FREE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD

House Bill 6007

Sponsor:  Rep. Chris Ward

Committee:  House Oversight, Elections, and Ethics

Complete to 5-2-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6007 AS INTRODUCED 4-26-06

House Bill 6007 would amend Public Act 222 of 1972, which concerns official personal identification cards, to require the secretary of state to provide free photo identification cards to those who cannot afford the fee.

Currently under the law, an applicant for a state identification card pays $10 to the secretary of state for each original and renewal ID card issued.  The card expires on the birthday of the person to whom it was issued, in the fourth year following the date of issuance.  Under the law, the secretary of state is required to waive the fee, if the applicant is any of the following:

** A person 65 years of age or older.

** A person has had an operator's or chauffeur's license suspended, revoked, or denied under the Michigan Vehicle Code because of a mental or physical infirmity or disability;

** A person presents evidence of statutory blindness.

** A person presents other good cause for a fee waiver.

** Beginning January 1, 2007, a person wishes to add or remove a heart insignia from the card. [Currently, subsection (1)(f) of the law allows those who hold ID cards to participate in the organ and tissue donor registry under the Public Health Code, by attaching a heart insignia to the front of their card.]

House Bill 6007 would retain all of these provisions and add:  a person who presents evidence that he or she is unable to pay the fee required.

MCL 28.292

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ 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.