2017 House Bill 5040 / 2018 Public Act 43

“Bad driver tax” repeal and amnesty

Introduced in the House

Sept. 28, 2017

Introduced by Rep. Lee Chatfield (R-107)

To repeal the “driver responsibility fees” (“bad driver tax”) that are assessed for various violations and must be paid for two consecutive years, effective Sept. 30, 2018. The bill would also clear any outstanding liability an individual may have to pay these fees. These very expensive fees were originally <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2003-SB-509">adopted in 2003</a> to increase state revenue collections.

Referred to the Committee on Michigan Competitiveness

Oct. 19, 2017

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Nov. 1, 2017

Amendment offered by Rep. Andy Schor (D-68)

To earmark some money collected from these fees in the 2018 fiscal year to fire protection grants to local governments.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Nov. 2, 2017

Passed in the House 103 to 5 (details)

Received in the Senate

Nov. 7, 2017

Referred to the Committee on Michigan Competitiveness

Feb. 1, 2018

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Feb. 14, 2018

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

To repeal the “driver responsibility fees” that are assessed for various traffic violations in addition to the fine for the violation itself. The bill would go into effect on Sept. 30, 2018, and would also clear any outstanding liability an individual may have to pay these fees, and allow reinstatement of drivers licenses suspended for non-payment. These very expensive fees were originally adopted in 2003 to increase state revenue collections.

Received in the House

Feb. 14, 2018

Passed in the House 109 to 0 (details)

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

March 1, 2018