"THIN BLUE LINE" FUND-RAISING PLATE
House Bill 5245
Sponsor: Rep. Bill Rogers
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 3-24-14
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5245 AS INTRODUCED 1-23-14
House Bill 5245 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to authorize the Secretary of State to develop a fund-raising license plate and issue a matching Thin Blue Line Collector Plate. The Secretary of State in conjunction with the Thin Blue Line of Michigan would design the plate having the words "Thin Blue Line" and "Michigan" on the plate. Money raised would be used solely to assist and support the families of injured or deceased public safety officers.
The Thin Blue Line Fund would be created within the Department of Treasury. The State Treasurer would receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the fund, direct the investment of the fund and credit to the fund interest and earnings from the investments. Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year would remain in the fund and could not lapse to the General Fund.
Fund-raising donations collected would be transferred by the Secretary of State to the State Treasurer, who would be required to disburse the money on a quarterly basis to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan (at P.O. Box 415, Howell, MI 48854-0415 or a successor address). Beginning no later April 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the Thin Blue Line of Michigan would be required to prepare a report to the treasurer summarizing expenditures during the preceding year of the money received. The treasurer would be the administrator of the fund for auditing purposes.
MCL 257.1 et al.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have a nominal negative fiscal impact on the Department of State. Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, the department would receive a non-refundable $15,000 start-up fee (presumably from the plate sponsors) for the cost of developing and producing the fund-raising plate, and individuals would pay a $10 service fee per plate. However, the Department of State reports that these fees do not fully offset the Department's costs.
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.