HOUSE BILL No. 5496

 

October 1, 2009, Introduced by Reps. Wayne Schmidt, Sheltrown and Mayes and referred to the Committee on Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources.

 

     A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled

 

"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"

 

by amending sections 82105 and 82113 (MCL 324.82105 and 324.82113),

 

section 82105 as amended by 2008 PA 399 and section 82113 as

 

amended by 1998 PA 297.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 82105. (1) Before operating a snowmobile requiring

 

registration in this state, the owner shall apply for registration

 

with the department of state on forms provided by the department of

 

state. If the snowmobile was purchased from a retail dealer in this

 

state, application for initial registration shall be made with the

 

dealer at the point of sale. The dealer shall issue a temporary

 

registration permit in a form received from and approved by the


 

department of state that is valid for 15 days after the date of

 

sale. Each retail dealer shall submit applications for

 

registrations and fees to the department of state not less than

 

once each week. The application shall include the new owner's

 

signature, and, beginning July 1, 2009, the new owner's name, and

 

bona fide residence address and the names and addresses of holders

 

of any security interest in the snowmobile and its accessories in

 

the order of priority. The application shall be accompanied by a

 

fee of $22.00 if paid before July 1, 2009 or $30.00. if paid on or

 

after July 1, 2009. Upon receipt of the application in approved

 

form, the department of state shall enter the application upon its

 

records and issue to the applicant a certificate of registration

 

and decal. The certificate of registration shall contain the number

 

awarded to the snowmobile, the name and address of the owner, other

 

information the department of state considers necessary, and,

 

beginning July 1, 2009, the name and address of the holders of

 

secured interests. A person shall not operate a snowmobile that is

 

required to be registered in this state unless the person possesses

 

the certificate of registration in legible form. The person shall

 

make the certificate of registration available for inspection upon

 

demand by a peace officer.

 

     (2) If the secretary of state is not satisfied as to the

 

ownership of a snowmobile that is worth more than $2,500.00, before

 

registering the snowmobile and issuing a certificate of

 

registration, the secretary of state may require the applicant to

 

file a properly executed surety bond in a form prescribed by the

 

secretary of state and executed by the applicant and a company


 

authorized to conduct a surety business in this state. The bond

 

shall be in an amount equal to twice the value of the snowmobile as

 

determined by the secretary of state and shall be conditioned to

 

indemnify or reimburse the secretary of state, any prior owner, and

 

any subsequent purchaser of the snowmobile and their successors in

 

interest against any expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable

 

attorney fees, incurred as a result of the issuance of a

 

certificate of registration for the snowmobile or any defect in the

 

right, title, or interest of the applicant in the snowmobile. An

 

interested person has a right of action to recover on the bond for

 

a breach of the conditions of the bond, but the aggregate liability

 

of the surety to all persons shall not exceed the amount of the

 

bond. The bond shall be returned at the end of 3 years, or before 3

 

years if the snowmobile is no longer registered in this state and

 

the current valid certificate of registration is surrendered to the

 

secretary of state, unless the secretary of state has received

 

notification of the pendency of an action to recover on the bond.

 

If the secretary of state is not satisfied as to the ownership of a

 

snowmobile that is worth $2,500.00 or less, the secretary of state

 

shall require the applicant to certify that the applicant is the

 

owner of the snowmobile and entitled to register the snowmobile.

 

     (3) The Subject to subsection (4), the certificate of

 

registration and registration decal authorizes the operation of the

 

snowmobile for a 3-year period that begins on October 1 and expires

 

on September 30 of the third year. The certificate of registration

 

and registration decal may be renewed beginning July 1 of the

 

expiration year by payment of a fee of $22.00 before July 1, 2009


 

or $30.00. on or after July 1, 2009. The registration decal shall

 

be displayed as prescribed by rule promulgated by the department of

 

state.

 

     (4) A certificate of registration and registration decal

 

issued to a state, county, or municipal law enforcement agency more

 

than 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory act that

 

added this subsection does not expire.

 

     (5) (4) The department of state may destroy a record of a

 

certificate of registration 7 years after expiration of the

 

certificate.

 

     Sec. 82113. (1) The owner of a snowmobile having been issued a

 

certificate of registration for the snowmobile shall affix to each

 

side of the forward half of the cowl above the footwell of the

 

snowmobile the registration decal assigned to that snowmobile. The

 

registration decal shall be as prescribed by the department.

 

Beginning July 1, 1999Subject to subsection (2), the registration

 

decal shall include the registration expiration date. and . The

 

registration decal shall also include the registration number, and

 

which shall contain 2 letters and 4 numbers. The letters and

 

numbers shall contrast with the background so as to be distinctly

 

visible and legible. A number other than the number awarded to the

 

snowmobile on the registration certificate, or granted reciprocity

 

under this part, shall not be attached or otherwise displayed on

 

the snowmobile.

 

     (2) Registration decals issued to state, county, and municipal

 

law enforcement agencies more than 180 days after the effective

 

date of the amendatory act that added this subsection shall not


 

include a registration expiration date but shall include the words

 

"law enforcement", be black in background color, and otherwise be

 

of uniform design and size.

 

     (3) (2) Not earlier than 90 days before the expiration date of

 

a certificate, a registration decal or other device may be issued

 

indicating that the certificate of registration is in full force

 

and effect.

 

     (4) (3) A certificate of registration shall expire expires

 

pursuant to section 82105.

 

     (5) (4) The department of state may award a certificate of

 

number directly or may authorize a person to act as its agent for

 

the awarding of a certificate of number.