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SB 1184

Relating to state financial administration; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony Broadman and 20 co-sponsors

Creates a voluntary fundraising license plate to fund spay/neuter and companion-animal welfare, with donations directed quarterly to the Michigan Pet Alliance.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · SB 1184

Summary — SB 1184 (Vehicles: fund-raising registration plate for spay/neuter clinics; MCL 257.811kk)

Status & timeline
- Introduced: (Senate) December 5, 2024; sponsor: Sen. Dayna Polehanki.
- Passed both chambers and enrolled; signed by the Governor June 20, 2025.
- Effective date: September 1, 2025.
- Amends the Michigan Vehicle Code by adding section 257.811kk.

Purpose / intent
- Create a specialty fundraising vehicle registration plate to raise money for activities that address companion‑animal overpopulation and support humane care and health care for homeless and abused animals in Michigan shelters and rescues, with proceeds directed to the Michigan Pet Alliance (MPA).

Key provisions
- Plate creation and design:
- Directs the Secretary of State (SOS) to develop (under MCL 257.811e) and issue (under MCL 257.811f) a fundraising plate recognizing the State’s need to address companion‑animal overpopulation and support shelter/rescue care.
- Plate design to be developed by the SOS in conjunction with the Michigan Pet Alliance.

  • Protecting Michigan’s Pets Fund:

    • Creates the "Protecting Michigan’s Pets Fund" in the State Treasury to receive donation revenue from sale of the plate.
    • State Treasurer may accept other assets for the Fund, invest Fund assets, and credit interest/earnings to the Fund.
    • Money in the Fund remains there at fiscal year end and does not lapse to the General Fund.
    • State Treasurer serves as Fund administrator for auditing purposes.

  • Transfers and disbursements:

    • SOS transfers fundraising donations from plate sales to the State Treasurer, who credits them to the Fund.
    • The State Treasurer must disburse Fund money quarterly to the Michigan Pet Alliance.

  • Fees and start‑up:

    • Under existing provisions applicable to fundraising plates, applicants must submit a plate donation ($25 for a new plate; $10 for renewal) and a $10 service fee in addition to regular registration taxes.
    • SOS may require an initial start‑up fee (statute sets this as a three‑year average of SOS’ cost to develop a new plate). Legislative fiscal notes estimate the upfront design/production cost for a new specialty plate averages roughly $90,000; that start‑up cost is expected to be provided by the sponsoring organization (MPA) before issuance begins.

Who is affected
- Motor vehicle registrants who opt to purchase the specialty plate (voluntary contribution via donation).
- Michigan Pet Alliance and its member shelters/rescues (recipient of quarterly disbursements).
- Secretary of State and State Treasurer (administration, transfers, fund investment, auditing).
- Transportation funds are unaffected by the donation (regular vehicle registration tax continues to flow to the Michigan Transportation Fund; service fees to the Transportation Administration Collection Fund).

Fiscal impact
- State fiscal note: minimal ongoing state cost; one‑time start‑up costs (design/production) estimated at roughly $90,000 to be paid by MPA. Plate sale donations provide direct revenue to MPA via the Fund; regular registration tax receipts and routine SOS costs are largely unaffected and absorbable within current appropriations.

Practical effect
- Establishes a new voluntary fundraising option for vehicle owners to support spay/neuter and related companion‑animal welfare activities, with transparent fund management and quarterly distributions to the designated nonprofit.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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