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HB 5127

Vehicles: registration plates; eligibility for disabled veteran registration plate; extend to partially disabled veterans. Amends sec. 803f of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.803f).

2023-2024 Regular Session Introduced by Abraham Aiyash and 19 co-sponsors

Expands eligibility for the disabled veteran plate to honorably discharged veterans with VA disability rating 50% or higher, with renewal rules and taxes noted.

assigned PA 149'24
#stateagencies(existing):state #vehicles:registrationplates #veterans:other
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Bill Summary · HB 5127

Summary — HB 5127 (Public Act 149 of 2024)

Purpose

To expand eligibility for Michigan’s “disabled veteran” special vehicle registration plate to certain partially disabled veterans, allowing more veterans to obtain the plate and its ancillary benefits (for example, access to State parks that accept the plate in lieu of a recreation passport).

Key provisions

  • Amends MCL 257.803f to permit honorably discharged veterans with a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) service‑connected disability rating of at least 50% to apply for the “DV / disabled veteran” special registration plate.
  • Application requirements:
    • Must use the form prescribed by the Secretary of State (SOS).
    • Must include proof of honorable discharge and the VA disability rating (≥50% for partially disabled applicants).
    • Initial application must not require the service fee under section 804.
  • Treatment of partially disabled plateholders:
    • A plate issued to a partially disabled veteran expires and is renewed as provided in section 226; the applicant is not required to resubmit proof of disability at renewal.
    • Partially disabled veterans are not entitled to the vehicle registration tax exemption that currently applies to totally disabled veterans (100% rating). They must pay applicable registration taxes.
    • Legislative analyses indicate renewal applications for partially disabled veterans likely remain subject to applicable service fees.
  • Surviving spouse:
    • The surviving spouse of a deceased disabled veteran with a VA rating of at least 50% and an honorable discharge may use and renew the disabled veteran plate under the same terms; the spouse must register the vehicle before using/renewing the plate.
  • Disability parking tab:
    • The SOS may issue an adhesive tab (displaying the wheelchair symbol) to plate recipients who qualify as disabled persons; tabs are issued free and renewed free when the plate is renewed.

Who is affected

  • Newly eligible: honorably discharged veterans with a VA service‑connected disability rating of 50% or higher (but less than total/100%).
  • Existing totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses: current benefits (including registration tax exemption for 100%/totally disabled) remain intact.
  • Secretary of State (administration of applications/renewals).
  • State revenue: minimal/no change expected because partially disabled veterans will pay registration taxes.

Fiscal impact

Nonpartisan fiscal analyses conclude no net fiscal loss to the Michigan Transportation Fund, since the new class of eligible veterans must pay registration taxes; any service‑fee treatment at renewal is not expected to meaningfully change revenues.

Procedural / timeline

  • Introduced: Oct. 11, 2023 (Rep. Mike McFall sponsor).
  • Passed House: May 21, 2024; Passed Senate: Oct. 8, 2024.
  • Approved by Governor: Oct. 29, 2024; filed with Secretary of State Oct. 29, 2024.
  • Enacted as Public Act 149 of 2024. Effective 90 days after enactment.

Note: Legislative materials also reference earlier/similar measures (e.g., SB 191, HB 5234 from 2019–2020).

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

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