DUCKS UNLIMITED LICENSE PLATE S.B. 187:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 187 (as introduced 2-22-11)
Sponsor: Senator Darwin L. Booher
Committee: Transportation
Date Completed: 5-23-11
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:
-- Eliminate the eight-plate limit on State-sponsored fund-raising license plates.
-- Require the Secretary of State (SOS) to develop a fund-raising plate and collector plate recognizing Ducks Unlimited.
-- Create the "Ducks Unlimited Fund" and require donations for those plates to be deposited into the Fund.
The Code allows the SOS, at one time, to develop up to eight State-sponsored fund-raising registration plates and matching State-sponsored collector plates. The bill would eliminate the limit.
Under the bill, the SOS would have to develop and could issue a fund-raising plate and collector plate recognizing Ducks Unlimited. The words "Ducks Unlimited" would have to be inscribed on the plate. The SOS would have to transfer fund-raising donations for the plates to the State Treasurer.
The bill would create the Ducks Unlimited Fund within the State Treasury. The State Treasurer would have to credit the donation money to that Fund, and disburse money in the Fund on a quarterly basis to the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, Incorporated.
The Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited would have to report annually to the Department of Treasury an accounting of money received and used under the bill.
The State Treasurer could receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the Fund. The Treasurer would have to direct the investment of the Fund and credit to it interest and earnings from Fund investments. Money in the Fund at the close of the fiscal year would have to remain in the Fund and not lapse into the State General Fund.
MCL 257.811e et al.
BACKGROUND
Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, the Secretary of State may not develop or issue a fund-raising plate unless a public act authorizing the plate identifies its purpose; creates a nonprofit fund or designates an existing nonprofit fund to receive the money raised through the sale of the fund-raising plates and matching collector plates; and names the person or entity responsible for administering the fund.
The Code prescribes a start-up fee of $15,000 for any new fund-raising plate authorized by the SOS. In addition, a fund-raising plate must meet or exceed sales goals of 2,000 in the first year and 500 each year for the next five years. The SOS may discontinue a fund-raising plate that fails to meet the sales goals.
An application for an original fund-raising plate must be accompanied by a $25 donation and a $10 service fee, in addition to the regular registration tax. A renewal application must be accompanied by the registration tax and a $10 donation.
Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create a start-up cost to the Department of State; however, the start-up fee of $15,000 prescribed in the Code would have to be paid to the Department of State from the Ducks Unlimited Fund proposed in the bill. The revenue generated from the fund-raising license plate established under the bill would be deposited into the proposed Fund, after which the State Treasurer would disburse payments from the Fund on a quarterly basis to the Michigan Chapter of Ducks Unlimited.
The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
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. sb187/1112