September 29, 2004, Introduced by Rep. Kooiman and referred to the Committee on Transportation.
A bill to authorize the imposition of taxes and fees for the
purpose of road improvements or operations; to provide for
certain powers and duties of political subdivisions; to provide
for general or special elections; and to earmark certain revenues
for road improvements, operations, or public transportation
purposes.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
2 "local road improvements and operations revenue act".
3 Sec. 2. As used in this act:
4 (a) "County road agency" means the board of county road
5 commissioners or, if a board does not exist in a county, the
6 agency or other person designated by county charter.
7 (b) "Road improvements and operations" means on-site or
8 off-site improvements, operations, maintenance, or preservation
1 of roads, streets, highways, or public transportation related to
2 traffic safety needs or increased traffic volume resulting from a
3 development, including, but not limited to, 1 or more of the
4 following:
5 (i) Construction, repair, or widening of roads, streets, or
6 bridges.
7 (ii) Construction of acceleration, deceleration, or turning
8 lanes.
9 (iii) Construction, extension, or maintenance of drainage
10 facilities.
11 (iv) Installation or maintenance of lighting.
12 (v) Installation or maintenance of traffic signs or signals.
13 (vi) Snow removal, salting, or sanding.
14 (vii) Control of weed growth.
15 (viii) Street cleaning.
16 Sec. 3. In addition to the fee imposed for registration
17 under the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.1 to
18 257.923, a county may impose a registration fee of up to $25.00
19 on a motor vehicle registered to an owner residing in the county,
20 the revenue from which is specifically earmarked for road
21 improvements and operations or comprehensive transportation
22 purposes as defined by law. The fee shall be collected at the
23 same time and in the same manner as the fee collected under
24 section 801 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300,
25 MCL 257.801.
26 (2) The fees authorized under subsection (1) shall not be
27 imposed except upon the approval of a majority of the registered
1 electors residing in the county proposing to assess and collect
2 the fees who are qualified to vote and who vote on the fees at a
3 general or special election. The election may be called by
4 resolution of the governing body of that county. The recording
5 officer of the county shall file a copy of the resolution calling
6 the election with the clerk of each affected city, village, or
7 township not less than 60 days before the date of the election.
8 The resolution calling the election shall contain a statement of
9 the proposition to be submitted to the electors. The election
10 shall be conducted and canvassed in accordance with the Michigan
11 election law, 1954 PA 116, MCL 168.1 to 168.992. The results of
12 the election shall be certified to the governing body of the
13 county and the secretary of state promptly after the date of the
14 election. Not more than 1 election shall be held in a county in
15 a calendar year for approval of the fee under subsection (1). If
16 approved, the fee shall apply to all vehicle registrations that
17 expire no less than 180 days after the certification of the
18 election results and all vehicle registrations that are issued
19 not less than 135 days after certification of the election or an
20 earlier date determined by the secretary of state and uniformly
21 applicable in the affected county.
22 (3) The secretary of state, after deducting the costs of
23 collection of the fee, shall return the revenue from the fee to
24 the county treasurer of the county that has levied the fee. The
25 county treasurer shall return the revenue from the fee to the
26 designated county road agencies and the city and village
27 recipients within the affected county in a percentage amount that
1 is equal to the percentage amount received by the county road
2 agency and the cities and villages within that county from the
3 Michigan transportation fund revenue received by each entity
4 under sections 12 and 13 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.662 and 247.663.
5 (4) No less than 90% of the revenue from the fee collected
6 under subsection (1) after payment of necessary collection
7 expenses shall be used exclusively for road improvements and
8 operations. The balance of the fee collected, if any, shall be
9 used for comprehensive transportation purposes as defined in
10 section 10c of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.660c.
11 Sec. 4. A registration fee imposed by a county and approved
12 by the electors of the county shall be valid for the time
13 specified on the ballot or until it is removed by the electors.