BLUE STAR FAMILY LICENSE PLATE S.B. 821:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 821 (as introduced 2-13-18)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to permit a member of a Blue Star Family to apply to the Secretary of State for a "Blue Star Family" special registration plate.
The plate would have to be inscribed with special identification numbers preceded by the Blue Star Families insignia and would have to have the words "Blue Star Family" inscribed beneath the registration number.
The Code provides for a number of special license plates honoring military service members, veterans of declared wars or conflicts, veterans who were wounded or killed while serving in the United States Armed Forces, Purple Heart recipients, and former prisoners of war, among others. Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and must be accompanied by a $5 service fee and any proof that the applicant was a prisoner of war, World War I veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, or recipient of the Purple Heart that the Secretary of State may require. A person issued a special registration plate must be assessed the applicable registration tax.
The Code also allows a member of a "Gold Star Family" to apply for a special Gold Star Family registration plate (which is available to a person who has had an immediate family member die while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces if the immediate family member meets the eligibility criteria specified in Federal regulations for a gold star lapel button).
Application for a "Gold Star Family" special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State and be accompanied by any proof of the applicant having been a Gold Star Family member that the Secretary of State may require. The applicant must pay the $5 service fee and the applicable registration tax. The bill would extend these provisions to a Blue Star Family special registration plate.
"Blue Star Family member" would mean a person who is currently serving, or a person who has an immediate family member serving, in the United States Armed Forces or in forces incorporated as part of the United States Armed Forces.
The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.
MCL 257.803e Legislative Analyst: Drew Krogulecki
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a negligible fiscal impact on the Department of State due to programming costs associated with the provisions of the bill; however, these costs should be minimal and absorbable within current annual appropriations.
Blue Star Family members who would qualify under the bill for the Blue Star Family designation would still be required to pay the required annual registration fee along with the required $5 service fee to cover the cost of the Blue Star Family designation. However, as mentioned above, the Department would have some computer programming costs to allow a designation to be granted to a larger pool of veteran families.
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.