SPECIAL REG. PLATE; WOMEN VETERANS S.B. 788:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 788 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Sylvia Santana
Committee: Veterans and Emergency Services
CONTENT
The bill would add Section 803t to the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow a woman veteran to apply to the Secretary of State for a "woman veteran" special registration plate. The bill also would prescribe a misdemeanor penalty for the wrongful use of the special registration plate.
BRIEF RATIONALE
The sacrifices and service of woman veterans are often overlooked when compared to their counterparts who are men. According to testimony, there are about 46,000 women veterans in Michigan who deserve recognition for their service within the United States Armed Forces. Some people believe a "woman veteran" special registration plate would increase recognition for women veterans.
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill could create some costs for the Department of State to produce a new vehicle registration plate with a vignette for "Woman Veteran"; however, the costs should be absorbable within annual appropriations. There would be no service fee applied to this plate and the vehicle registration tax revenues would remain the same and be deposited into the Michigan Transportation Fund.
Additionally, the bill could have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact and an indeterminate positive fiscal impact on State and local government. New misdemeanor arrests and convictions under the bill could increase resource demands on law enforcement, court systems, community supervision, and jails; however, it is unknown how many people would be prosecuted under provisions of the bill. Local jail costs vary by jurisdiction and thus costs for local governments would vary. Local revenue to local libraries could increase under the bill as any additional revenue from imposed fines would go to local libraries.
Date Completed: 5-23-24 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco, Jr.
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.