"THIN BLUE LINE" FUND-RAISING PLATE S.B. 367:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 367 (as introduced 6-4-15)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:
-- Require the Secretary of State (SOS) to develop and issue a Thin Blue Line fund-raising plate and a matching Thin Blue Line collector plate.
-- Create the "Thin Blue Line Fund" within the State Treasury and require the donation money from the sale of the plates to be deposited into the Fund.
-- Require the money in the proposed Fund to be disbursed on a quarterly basis to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan.
Specifically, the bill would require the SOS to develop under Section 811e and issue under Section 811f a Thin Blue Line Fund-Raising Plate, and a matching Thin Blue Line collector plate as provided under Section 811g. The SOS, in conjunction with the Thin Blue Line of Michigan, would have to design the plates, having the words "Thin Blue Line" and "Michigan" on them.
(Section 811e of the Code prescribes a start-up fee of $15,000 for each new authorized fund-raising license plate. The SOS must deposit the fee in the Transportation Administration Collection Fund to be used for the cost of creating, producing, and issuing fund-raising plates. If the fee is not paid within 18 months after the effective date of the public act that authorizes the development and issuance of a fund-raising plate, the SOS may not create, produce, or issue the related plate. The SOS 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 plates and matching collector plates; and, if a fund is created, names the person or entity responsible for administering the fund.
Section 811f prescribes a $25 donation and $10 service fee, in addition to the regular vehicle registration tax, for an original fund-raising plate. For a renewal, an applicant must pay a $10 donation in addition to the registration tax.
Section 811g allows the SOS to develop, market, promote, and sell a collector plate. However, the SOS may develop, market, and promote a collector plate only with funds available from the collection of service fees under the Code. A person may purchase one or more collector plates by paying the SOS a $10 service fee and a $25 fund-raising donation.)
The owner of a vehicle required to be registered under the Code could apply, on a form prescribed by the SOS, for a Thin Blue Line fund-raising plate instead of a standard registration plate.
The bill would create the Thin Blue Line Fund within the State Treasury. The State Treasurer could receive money or other assets from any source for deposit into the Fund. The State Treasurer would have to direct the investment of the Fund, and credit to it any interest and earnings from Fund investments. Money in the Fund at the close of the fiscal year would remain in the Fund and would not lapse to the General Fund. The State Treasurer would be the administrator of the Fund for auditing purposes.
The SOS would have to transfer the donation money from the sale of Thin Blue Line fund-raising and collector plates to the State Treasurer, who would have to credit the money to the proposed Thin Blue Line Fund. The State Treasurer would have to disburse the money in the Fund on a quarterly basis to the Thin Blue Line of Michigan.
The Thin Blue Line of Michigan would have to spend the money received from the State Treasurer solely to assist and support the families of injured or deceased officers of public safety agencies within the State.
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
BACKGROUND
According to its website, the Thin Blue Line is a nonprofit organization that provides assistance and support to the families of injured or deceased officers of law enforcement agencies within the State. Specifically, the organization aids both active or honorably retired officers and their families with financial, emotional, physical, and medical assistance upon the occasion of an officer's injury or death. The organization provides short-term assistance and care to law enforcement officers and their families throughout Michigan, and long-term assistance and care to its active members.
Legislative Analyst: Drew Krogulecki
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 Thin Blue Line Fund proposed in the bill. The revenue generated from the Thin Blue Line fund-raising license plate and collector 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 Thin Blue Line of Michigan.
The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.
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.