HANDHELD RADIO RECEIVERS IN VEHICLES

House Bill 6012

Sponsor: Rep. Mike Kowall

Complete to 10-9-00

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 6012 AS INTRODUCED 9-27-00

House Bill 6012 would amend the Michigan Penal Code to modify the section of the law that prohibits radio receivers in motor vehicles.

Currently under the law, a person cannot equip a vehicle with a radio receiver, if it receives radio frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission for police purposes. However, there are some exceptions. The prohibition does not apply to a vehicle owned or used by an individual who has obtained a valid permit from the director of the Department of State Police, and who is: a) a law enforcement officer certified under the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards Act; or, b) an amateur radio operator licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in the technician class, the general class, the advanced operator class, or the amateur extra operator class. The bill would retain these classifications and add the 'technician plus' class. Further, the bill would prohibit a person from possessing in a vehicle a portable radio receiver that receives radio frequencies assigned for police purposes, except under the exceptions listed.

MCL 750.508

Analyst: J. Hunault

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.