Plan would eliminate fees for special honorary license plates

The state House has approved Rep. Bradley Slagh’s efforts to honor those who have served and are serving the U.S. in the armed forces.

Currently, anyone serving or who has previously served in the armed forces is eligible for a special designation vehicle license plate indicating either the branch of the armed services or the conflict in which they served. Blue Star and Gold Star families can obtain a special designation plate as well. Presently, there is an additional $5 fee on top of the normal vehicle registration fee to obtain one of these honorary plates. Slagh’s bill will eliminate that additional fee.

“This is a small way we can honor deserving veterans, families of veterans, and active-duty military personnel,” said Slagh, of Zeeland. “Charging our service men and women an extra fee so they can demonstrate their or their family member’s selfless service isn’t right and doesn’t truly reflect our state’s appreciation for their sacrifices. I will work to urge the Michigan Senate to act quickly on this legislation.”

Slagh also said that, according to the Office of the Secretary of State, eliminating this fee would result in a state revenue reduction of a little more than $70,000, a small price to pay to honor Michigan’s military personnel.

House Bill 5678 was approved overwhelmingly by the state House and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

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