LIMOUSINE TRANSPORTATION REVISIONS S.B. 748:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 748 (as introduced 1-30-14)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Limousine Transportation Act to do the following:
-- Adjust the population threshold in a provision that requires certain limousine operators to comply with a city's limousine ordinance.
-- Increase the number of passengers that Class B limousines may carry.
-- Increase the maximum fine for driving or operating a limousine in violation of the Act.
City Ordinance
The Act regulates the operation of a limousine by a limo carrier of passengers. The Act defines "limousine" as a self-propelled motor vehicle, with a seating capacity of 15 passengers or less including the driver, used in the carrying of passengers and their baggage for hire upon the State's public highways. "Limo carrier of passengers" means a person who holds himself or herself out to the public as willing to undertake for hire to transport by limousine from place to place over the State's public highways people who may choose to employ him or her for the purpose of transporting them in that manner.
A limo carrier of passengers that operates Class B limousines for the purpose of picking up passengers within a city with a population of 750,000 or more also must comply with that city's limo ordinance. Under the bill, this requirement would apply to a carrier that operated Class B limousines for the purpose of picking up passengers within a city with a population of 500,000 or more. (When this provision was added to the Act in 2000, Detroit met the 750,000 threshold, and was the only city in the State to do so, but its population has fallen below 750,000 in recent years. Detroit is currently the only Michigan city with a population of 500,000 or more.)
Class A & Class B Limos
Under the Act, a Class A limousine is one with a seating capacity of at least seven passengers, including the driver. A Class B limousine is one with a seating capacity of fewer than seven passengers, including the driver.
Under the bill, a Class A limousine would be one with a seating capacity of at least 10 passengers, including the driver. A Class B limousine would be one with a seating capacity of fewer than 10 passengers, including the driver.
Maximum Penalty
A limo carrier of passengers, or its officer or agent, who requires or permits a driver or operator to drive or operate a limousine in violation of the Act or a rule promulgated under the Act, is guilty of a misdemeanor. The current penalty for that violation is a maximum fine of $500 and/or up to 90 days' imprisonment. The bill would increase the maximum fine to $750.
MCL 257.1907 & 257.1931 Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State government. The population change in the bill would continue the State requirement that a Class B limousine operator in the City of Detroit comply with local regulation. This would maintain local revenue to the City of Detroit from regulation of Class B limousines. The proposed increase in the number of seats in a vehicle considered as Class B would increase the local revenue by a unknown amount.
The proposed increase in the maximum fine for a violation of the Limousine Transportation Act would increase revenue from penal fines, which are distributed to public libraries. The revenue would depend on the number of violations and the amount of the fine assessed.
Fiscal Analyst: Elizabeth Pratt
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.