Merchant Marine license plate legislation signed into law in Michigan

What started as Michigan House Bill No. 4723 was signed into law on September 10, 2024. The Navigation, Engineering, and Legislative Committee (NELC) of the International Ship Masters’ Association (ISMA), chaired by Capt. Scott Skrzypczak, is responsible for the success of this legislation. With the passage of this bill, a special license plate will soon be created for U.S. Merchant Mariners who are residents of Michigan.

HOUSE BILL NO. 4723

A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” (MCL 257.1 to 257.923) by adding section 803s.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 803s. (1) An individual who was or is a member, or an individual whose spouse was or is a member, of the United States Merchant Marine may apply to the secretary of state for a special registration plate that displays an appropriate vignette preceding the registration numbers and has the words “Merchant Marine” inscribed beneath the registration numbers.

(2) The application for a special registration plate must be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state and accompanied by any proof of the applicant or applicant’s spouse being or having been a member of the United States Merchant Marine that the secretary of state may require. The application for a special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804.

(3) Upon proper application, the secretary of state shall issue 1 or more special registration plates under this section for each applicant for use on a passenger vehicle. An individual who is a disabled person and applies for a special registration plate under this section must be issued a tab for persons with disabilities as provided in section 803h for the applicant’s special registration plate. The secretary of state shall require the same proof that the applicant is a disabled person as is required for issuance of a permanent windshield placard under section 675. An individual issued 1 or more special registration plates under subsection (1) must be assessed the applicable tax provided in section 801.

(4) The use of a special registration plate issued under this section on a vehicle other than the vehicle for which the plate is issued, or by a person who does not qualify under this section, is a misdemeanor.

(5) The special registration plate issued under this section expires on the birthday of the vehicle owner. When new plates are issued by the secretary of state, application for renewal of the special registration plate must not require a service fee under section 804. The applicant is not required to furnish the proof provided in subsection (2).

(6) As used in this section, “member of the United States Merchant Marine” means an individual who holds a past or present Merchant Mariner license or credential issued by the United States Coast Guard.