Act No. 143

Public Acts of 2022

Approved by the Governor

July 11, 2022

Filed with the Secretary of State

July 11, 2022

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 11, 2022

state of michigan

101st Legislature

Regular session of 2022

Introduced by Reps. Slagh, Carra, Markkanen, Bezotte, Sabo and Yaroch

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 5678

AN ACT to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “An act to provide for the registration, titling, sale, transfer, and regulation of certain vehicles operated upon the public highways of this state or any other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles and distressed vehicles; to provide for the licensing of dealers; to provide for the examination, licensing, and control of operators and chauffeurs; to provide for the giving of proof of financial responsibility and security by owners and operators of vehicles; to provide for the imposition, levy, and collection of specific taxes on vehicles, and the levy and collection of sales and use taxes, license fees, and permit fees; to provide for the regulation and use of streets and highways; to create certain funds; to provide penalties and sanctions for a violation of this act; to provide for civil liability of manufacturers, the manufacturers of certain devices, the manufacturers of automated technology, upfitters, owners, and operators of vehicles and service of process on residents and nonresidents; to regulate the introduction and use of certain evidence; to regulate and certify the manufacturers of certain devices; to provide for approval and certification of installers and servicers of certain devices; to provide for the levy of certain assessments; to provide for the enforcement of this act; to provide for the creation of and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local agencies; to impose liability upon the state or local agencies; to provide appropriations for certain purposes; to repeal all other acts or parts of acts inconsistent with this act or contrary to this act; and to repeal certain parts of this act on a specific date,” by amending sections 217d, 803e, 803f, 803i, 803j, 803k, 803l, 803n, 803o, and 804 (MCL 257.217d, 257.803e, 257.803f, 257.803i, 257.803j, 257.803k, 257.803l, 257.803n, 257.803o, and 257.804), section 217d as amended by 2006 PA 562, section 803e as amended by 2020 PA 51, section 803f as amended by 2018 PA 681, section 803i as amended by 2011 PA 74, sections 803j, 803k, 803n, and 803o as amended by 1999 PA 183, section 803l as amended by 2000 PA 77, and section 804 as amended by 2019 PA 88.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 217d. (1) The secretary of state shall design and may issue a special Congressional Medal of Honor registration plate for residents of this state awarded the congressional medal of honor.

(2) A special Congressional Medal of Honor registration plate is issued for only 1 vehicle intended for personal use by the applicant.

(3) A recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate on a form prescribed by the secretary of state that must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant having been a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient that the secretary of state may require. The application must not require a service fee under section 804.

(4) A person who qualifies to be issued a special registration plate under this section is entitled to only 1 special registration plate issued under subsection (1) that is exempt from payment of the tax provided in section 801.

(5) A person with disabilities who applies for a special registration plate under this section must be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for his or her special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is disabled as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675.

(6) A special registration plate issued under subsection (1) expires on the birthday of the vehicle owner in a year in which new plates are issued by the secretary of state.

(7) The secretary of state shall deliver or cause to be delivered 1 or more special registration plates issued under this section to the home address of the applicant at no additional cost to the applicant.

Sec. 803e. (1) A person who was a prisoner of war or a person whose spouse was a prisoner of war may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers preceded by the letters “EX-POW” and the words “ex-prisoner of war” beneath the registration number.

(2) A person who was a member of the United States Armed Forces during World War I may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers preceded by the letters “WWI” and the words “World War I veteran” beneath the registration number.

(3) A person who was a member of the United States Armed Forces during 1941, was stationed at a United States military or naval establishment at Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands, and survived the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers and the words “Pearl Harbor survivor” beneath the registration number.

(4) A recipient of the Purple Heart Medal may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers and the words “combat wounded veteran” beneath the registration number. In addition, the special registration plate described in this subsection must be inscribed with a vignette of the official Purple Heart Medal.

