SB 619 — Traffic control: driver license; mobile operator's or chauffeur's license (Michigan)
Status: Introduced Feb 20, 2025 — Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Summary
- SB 619 amends Michigan’s Motor Vehicle Code (MCL 257.25 et seq.) by adding a new license category called a “mobile operator’s or chauffeur’s license” and by revising identification, documentation, and application requirements for operator’s and chauffeur’s licenses. The bill adds new statutory sections (including 30d and 310a) and revises multiple existing sections (e.g., 25, 307, 310, 311, 312, 314 & 901a).
Purpose / Intent
- Create and authorize issuance of a distinct “mobile operator’s or chauffeur’s license.”
- Clarify and expand required identity, residency, and legal-presence documentation for license applicants, and set procedural requirements for administering those rules.
Key provisions and changes
- New license type:
- Defines “mobile operator’s or chauffeur’s license” (Sec. 30d) and makes it part of the statutory definition of “license” (Sec. 25).
- Directs that the mobile license is to be issued under a new provision (Sec. 310a).
Identification and documentation (amendment to Sec. 307 and related provisions):
- Applicants (U.S. citizens) must provide photographic identity documents, birth certificates, or other documents required by the Secretary of State to verify identity and citizenship.
- Noncitizen applicants must present a photographic ID and documents proving legal presence; license term for noncitizens cannot exceed their period of legal presence.
- The list of acceptable documents explicitly includes an identification card issued by the Department of Corrections for prisoners placed on parole or released from a correctional facility (referencing MCL 791.237(4)).
- If an applicant’s legal name differs across documents, they must present supporting documentation to verify the current legal name.
- Applicants for licenses with vehicle group designations/endorsements must disclose all states where they’ve been licensed in the prior 10 years and must make certifications (e.g., compliance with federal driver qualification standards in 49 C.F.R. parts 383 and 391; that the test vehicle is representative; not subject to DOT disqualification; not holding licenses in multiple jurisdictions).
- Hazardous materials endorsement applicants must provide fingerprints as required by state and federal law.
Voter registration / address notice:
- The application will include the statutorily required notice that the residence address provided will be used to update the qualified voter file (i.e., the Secretary of State may update voter registration addresses based on the license application).
Administrative authority and appeals:
- The Secretary of State may adopt rules under the Administrative Procedures Act as necessary to implement documentation and verification provisions.
- A determination that a noncitizen applicant is not legally present may be appealed under the revised judicature act (MCL 600.631).
Who is affected
- All persons applying for original or renewal operator’s or chauffeur’s licenses in Michigan, including:
- Noncitizen applicants (legal presence verification and time-limited licenses).
- Individuals applying for vehicle group designations or hazardous materials endorsements.
- Persons in the Address Confidentiality Program (special documentation rules apply).
- Parolees/recently released prisoners (identification card acceptance).
- The Michigan Secretary of State (rulemaking and implementation responsibilities).
Procedural / timeline notes
- Introduced Feb 20, 2025; currently referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for consideration. No fiscal estimate is included in the provided text.
Potential impacts to note
- Operational changes for the Secretary of State (rulemaking, new issuance procedures).
- May expand access to licensing documentation for parolees/recently released individuals by recognizing DOC-issued ID.
- Noncitizen applicants remain subject to legal-presence verification and limited license durations tied to legal status.
- Additional compliance steps for applicants seeking endorsements (fingerprints, federal qualification certifications).
(References in bill text: new sections 30d, 310a; amended Sec. 25 and Sec. 307; federal standards cited — 49 C.F.R. parts 383 & 391; appeal provision MCL 600.631; DOC ID reference MCL 791.237(4).)