MOTORCYCLE INSTRUCTION PERMITS                                                     H.B. 4781 (H-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4781 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Bradford C. Jacobsen

House Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Senate Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to specify that an applicant would not be eligible for more than two motorcycle temporary instruction permits in a 10-year period.

(A motorcycle temporary instruction permit allows a person 16 or 17 years old, if he or she has completed an approved motorcycle safety course, or a person 18 years old or older who holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, to operate a motorcycle on public streets and highways for 180 days, provided he or she operates the motorcycle under the constant visual supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years old, and does not operate the motorcycle at night or with a passenger.) 

The bill would take effect on January 1, 2015.

MCL 257.306                                                                   Legislative Analyst:  Jeff Mann

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have an indeterminate but minor fiscal impact at the State and local levels.

The fee for an original motorcycle endorsement on a temporary instruction permit is $13.50.  Of the fee, $10 is directed to the Motorcycle Safety Fund.  Counties and other municipalities are reimbursed for acting as an examining officer or examining bureau at a rate of $1.50 to $3.00 per accepted application.  Any remainder is directed to the General Fund (MCL 257.312c). 

To the extent that applicants otherwise would seek more than two temporary instruction permits within a 10-year period, the Motorcycle Safety Fund and the Department of State would see a corresponding reduction in revenue.  According to the Department of State, there are no data regarding how many times "repeat" permits have been issued to applicants, so any potential resulting decrease in revenue under the bill is indeterminate.  Approximately 16,900 temporary instruction permits were issued in FY 2012-13.

Local governments would experience an indeterminate but minor decrease in reimbursements, and a corresponding decrease in the number of examinations to administer.

Date Completed:  3-19-14                                                 Fiscal Analyst:  Glenn Steffens

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.