(5) Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant having been a prisoner of war, World War I veteran, Pearl Harbor survivor, or recipient of the Purple Heart Medal that the secretary of state may require. Application for a “Gold Star Family” special registration plate described in subsection (9) or a “Blue Star Family” special registration plate described in subsection (10) must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant having been a gold star or blue star family member that the secretary of state may require. The application for the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(6) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 or more special registration plates under this section for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. A person who is disabled who applies for a special registration plate under this section must be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for his or her special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. One person in any household is entitled to 1 special registration plate issued under subsection (1) that is exempt from payment of the tax provided in section 801. The person who is issued an additional special registration plate under subsection (1) must be assessed the applicable tax provided for in section 801. A person issued 1 or more special registration plates under subsection (2), (3), (4), (9), or (10) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

(7) The use of a special registration plate issued under this section on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(8) The special registration plate issued under this section expires on the birthday of the vehicle owner in a year in which new plates are issued by the secretary of state. Application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (5).

(9) A gold star family member may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers preceded by a gold star and the words “Gold Star Family” beneath the registration number.

(10) A blue star family member may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers preceded by a Blue Star Families insignia and the words “Blue Star Family” beneath the registration number.

(11) As used in this section:

(a) “Blue star family member” means a person who is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces or in forces incorporated as part of the United States Armed Forces or a person who has an immediate family member serving in the United States Armed Forces or in forces incorporated as part of the United States Armed Forces. As used in this subdivision, “immediate family member” means a parent, stepparent, adoptive parent, foster parent standing in loco parentis, child, stepchild, adopted child, sibling, half-sibling, spouse, or grandparent.

(b) “Gold star family member” means a person who has had an immediate family member die while serving in the United States Armed Forces or in forces incorporated as part of the United States Armed Forces if the immediate family member meets any of the eligibility criteria specified in 10 USC 1126(a)(1) to (3) for a gold star lapel button.

Sec. 803f. (1) A person who is a totally disabled veteran with an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces may apply to the secretary of state if he or she owns a private passenger motor vehicle, and the secretary of state may issue a special registration plate inscribed with special identification numbers preceded by the letters “DV” and the words “disabled veteran” inscribed beneath the registration number.

(2) Application for the special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, must not require a service fee under section 804, and must be accompanied by proof that the applicant was honorably discharged from the armed services and either 1 of the following:

(a) That the applicant has been determined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to have a service-connected total or permanent total disability rating for compensation.

(b) That the applicant has been determined to have a service-connected total or permanent total disability rating and is receiving disability retirement pay from a branch of the uniformed armed services.

(3) A special registration issued under this section is exempt from payment of the tax provided in section 801.

(4) The special registration plate expires on the birthday of the disabled veteran in a year in which new plates are issued by the secretary of state. Application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (2) for renewal.

(5) The surviving spouse of a person who is a totally disabled veteran with an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces may use a special registration plate issued under this section after the death of the totally disabled veteran and may renew a special registration plate issued under this section after the death of the totally disabled veteran in the same manner as provided under this section for a totally disabled veteran. If applicable, a surviving spouse shall apply for registration of the vehicle upon which he or she wishes to place the disabled veteran plate before using or renewing the plate as described in this section.

(6) The secretary of state may issue to a disabled person who has been issued a special registration plate under this section a tab for persons with disabilities. The tab for persons with disabilities must be an adhesive tab displaying the international wheelchair symbol or a reasonable facsimile of that symbol. The tab for persons with disabilities may be attached only to the special registration plate issued to the disabled person under this section.

(7) An application for a tab for persons with disabilities must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. If the surviving spouse of a totally disabled veteran is a disabled person, he or she may apply to the secretary of state for a tab for persons with disabilities in the same manner as provided for a totally disabled veteran under this subsection.

(8) The tab for persons with disabilities must be issued free of charge.

(9) When a disabled person who has been issued a tab for persons with disabilities renews his or her special registration plate under this section, the secretary of state shall issue a new tab for persons with disabilities to the disabled person, free of charge. The disabled person shall not be required to again furnish the proof required under subsection (7).

(10) The use of the special registration plate or a tab for persons with disabilities issued under this section on a motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which the special registration plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(11) As used in this section, “private passenger motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle that is personally owned by the disabled veteran and is used for the primary purpose of transporting the disabled veteran and family members of the disabled veteran, but does not include a motor home.

Sec. 803i. (1) A person who was or is a member of the National Guard may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the words “national guard” inscribed beneath the registration numbers for passenger vehicles only.

(2) A person who was or is a member of the United States Armed Forces Reserve may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers.

(3) A person who was a member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces who has retired or been granted an honorable discharge from that branch of the United States Armed Forces and who is not otherwise eligible for a special registration plate under this act may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers.

