MILITARY SPECIAL FORCES

SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE

House Bill 5066

Sponsor:  Rep. Fulton Sheen

Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 4-19-04

A REVISED SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5066 AS INTRODUCED 9-24-03

House Bill 5066 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow for a specialty license plate for those who served in the military Special Forces.

The bill specifies that a person who was a member of the Special Forces Association—Michigan Chapter could make application to the secretary of state for a special forces special registration plate, which would be inscribed with identification numbers and have the words “special forces” inscribed beneath the registration number.  Application for the plate would be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and would be accompanied by proof of the applicant being a member of the Special Forces Association—Michigan Chapter.

Currently under the law, specialty license plates are available for ex-prisoners of war, veterans of World War I, Pearl Harbor survivors, and Purple Heart recipients.  Upon application and payment of a $5 fee (or renewal fee), the secretary of state issues one or more special registration plates, which expire on the birthday of the vehicles’ owners.  House Bill 5066 would retain these provisions, and extend them to members of the military Special Forces.

         MCL 257.803e

FISCAL IMPACT:

The department indicates that there would be costs associated with the development of a ‘special forces’ license plate.  However, the fiscal impact is not readily determinable.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   William Hamilton

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.