DISTRACTED DRIVING OFFENSES                                                            S.B. 670 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 670 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Margaret O'Brien

Committee:  Judiciary

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State (SOS) to enter six points on a person's driving record for a conviction of a distracted driving offense causing death or serious impairment of a body function.

The Code requires the SOS, within five days after receiving an abstract from a court of this or another state, to record the date of conviction, civil infraction determination, or probate court disposition, and the number of points for a driving offense. Under the bill, the SOS would have to record six points for a violation of Section 602b(7) or (8).

The bill is tie-barred to Senate Bill 581. (Senate Bill 581 would amend provisions of the Code that prohibit a person from using of a wireless two-way communication device (e.g., texting) while operating a vehicle. Under the bill, Section 602b(7) and (8) would prescribe a felony penalty for a violation that caused the death of another individual, and a misdemeanor penalty for a violation that caused serious impairment of a body function to another individual, respectively. The misdemeanor penalty would be imprisonment for up to one year or a maximum fine of $500, or both. The felony penalty would be imprisonment for up to five years or a maximum fine of $2,000, or both.)

MCL 257.320a                                                                  Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill could have a negligible fiscal impact on the Department of State; however, the cost is indeterminate and dependent on the number of additional court abstracts for which the Department would have to record the date of conviction, civil infraction determination, probate disposition, and the number of points for each. The Department believes that any additional costs could be absorbed within its annual appropriations.

Date Completed:  12-13-17                                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

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.