"IN GOD WE TRUST" PLATE S.B. 640: COMMITTEE SUMMARY


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Senate Bill 640 (as introduced 7-18-07)
Sponsor: Senator Cameron S. Brown
Committee: Transportation


Date Completed: 10-19-07

CONTENT The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State to design, develop and issue a fund-raising plate with the words "In God We Trust" inscribed on the plate; and to eliminate the limit on the number of State-sponsored fund-raising plates that may be developed.


Currently, the Code prohibits the Secretary of State from developing more than eight different State-sponsored fund-raising license plates at any one time, along with matching State-sponsored collector plates. The bill would eliminate that restriction.


The "In God We Trust" fund-raising plate would have to be developed under Section 811e and issued under Section 811f. (Section 811e requires a $15,000 start-up fee to be paid for any new fund-raising plate within 18 months after the effective date of the public act authorizing the plate. The fee must be deposited in the Transportation Administration Collection Fund and used for the cost of creating, producing, and issuing fund-raising plates.


Section 811f authorizes the Secretary of State, upon application, to issue one fund-raising plate instead of a standard plate for use on a motor vehicle. A person applying for a fund-raising plate must pay a $25 fund-raising donation, the regular vehicle registration tax, and a $10 service fee. A person applying to renew a fund-raising plate must pay a $25 donation and the regular registration tax.)


The bill would require the Secretary of State to transfer the donation money from the sale of "In God We Trust" fund-raising plates to the State Treasurer, who would have to credit the money to the State's General Fund.


MCL 257.811e et al.

BACKGROUND

The following State-sponsored fund-raising plates currently are authorized under the Code:

Plate Receiving Fund Authorizing Act
  Wildlife Habitat Nongame Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund Act 70 of 2000
Children's Trust Fund Children's Trust Fund Act 71 of 2000
Lighthouse Preservation Michigan Lighthouse Preservation Fund Act 73 of 2000
Water Quality Protection Water Quality Protection Fund Act 74 of 2000
Veteran's Memorial Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Monument Fund Act 78 of 2000
Agricultural Heritage FFA Vision 2000 Endowment Fund Act 79 of 2000
American Pride Proud to Be American Fund Act 124 of 2001
Support Our Troops Support Our Troops, Inc. Act 562 of 2006



The Code also provides for an Olympic Education-Training Center plate, authorized under Public Act 332 of 1994. That plate is not considered a State-sponsored fund-raising plate for the purposes of the Code.

Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would create a start-up cost to the Department of Secretary of State. The start-up fee of $15,000 prescribed in the Code normally covers the Department's start-up costs; however, it is uncertain who would pay this start-up fee as there is no nonprofit fund created from which the start-up fee would be paid.


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. sb640/0708