SENATE BILL NO. 1060

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

"Michigan vehicle code,"

by amending section 803b (MCL 257.803b), as amended by 2023 PA 129.

the people of the state of michigan enact:

Sec. 803b. (1) The secretary of state may issue 1 personalized vehicle registration plate that must be used on the passenger motor vehicle, pick-up truck, motorcycle, van, motor home, hearse, bus, trailer coach, or trailer for which the plate is issued instead of a standard plate. Personalized plates must bear letters and numbers as the secretary of state prescribes. The personalized plates must be made of the same material as standard plates. A personalized plate must not duplicate another registration plate. Personalized plates must bear letters and numbers as the secretary of state prescribes. A personalized plate must not bear a configuration of letters, numbers, or letters and numbers that conflicts with the regular license plate numbering system or is any of the following:

(a) Carrying a connotation that is profane or obscene.

(b) A swear word or the depiction of a swear word.

(c) Sexually explicit or graphic.

(d) Excretory-related.

(e) Used to describe an intimate body part or genitals.

(f) Used to describe alcohol, alcohol use, drugs, drug culture, or drug use.

(g) Used to describe an illegal activity or illegal substance.

(h) Used to substantially interfere with plate identification for law enforcement purposes.

(i) Used to disparage or promote or condone hate or violence directed at any type of business, group, or persons.

(j) A foreign word that is substantially similar to a configuration not permitted under subdivisions (a) to (i).

(2) An application for a personalized registration plate must be submitted to the secretary of state under section 217. Application for an original personalized registration plate must be accompanied with payment of a service fee of $8.00 for the first month and of $2.00 per month for each additional month of the registration period in addition to the regular vehicle registration fee. A second duplicate registration plate may be obtained by requesting that option on the application and paying an additional service fee of $5.00. The original and duplicate service fees must be deposited in the transportation administration collection fund created in section 810b through October 1, 2027. Application for the renewal of a personalized registration plate must be accompanied with payment of a service fee of $15.00 in addition to the regular vehicle registration fee. The service fee must be credited to the Michigan transportation fund established under, and must be allocated as prescribed under, section 10 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.660. The amount allocated to the state trunk line fund established under section 11 of 1951 PA 51, MCL 247.661, must be used by the state transportation department for litter pickup and cleanup on state roads and rights-of-way.

(3) The expiration date for a personalized registration plate is as prescribed under section 226. Upon the issuance or renewal of a personalized registration plate, the secretary of state may issue a tab or tabs designating the month and year of expiration. Upon the renewal of a personalized registration plate, the secretary of state shall issue a new tab or tabs for the rear plate designating the next expiration date of the plate. Upon renewal, the secretary of state shall not issue the owner a new exact duplicate of the expired plate unless the plate is illegible and the owner pays the service fee and registration fee for an original personalized registration plate.

(4) The sequence of letters or numbers or combination of letters and numbers on a personalized plate must not be given to a different person in a subsequent year unless the person to whom the plate was issued does not reapply before the expiration date of the plate.

(5) An applicant who applies for a registration plate under section 217d, 803e, 803f, 803j, 803k, 803l, 803n, or 803o is eligible to request, and the secretary of state may issue, the registration plate with a sequence of letters and numbers otherwise authorized under this section.

(6) The secretary of state may issue a temporary permit to a person who has submitted an application and the proper fees for a personalized registration plate if the applicant's vehicle registration may expire before receipt of the applicant's personalized registration plate. The temporary registration is valid for not more than 60 days after the date of issuance. The temporary permit must be issued without a fee.

Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No. 1061 of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law.