MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATION H.B. 5008 (H-3): REVISED FIRST ANALYSIS
House Bill 5008 (Substitute H-3 as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Bill Huizenga
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Transportation
Date Completed: 6-11-04
RATIONALE
Unlike a car registration, which expires on the owner's birthday every year, a motorcycle registration expires on March 31. It has been suggested, for the convenience of both motorcycle owners and the Secretary of State (SOS), that the expiration date for a motorcycle registration be changed to the owner's birthday.
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to provide that a vehicle registration that was issued by the SOS for a motorcycle would expire on the owner's birthday, rather than on March 31, beginning February 1, 2005.
The bill also would delete a provision requiring a tax of one-half the rate otherwise imposed by the Code to be collected for all motorcycles registered after September 30 for the period ending on March 31.
MCL 257.226 & 257.802
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
A March 31 expiration date for all motorcycle registrations presents problems for motorcycle owners and the SOS. A single expiration date can generate long lines at SOS branch offices, whereas a birthday expiration would require motorcycle owners to go to the SOS on different days. A birthday expiration also would eliminate confusion for motorcyclists, most of whom also own cars, and would make it convenient for them to renew both of their vehicles at once, helping them to avoid the $10 fee assessed for renewing a registration after the expiration date.
Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no impact on revenue and would result in administrative savings to the Department of State.
Fiscal Analyst: Bill BowermanAnalysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. hb5008/0304