the Michigan liquor control code of 1998, 1998 PA 58, MCL 436.1703, or section 624a or 624b or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 624a or 624b.

(viii) A violation of a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a violation described in subparagraphs (i) to (vii).

(8) As used in this section:

(a) Subject to subsection (9), "prior conviction" means a conviction for any of the following, whether under a law of this state, a local ordinance substantially corresponding to a law of this state, or a law of another state substantially corresponding to a law of this state:

(i) Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, a violation or attempted violation of section 625(1), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7), section 625m, former section 625(1) or (2), or former section 625b. However, only 1 violation or attempted violation of section 625(6), a local ordinance substantially corresponding to section 625(6), or a law of another state substantially corresponding to section 625(6) may be used as a prior conviction.

(ii) Negligent homicide, manslaughter, or murder resulting from the operation of a vehicle or an attempt to commit any of those crimes.

(b) "Vehicle immobilization" means requiring the motor vehicle involved in the violation immobilized in a manner provided in section 904e.

(9) If 2 or more convictions described in subsection (8)(a) are convictions for violations arising out of the same incident, only 1 conviction shall be used to determine whether the person has a prior conviction.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless all of the following bills of the 90th Legislature are enacted into law:

(a) Senate Bill No. 831.

(b) Senate Bill No. 832.

(d) Senate Bill No. 834.

(e) Senate Bill No. 855.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Secretary of the Senate.

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Approved

Governor.