Bill
SB 788
Creates a new 'woman veteran' license plate in Michigan to recognize service, set eligibility, waive initial plate fee, and simplify renewals for eligible women veterans.
Summary
SB 788 authorizes a new specialty license plate — inscribed “woman veteran” with an identifying vignette — for qualifying women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces (including National Guard and reserves). The statute is added to the Michigan Vehicle Code (new Sec. 803u). The plate recognizes women veterans, sets application and renewal rules, provides for disability tabs, and creates a misdemeanor for improper use.
Purpose / intent
- Provide official recognition of women veterans in Michigan by making a distinct “woman veteran” registration plate available.
- Enable qualified women veterans to display their service status on passenger vehicles while preserving standard registration tax treatment.
Key provisions
- Eligibility (who may apply)
- A woman who was a member of the Michigan National Guard, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve, or any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and was called to active duty during a declared war or an armed conflict in which the U.S. participated; OR
- A woman who was a member (including reservists and National Guard) of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and has retired or been granted an honorable discharge.
- Application and documentation
- Applicants must apply on a Secretary of State form and provide any proof the SOS requires to establish eligibility for the initial issuance.
- No service fee may be required for the special plate application (per Sec. 804).
- The applicable vehicle registration tax still applies.
- Issuance and renewal
- On proper application the Secretary of State shall issue one or more special plates for use on a passenger vehicle.
- The special plate expires on the vehicle owner’s birthday.
- For renewals the applicant is not required to resubmit the proof submitted with the initial application.
- Disability accommodation
- A disabled applicant issued the special plate must also be issued a persons-with-disabilities tab for that plate; proof of disability must be the same as that required for a permanent windshield placard (Sec. 675).
- Penalty for misuse
- Use of the plate on a vehicle other than the one for which it was issued, or by a person who does not qualify, is a misdemeanor (the Michigan Vehicle Code provides misdemeanor penalties for this class of violations — historically up to 90 days in jail and/or a fine up to $100 under comparable provisions).
- Fiscal / administrative notes
- One-time start-up costs (design, programming, materials) were estimated (by fiscal staff) at roughly $60,000; the Department of State can likely absorb costs within existing appropriations.
- The registration tax revenue treatment is unchanged; receipts are deposited to the Michigan Transportation Fund.
- There is an indeterminate fiscal impact on local governments and courts from potential new misdemeanor arrests/convictions (local jail, probation, court workload may be affected depending on enforcement).
Who is affected
- Primary: Women veterans in Michigan who meet the eligibility criteria (testimony cited ~46,000 women veterans in Michigan).
- State agencies: Secretary of State (administers application, issuance, renewal, plate design/production) and Department of State (start-up and ongoing administrative tasks).
- Local government and justice system: possible additional misdemeanor cases if misuse occurs.
- Vehicle owners: normal registration taxes still apply; no extra service fee for the specialty plate.
Procedural / timeline aspects
- The bill adds section 803u to the Michigan Vehicle Code.
- Effective date (as enacted): the act takes effect November 10, 2025.
- Initial application requires proof of eligibility; renewal does not.
Impact summary
SB 788 creates a new nondiscriminatory, honorary specialty plate option that formally recognizes women veterans and provides a streamlined renewal process. Administrative start‑up costs are modest and expected to be accommodated within existing budgets; potential local fiscal effects tied to misdemeanor enforcement are indeterminate and expected to be small.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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