DIGITIZED DRIVER’S LICENSES H.B. 4285 (H-4): FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 4285 (Substitute H-4 as reported with amendment)
Sponsor: Representative Jan Dolan
House Committee: Transportation
Senate Committee: Government Operations
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require a digitized “captured image” instead of a photograph to appear on an operator’s or chauffeur’s license. A license also could contain an identifier for voter registration purposes, as well as information in machine readable codes needed to conduct transactions with the Secretary of State. Until January 1, 2002, a $1 service fee would have to be added to each fee collected for an operator’s or chauffeur’s license. The bill would take effect January 1, 1997, and is tie-barred to House Bill 4541 (H-3), which would provide for the use of a captured image on State personal identification cards.
Specifically, House Bill 4285 (H-4) would delete current provisions regarding photographs on an operator’s or chauffeur’s license. The bill provides, instead, that an applicant for a license could have his or her image captured or reproduced at the time the license application was made. The Secretary of State would have to purchase or lease the equipment for capturing the images. A captured image would have to appear on the applicant’s operator’s or chauffeur’s license. The Secretary of State could retain and use a person’s image only for programs he or she administered. Except as provided in the bill, the Secretary of State could not use a person’s image unless the person granted written permission to the Secretary of State or specific enabling legislation permitting the use were enacted into law. A law enforcement agency of the State would have access to any information retained by the Secretary of State under this provision.
Until January 1, 2002, a $1 service fee would have to be added to each fee collected for an original, renewal, duplicate, or corrected operator’s or chauffeur’s license. This fee would have to be used to defray the Secretary of State’s expenses. The bill would prohibit the use of appropriations from the Michigan Transportation Fund to compensate the Secretary of State for the expenses incurred under the section of the Code providing for driver’s license applications and examinations.
MCL 257.307 & 257.310 Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
The bills would result in additional revenue of approximately $2 million annually until January 1, 2002. The Department of State estimates that the service fee over time would cover the cost of implementing the digitized license program. Fiscal year 1996-97 implementation costs are estimated at $3.7 million. However, actual costs incurred each fiscal year would depend on the contract and the timing of implementation. Therefore, costs could exceed fee revenues during certain fiscal years.
Date Completed: 4-19-96 Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman
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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.