Vehicles: registration plates; service or conflict registration plate and disabled veteran tab; allow certain disabled veterans to request and the secretary of state to issue. Amends sec. 803f of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.803f).
Summary
House Bill 4681 amends section 803f of the Michigan Vehicle Code to expand and clarify the special registration plate options available to disabled veterans. Under the bill, a qualifying disabled veteran with an honorable discharge and a privately owned passenger vehicle may receive either a dedicated “DV” disabled veteran plate or a service/conflict plate with a DV adhesive tab. The bill also preserves the existing framework for eligibility based on VA disability ratings or military disability retirement pay, and it continues to allow a disabled veteran to obtain a free persons-with-disabilities tab for the plate when applicable.
The bill further specifies how these plates and tabs are renewed, who may continue to use them after the veteran’s death, and what proof is required at initial application versus renewal. It maintains the exemption from certain service fees for applications and renewals, and it keeps the tax exemption for plates issued to totally disabled veterans. The measure also defines “private passenger motor vehicle” and “service or conflict registration plate” for purposes of the section, and it makes misuse of the plate or disability tab a misdemeanor.
Impact
HB4681 would amend Michigan law governing disabled veteran registration plates by broadening the statutory authorization to include either a dedicated disabled veteran plate or a DV adhesive tab on certain service or conflict plates. It affects the Secretary of State’s issuance and renewal procedures, fee exemptions, tax treatment for totally disabled veterans, and the rules allowing surviving spouses to continue using qualifying plates. The bill primarily impacts disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and the Secretary of State’s vehicle registration administration.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears generally supportive of disabled veterans and is framed as a benefit/administrative clarification bill rather than a controversial policy change. No committee transcript or recorded vote information was provided, so there is no evidence of opposition or divided sentiment in the available materials. The overall tone of the legislation is favorable toward expanding access to veteran-related plate options and preserving existing fee and renewal benefits.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are administrative and eligibility-related rather than ideological: which veterans qualify for the different plate options, what proof is required, and how the Secretary of State will implement the new adhesive-tab option alongside existing plate types. The bill also distinguishes between totally disabled and partially disabled veterans, and it limits surviving-spouse continuation rights to cases involving veterans with at least a 50% service-connected disability rating. No specific objections, amendments, or opposing arguments are included in the available record.
Vehicles: registration plates; individuals who served in the NOAACOC or USPHSCC; include in the definition of veteran and provide special registration plates for. Amends sec. 310 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.310) & adds secs. 803v & 803w.
Vehicles: registration plates; special registration plates for active duty military members; provide for. Amends sec. 803i of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.803i).
Vehicles: registration plates; special registration plates for Operation Inherent Resolve; provide for. Amends 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.1 - 257.923) by adding sec. 803v.