SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICES S.B. 210: COMMITTEE SUMMARY






Senate Bill 210 (as introduced 2-17-05)
Sponsor: Senator Cameron S. Brown
Committee: Transportation


Date Completed: 5-17-05

CONTENT The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to revise the population requirements for the locations of Secretary of State offices.


The Code requires the Secretary of State to maintain an office in the State Capitol Complex and in other places as he or she considers necessary to carry out the powers and duties vested in the Secretary of State. At least one office must be established in each county, as well as in each city with a population of 10,000 or more, but not within five miles of a county office location. Under the bill, notwithstanding this provision, if the population of the city combined with the population within a 10-mile radius of the city were at least 10,000, the Secretary of State would have to maintain an office within that city.


MCL 257.205 Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval

FISCAL IMPACT
According to the Department of State, the bill would prevent the closure of six branch offices1) and require the establishment of 34 new branch offices. The additional cost would depend on the number of employees and hours of operation. The Department of State estimates costs between $10.0 million and $15.0 million.


Public Act 51 of 1951 limits Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) support to the Department of State at $20.0 million annually. The Department of State currently uses the maximum MTF allocation. The Transportation Administration Collection Fund has not generated sufficient revenue to meet annual appropriations. Therefore, additional branch office costs resulting from the bill would have an impact on the State's General Fund.

_______________ 1)The Department's Branch Office Optimization Plan included the net reductions of 20 Secretary of State branch offices.

Fiscal Analyst: Bill Bowerman

Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb210/0506