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HB 4984

Traffic control: driver license; option to decline voter registration on a driver license application; clarify. Amends sec. 307 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.307).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Joey Andrews and 21 co-sponsors

HB 4984 limits citizenship and decline fields on driver license applications to automatic voter registration, aligning forms with AVR and guiding SOS and local clerks.

assigned PA 260'23
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Bill Summary · HB 4984

Summary — HB 4984 (Public Act 260 of 2023)

Title: Traffic control: driver license; option to decline voter registration on a driver license application; clarify. (Amends MCL 257.307)

Main purpose

HB 4984 clarifies how citizenship and voter‑registration opt‑out fields on operator/chauffeur license applications may be used. It restricts use of those fields to automatic voter registration (AVR) transactions only, aligning driver license application forms with Michigan’s automatic voter registration process.

Key provisions

  • Amends section 307 of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.307).
  • Requires that driver’s license / chauffeur’s license applications include:
    • A space (used only for AVR transactions) for the applicant to indicate U.S. citizenship.
    • A space (used only for AVR transactions) for the applicant to indicate that they decline to use the application as a voter registration application.
  • Explicitly limits the use of the citizenship and “decline” sections to automatic voter registration transactions authorized under Michigan Election Law (see MCL 168.493a(6)).
  • Leaves other application requirements (identity, residency, documentation for non‑citizens, notices about use of residence address for voter registration, etc.) intact.

Who is affected

  • Applicants for Michigan operator’s and chauffeur’s licenses (including renewals and change‑of‑address transactions) — forms will continue to include the citizenship and decline fields but their use is limited to AVR.
  • Secretary of State (SOS) — must implement forms and use those fields only for AVR transactions.
  • Local election officials/municipal clerks — affected indirectly insofar as AVR registrations processed by SOS will follow clarified form procedures.
  • Related state agencies and programs involved in AVR (in companion legislation) may be affected by implementation mechanics.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • The bill itself is procedural and form‑related. However, as enacted with companion AVR legislation (HB 4983 and others), the broader package may produce indeterminate costs:
    • Department of State: ongoing administrative costs for processing AVR transactions and required mailings; potential staff additions (average FY 2023–24 salary & benefits for one classified civil service employee ≈ $140,000).
    • Mailing costs associated with AVR notices estimated at roughly $0.66 per parcel (actual total depends on volume).
    • Other state departments could incur costs if designated as AVR agencies and required to transmit registration data to SOS.

Timeline / procedural status

  • Introduced in the House: September 14, 2023.
  • Passed House: October 4, 2023 (immediate effect motion).
  • Passed Senate: November 2, 2023.
  • Approved by Governor: November 30, 2023.
  • Filed with Secretary of State: December 1, 2023 — Assigned Public Act No. 260 of 2023.
  • Effective date: June 30, 2025.

Relationship to other legislation

  • HB 4984 was considered as part of a package (HB 4983–4986) that together modify Michigan’s automatic voter registration procedures and related forms and processes. HB 4984 is tie‑barred to HB 4983 (the principal AVR changes). HB 4983 contains the substantive AVR expansions and reporting/administrative provisions; HB 4984 confines specific driver‑license form fields to AVR use.

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

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