ORGAN & TISSUE DONATION ED. FUND S.B. 817: COMMITTEE SUMMARY






Senate Bill 817 (as introduced 10-30-03)
Sponsor: Senator Laura M. Toy
Committee: Health Policy


Date Completed: 5-24-04

CONTENT The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to create the "Organ and Tissue Donation Education Fund"; and require the Secretary of State to provide an opportunity to make a donation to the Fund in conjunction with the issuance of a driver license.

The bill would create the Fund within the State Treasury. The State Treasurer could receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the Fund, and would have to direct the Fund's investment. The Treasurer would have to credit to the Fund interest and earnings from Fund investments. Money in the Fund at the close of the fiscal year would remain in the Fund, rather than lapse to the General Fund. The Secretary of State would have to spend Fund money only on programs and initiatives to encourage Michigan residents to place their names on the organ donor registry (described below).


The bill also would require the Secretary of State to provide an applicant with the opportunity to make a donation of at least $1 to the Fund, upon the issuance of an operator's or chauffeur's license. A donation collected under this provision would have to be deposited in the State Treasury to the credit of the Fund.


MCL 257.307 et al.

BACKGROUND

According to the Secretary of State's website, the Michigan Organ & Tissue Donor Registry is a confidential, electronic database that documents individuals' wishes regarding organ donation. It is available to authorized procurement-group personnel and hospital staff 24 hours per day, seven days per week. An individual may enroll either online, or by fax or mail, by providing his or her name, address, and driver license number. The registry is maintained by Gift of Life of Michigan.


Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval

FISCAL IMPACT
Approximately 2 million individuals renew driver licenses each year. The extent to which individuals would donate to the Organ and Tissue Donation Education Fund is not determinable. The Department of State would incur programming and ongoing administrative costs that are not funded by the bill.

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. sb817/0304