GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA
FUND-RAISING LICENSE PLATE
House Bills 5849 and 5850
Sponsor: Rep. Joan Bauer
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 11-27-12
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5849 & 5850 AS INTRODUCED 9-11-12
House Bill 5849 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to authorize the Secretary of State to issue a fund-raising license plate recognizing the Girl Scouts of America. The Secretary of State would design of the fund-raising plate in conjunction with the Girl Scouts of America.
Fund-raising donations collected would be transferred by the Secretary of State to the State Treasurer, who would be required to credit the money to the Girl Scouts of Michigan Fund created in 2010 under the Girl Scouts of Michigan Fund Act. (This fund was created to receive donations from an income tax check-off.)
Donation money credited to the Girl Scouts of Michigan Fund would be distributed as follows: (1) money raised from the sale of a fund-raising plate recognizing the Girl Scouts of America in a county would be distributed to the Girl Scout Council of that county and (2) if a county is served by more than one local Girl Scout Council, money raised from the sale of a fund-raising plate would be distributed to each Girl Scout Council within the county based on the percentage of Girl Scout membership in that county.
House Bill 5850 would make a complementary amendment to the Girl Scouts of America Fund Act so that the fund established in that act for income tax check-offs would also be a repository for money derived from the sale of the fund-raising plate.
The two bills are tie-barred, meaning neither would take effect unless both were enacted.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would create a new fund-raising plate for the Girl Scouts of America. Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, a start-up fee of $15,000 must be deposited in the Transportation Administration Collection Fund to be used for the cost of creating, producing, and issuing the plate. Presumably, the sponsor of the new fund-raising plate would cover the start-up fee; however, it is not required. Under the act, the start–up fee must be paid within 18 months of the effective date of the public act authorizing the new fund-raising plates. Revenue generated from the fund-raising plate would be deposited in the Girl Scouts of Michigan Fund. The State Treasurer would distribute the money to the Girl Scout Council of the county that sold the fundraising plate. If a county is served by more than one Girl Scout Council, money raised from the sale of a fundraising plate shall be distributed to each Girl Scout Council with in the county based on the percentage of Girl Scout membership in that county.
Fiscal Analyst: Ben Gielczyk
■ 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.