S.B. 613: ENROLLED SUMMARY - VEHICLE REGISTRATION, FEES

Senate Bill 613 (as enrolled) - PUBLIC ACT 247 of 1998

Sponsor: Senator Bill Bullard, Jr.

Senate Committee: Transportation and Tourism

House Committee: Appropriations

Date Completed: 7-21-98

CONTENT

The bill amended the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:

-- Revise provisions on the fees charged by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and jurisdictional authorities for special permits issued to nonconforming vehicles for single and multiple trips.

-- Require, beginning October 1, 1999, an applicant who registers a leased vehicle or pickup truck to disclose certain information about the lessee.

-- Permit a public transit vehicle to be equipped with flashing lights for use in inclement weather, at certain times of the day, or when boarding or discharging passengers.

Permit Fees for Nonconforming Vehicles

Previously, the fee charged by a jurisdictional authority for an intrastate or an out-of-State vehicle for a single trip had to be $50 and for multiple trips or on an annual basis had to be $100. Under the bill, except as otherwise provided, these fees must be charged by the Transportation Department. Except as otherwise provided, the fee charged by a jurisdictional authority other than the MDOT for an intrastate or an out-of-State vehicle for a single trip may not be more than $50 and for multiple trips or on an annual basis may not be more than $100.

The bill provides that, effective October 1, 1998, the fee charged by a jurisdictional authority other than the MDOT for a special permit must be the fee charged on September 30, 1997. This fee may be increased above the amount charged on September 30, 1997, subject to the maximum allowed by the bill subject to a prior public hearing with reasonable notice. The fee charged by a jurisdictional authority other than the Transportation Department for a special permit that is more than $50 for a single trip or more than $100 for multiple trips or on an annual basis, or both, on September 30, 1997, may not be increased.

The fee charged by the MDOT for an intrastate or an out-of-State vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceed the maximum size specified in Chapter VI of the Code but do not exceed the maximum weight or load specified in the chapter or are otherwise not in conformity with Chapter VI must be $15 for a single trip and $30 for multiple trips or on an annual basis. These fees may be increased not more than once yearly based on the percentage increase in the U.S. Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers for the immediately preceding 12-month period rounded to the nearest whole dollar. The bill specifies that these provisions will take effect October 1, 1998.

The fee charged by a jurisdictional authority other than the Transportation Department for an intrastate or an out-of-State vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size exceeding the maximum specified in Chapter VI but not exceeding the maximum weight or load specified in the chapter may not exceed the administrative costs incurred by that jurisdictional authority in issuing the permit. The bill specifies that these provisions will take effect October 1, 1998.

Leased Vehicle Registration

The bill provides that, beginning October 1, 1999, the Secretary of State will have to require an applicant for registration of a leased pickup truck or passenger vehicle that is subject to registration under the Code, except a vehicle that is subject to the apportionment of fees for trucks engaged in interstate commerce, to disclose in writing the lessee's name and bona fide residence, and either of the following:

-- The lessee's Michigan driver license number or Michigan personal identification number or, if the lessee does not have one of those documents, the lessee's mailing address, if the lessee is an individual.

-- The lessee's business address, if the lessee is a firm, association, or corporation.

The Secretary of State must maintain this information on the Secretary of State's computer records.

Flashing Lights

The Code prohibits the use or possession of flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights of any color except as otherwise provided by law or on certain vehicles. The bill deleted an exception for a hearse or funeral coach. The bill provides, instead, that a vehicle engaged in leading or escorting a funeral procession or any vehicle that is part of a funeral procession may be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating purple or amber lights, which may not be activated except during a funeral procession.

The bill also permits a public transit vehicle to be equipped with a flashing, oscillating, or rotating light mounted on the roof of the vehicle approximately six feet from the rear of the vehicle which displays a white light to the front, side, and rear of the vehicle. The light may be actuated by the driver for use only in inclement weather such as fog, rain, or snow, when boarding or discharging passengers, from one-half hour before sunset until one-half hour after sunrise, or where conditions hinder the visibility of the public transit vehicle. (The bill defines "public transit vehicle" as a motor vehicle, other than a station wagon or passenger van, with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.)

MCL 257.217 et al. - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim

FISCAL IMPACT

There may be some additional administrative cost incurred in the printing of new registration certificates, as well as for data collection and storage requirements. There also may be some postage cost incurred with the mailing of registration certificates to the owner of the vehicle. Because the cost will depend on the number of vehicles covered by this bill, the fiscal impact of the bill is indeterminate.

The bill also amends the fee charged by the State Transportation Department for an intrastate or an out-of-State vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceed the maximum size, but do not exceed the maximum weight. Beginning October 1, 1998, the fees charged for a single trip will be $15, and the fee charged for multiple trips will be $30. Currently, these fees are $50 and $100, respectively. Reducing these fees from $50 to $15 and $100 to $30 will result in a revenue loss of approximately $3.5 million to the State. The bill also includes criteria that other jurisdictional authorities must follow to increase fees above the level charged on September 30, 1997.

- Fiscal Analyst: E. Limbs

S9798\S613ES

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.