INTERPRETERS' STANDARDS FUND S.B. 1526 (S-1): FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1526 (Substitute S-1 as reported) (as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Senator Mark C. Jansen
Committee: Appropriations

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Deaf Persons' Interpreters Act to create the "Interpreters' Standards Fund" under the administration of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG). The Fund would be used to support the Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing interpreters certification program created by Public Act 23 of 2007. The Fund would be the depository for the interpreter certification and examination fees paid by interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing pursuant to the Act. It would be eligible to receive revenue or assets from any source, and investment of the Fund would be the responsibility of the State Treasurer. Unspent revenue in the Fund would carry forward and would not lapse to the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year.


Proposed MCL 393.508f

FISCAL IMPACT
This bill would create a new restricted fund that would allow DLEG to carry forward any unspent revenue from licensing and examination fees paid by interpreters for the deaf or hard of hearing. This fee revenue supports the costs of administering the certification program. The interpreter fees, under Public Act 23 of 2007, are shown in Table 1 below:


Table 1

Schedule of Interpreter Fees
Type of Fee Amount
Application fee $30
Examination fee (resident) $125
Examination fee (nonresident) $175
Renewal fee $30



For FY 2007-08 to date, the fees generated $32,800 in revenue. Public Act 251 of 2008, the FY 2008-09 DLEG budget, includes $75,000 of restricted fund spending authority for the Commission on Disability Concerns to support the certification program.


Date Completed: 9-29-08 Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt Maria Tyszkiewicz

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. sb1526/0708