MI VETERANS FUND-RAISING PLATE                                                      H.B. 4788 (S-3):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4788 (Substitute S-3 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Sponsor:  Representative Jim Stamas

House Committee:  Military and Veterans Affairs

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:

-- Provide that, by September 1, 2015, the Secretary of State would have to develop, and could issue, a fund-raising plate or collector plate recognizing Michigan veterans.

-- Create the "Michigan Veterans Engagement Fund" in the State Treasury, and require fund-raising donations collected for the plates to be deposited in the Fund.

-- Require the State Treasurer to disburse money in the Fund, on a monthly basis, to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

-- Require the Agency to spend the money for outreach activities with county veterans service offices, organizations providing local veteran services, or other veteran service providers.

-- Require the Agency to dedicate at least 25% of the money for tuition support for members of the Michigan National Guard or the Children of Veterans Tuition Grant Program, at the discretion of the Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard.

-- Permit the Agency to spend up to 15% of the money received each month on administrative expenses.

(The Code requires purchasers of a fund-raising plate to pay a $25 donation and a $10 service fee above the cost of a standard plate. The renewal of a fund-raising plate requires a $10 donation in addition to the standard registration fee. Purchasers of a collector plate must pay a $25 donation and a $10 service fee.)

Proposed MCL 257.811bb                                             Legislative Analyst:  Suzanne Lowe

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would create a start-up cost to the Department of State; however, the start-up fee of $15,000 prescribed in the Code would be paid to the Department from the proposed Michigan Veterans Engagement Fund. The revenue generated from the fund-raising license plate would be deposited into the Fund, after which the State Treasurer would disburse payments from the Fund on a monthly basis to the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. The Agency would have to spend the money as described above, and could retain up to 15% for administrative expenses.

The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.

Date Completed:  12-10-14                                                  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.