S.B. 1046: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - DIPLOMAT LICENSE PLATE

Senate Bill 1046 (as introduced 4-14-98)

Date Completed: 5-19-98

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to permit a person who was a member of a diplomatic corps of a nation other than the United States that was recognized by the U.S. government and who was assigned or stationed in Michigan, to apply to the Secretary of State for a special registration plate. The special registration plate would have to display the capitalized letters "DPL" preceding the registration numbers and have the word "diplomat" inscribed beneath the registration letters and numbers.

Application for the special registration plate would have to be on a form prescribed by the Secretary of State, and be accompanied by any proof of the applicant's being a foreign diplomat that the Secretary of State required. The application also would have to be accompanied by payment of a $5 service fee.

Upon proper application and payment of the $5 service fee, the Secretary of State would have to issue one or more special registration plates for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. A person issued one or more special registration plates would have to be assessed the applicable tax under the Code's provisions on vehicle registration fees.

The use of a special registration plate on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate was issued, or by a person who did not qualify under the bill, would be a misdemeanor.

The special registration plate issued under the bill would expire on the vehicle owner's birthday. When new plates were issued by the Secretary of State, the application for a plate's renewal would have to be accompanied by a $5 service fee. The applicant, however, would not be required to furnish proof that he or she was a foreign diplomat.

Proposed MCL 257.803q - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim

FISCAL IMPACT

There are no data to indicate how many individuals would apply for such registration plates. Therefore, the fiscal impact on the State is indeterminate. There would be no fiscal impact on local government.

- Fiscal Analyst: E. Limbs

S9798\S1046SA

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.