2014 House Bill 5414 / Public Act 250

Reduce, then end “driver responsibility fees”

Introduced in the House

March 18, 2014

Introduced by Rep. Joseph Haveman (R-90)

To reduce the so-called “driver responsibility fees” (a.k.a. “bad driver tax”) imposed for certain traffic violations, which were originally adopted in 2003 to avoid spending cuts in that year’s and subsequent state budgets. The bill would cut these additional fees in half for offenses committed after Sept. 30, 2014, and abolish them as of Oct. 1, 2017. Reportedly, thousands of mostly low-income individuals have lost their licenses due to inability to pay these penalties.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

May 14, 2014

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

May 21, 2014

Amendment offered by Rep. Sam Singh (D-69)

To establish as "the intent of the legislature" that $8.5 million will be appropriated to a state "fire protection fund" each year starting in 2017.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 108 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

May 27, 2014

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

June 12, 2014

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To gradually phase out the so-called “driver responsibility fees” (a.k.a. “bad driver tax”) imposed for certain traffic violations, which were originally adopted in 2003 to avoid spending cuts in that year’s and subsequent state budgets. The fees for most offenses would be abolished as of Oct. 1, 2019. Reportedly, thousands of mostly low-income individuals have lost their licenses due to inability to pay these penalties. Senate Bill 633 would authorize doing "community service" as an alternative in many cases..

Received in the House

June 12, 2014

Passed in the House 110 to 0 (details)

To concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

June 21, 2014