(4) Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant being or having been a member of the National Guard or the United States Armed Forces Reserve or a member as described in subsection (3) of the United States Armed Forces that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(5) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 or more special registration plates under this section for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle or, for the purposes of subsection (1) or (3), for use on a motorcycle. A person who is disabled who applies for a special registration plate under this section must be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for his or her special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. A person issued 1 or more special registration plates under subsection (1), (2), or (3) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

(6) The use of a special registration plate issued under this section on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(7) The special registration plate issued under this section expires on the birthday of the vehicle owner. When new plates are issued by the secretary of state, application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (4).

Sec. 803j. (1) A person who was a member of the United States Armed Forces or a person whose spouse was a member of the United States Armed Forces during the Korean War may make application to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word “veteran” inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant or the applicant’s spouse having been a Korean War veteran that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(3) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 or more special registration plates under this section for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. A person who is disabled who makes application for a special registration plate under this section shall be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for his or her special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. A person issued 1 or more special registration plates under subsection (1) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

(4) The use of a special registration plate issued under this section on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(5) The special registration plate issued under this section expires on the birthday of the vehicle owner. When new plates are issued by the secretary of state, application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (2).

Sec. 803k. (1) A person who was a member of the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War or a person whose spouse was a member of the United States Armed Forces during the Vietnam War may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word “veteran” inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant or applicant’s spouse having been a Vietnam War veteran that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(4) The use of a special registration plate on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

Sec. 803l. (1) A person who was a member of the United States Armed Forces during World War II or a person whose spouse was a member of the United States Armed Forces during World War II may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word “veteran” inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant or applicant’s spouse having been a World War II veteran that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(3) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 special registration plate for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. A person who is disabled who makes application for a special registration plate under this section shall be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for his or her special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. A person issued a special registration plate under subsection (1) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

Sec. 803n. (1) A person who was a member or a person whose spouse was a member of the Michigan National Guard, the United States Armed Forces Reserve, or any branch of the United States Armed Forces and who was called to active duty during the Persian Gulf War may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word “veteran” inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) A person who was a member or a person whose spouse was a member of the United States Armed Forces during the conflict in Grenada, the conflict in Panama, or the conflict in Lebanon may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word “veteran” inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(3) Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant or applicant’s spouse having been a war or conflict veteran that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(4) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 or more special registration plates under this section for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. A person who is disabled who applies for a special registration plate under this section shall be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for his or her special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. A person issued 1 or more special registration plates under subsection (1) or (2) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

(5) The use of a special registration plate issued under this section on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(6) The special registration plate issued under this section expires on the birthday of the vehicle owner. When new plates are issued by the secretary of state, application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (3).

Sec. 803o. (1) A person who was a member or a person whose spouse was a member of the Michigan National Guard, the United States Armed Forces Reserve, or any branch of the United States Armed Forces and who was called to active duty during a declared war or an armed conflict in which the United States was a participant may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the word “veteran” inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) Application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, and must be accompanied by any proof of the applicant or applicant’s spouse having been a veteran of a declared war or an armed conflict in which the United States was a participant that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(3) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 or more special registration plates under this section for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. A person who is disabled who applies for a special registration plate under this section shall be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803f for his or her special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. A person issued 1 or more special registration plates under subsection (1) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

Sec. 804. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this act, in addition to any other fees required under this act, the applicant shall pay a $5.00 service fee with each application for each distinctive or commemorative plate provided for in this act to cover manufacturing and issuance costs unless these costs are otherwise specifically provided for in this act.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in this act, an applicant for a duplicate or replacement license plate provided for in this act shall pay the following service fee to the secretary of state, in addition to any other fees required under this act:

(a) Five dollars for a standard or graphic standard plate, personalized registration plate, or other registration plate for which the duplicate or replacement fee has not been specified in this act.

(b) Ten dollars for a set of plates provided for in section 803m.

(c) Ten dollars for each fund-raising registration plate issued under section 811e or 811f, or collector plate described in section 811g.

(3) The secretary of state shall deposit the service fees collected under this section in the transportation administration collection fund created in section 810b through October 1, 2023.

Text, letter

Description automatically generated This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Clerk of the House of Representatives

Secretary of the Senate

Approved___________________________________________

____________________________________________________

Governor