2003 Senate Bill 509 / Public Act 165

Impose "driver responsibility fees"

Introduced in the Senate

May 21, 2003

Introduced by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-25)

To assess an annual $100 driver responsibility fee (or "bad driver fee") on individuals who accumulate seven or more points on their driving record within a two-year period. For each additional point above this amount an additional fee of $50 would be assessed. Higher fees would be assessed for certain very serious driving infractions, such as manslaughter, drunk driving, or fleeing police. In addition, a motorist who fails to produce his or her proof of insurance form when requested by a police officer would be assessed $300. The proposed fees would go to the state general fund, and are expected to generate approximately $70 million a year.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation

May 27, 2003

Reported without amendment

May 28, 2003

Amendment offered

To incorporate technical wording changes which clarify but do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.

The amendment passed by voice vote

June 3, 2003

Amendment offered by Sen. Burton Leland (D-5)

To allow a person who has four or more points on their driving record, and who gets a ticket that would add three points and thereby trigger the new fines proposed by the bill, to agree to undergo a driver improvement course. Completion of the course would cause the points to be waived, and the proposed new fines avoided. An individual would be allowed to choose this option only one time.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

To assess a number of very expensive "driver responsibility fees" on individuals who accumulate seven or more "points" within a two-year period, and for other specified infractions. In addition, a motorist who fails to produce his or her proof of insurance form when requested by a police officer would be assessed $300. This is one of many bills authorizing tax and fee increases proposed to close a gap between state spending and expected revenue. This is one of many bills authorizing tax and fee increases proposed to close a gap between state spending and expected revenue.

Received in the House

June 3, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Appropriations

June 10, 2003

Reported without amendment

Recommended that the bill be referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation

June 26, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

July 2, 2003

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one which would use $6.3 million of the new fees to pay local governments for fire protection services provided to state buildings.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Gene DeRossett (R-52)

To establish that the bill will go into effect on Oct. 1, 2003 if passed.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Mike Nofs (R-62)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one which would use $3 million of the new fees to pay local governments for fire protection services provided to state buildings once $65 million total had been generated, and additional money for this purpose after $100 million in fees had been taken.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 64 to 45 (details)

To assess a number of very expensive "driver responsibility fees" on individuals who accumulate seven or more "points" within a two-year period, and for other specified infractions. In addition, a motorist who fails to produce his or her proof of insurance form when requested by a police officer would be assessed $300. This is one of many bills authorizing tax and fee increases proposed to close a gap between state spending and expected revenue.

Received in the Senate

July 3, 2003

July 15, 2003

Amendment offered by Sen. Burton Leland (D-5)

To allow a person who has four or more points on their driving record, and who gets a ticket that would add three points and thereby trigger the new fines proposed by the bill, to agree to undergo a driver improvement course. Completion of the course would cause the points to be waived, and the proposed new fines avoided. An individual would be allowed to choose this option only one time.

The amendment failed 14 to 21 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Jud Gilbert (R-25)

To add an assessment for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the Senate 32 to 4 (details)

To concur with the House version of the bill, which does not include the provision allowing a driver subject to the fees the option to choose to undergo a driver improvement course to avoid them. The House version also reserves some of the fee revenue from the fees to pay local governments for fire protection services provided to state buildings.

Received in the House

July 15, 2003

July 16, 2003

Passed in the House 67 to 40 (details)

To concur with an amended Senate-passed version of the bill, which adds an assessment for driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

Aug. 13, 2003