STATE VEHICLE PLATES OR MARKINGS S.B. 204:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 204 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Tonya Schuitmaker
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Management and Budget Act to prescribe a misdemeanor penalty for a State employee who removed or concealed registration plates or other external markings identifying State ownership of a vehicle.
Section 213 of the Act allows the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) to issue directives relative to State motor vehicles, except those under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Transportation. The DTMB may issue a directive relative to displaying distinctive vehicle registration plates and other external markings on the motor vehicles. The plates and markings must clearly identify State ownership unless the motor vehicle is used by an elected official or for an investigative use, or anonymity is essential to the proper performance of a necessary function of State government.
Section 215 specifics restrictions that apply to a motor vehicle and the person to whom a motor vehicle is assigned. This section applies to a vehicle that is owned by the Department of Transportation or the Department of Natural Resources. Under Section 215, an unclassified employee who is a State department or agency director may be assigned a motor vehicle and may use it between his or her residence and official work station. A State employee who is not a department or agency director may be assigned a motor vehicle and may use it between his or her residence and official work station only under certain circumstances.
Under the bill, a State employee who removed or concealed distinctive registration plates or other external markings that clearly identified State ownership of a motor vehicle assigned to that employee under Section 215, or in violation of a directive under Section 213, would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days' imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of $1,000. The penalty would not apply to a State employee whose assigned motor vehicle was not marked because it was for investigative use or because anonymity was essential to the proper performance of a necessary function of State government. The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.
MCL 18.1213 & 18.1215 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill could result in an increase in the number of misdemeanor convictions, which could increase the requirements on local court systems and jails. Any associated increase in fine revenue would be provided to public libraries.
Date Completed: 4-22-15 Fiscal Analyst: John Maxwell
This 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.