FINGERPRINTS AS LEGAL SIGNATURE

House Bill 5081 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Leon Drolet

Committee:  Government Operations

Complete to 9-7-05

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5081 AS DISCHARGED FROM COMMITTEE 9-6-05

Chapter 1 of the Revised Statutes of 1846, entitled "Of the Statutes" pertains, in part, to the construction of state statutes, including how certain words and phrases are to be understood.  The chapter provides that, as a matter of law, the words "written" and "in writing" may including printing, engraving, and lithographing, except in cases where an individual's written signature is required by law, in which case the signature shall be his or her proper handwriting or, if the person is unable to write, his or her "proper mark."  House Bill 5081 would permit an individual who is unable to write to use his or her fingerprints as a written signature. (That is, visible fingerprints would be included as a "proper mark.")

MCL 8.3q

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill does not appear to have any fiscal impact on the state or on local governments.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

The bill is identical to House Bill 4258 of the current legislative session.  That bill, introduced by Representative Fred Miller on February 10, 2005, was reported from the House Committee on Government Operations on February 15, 2005.  The bill was later re-referred to the committee on May 18, 2005, and then discharged from committee along with HB 5081 on September 6, 2005. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Mark Wolf

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jan Wisniewski

■ 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.