2008 House Bill 5884: Phase out “driver responsibility fees”

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Introduced by Rep. Edward Gaffney (R) on March 12, 2008, to phase out over a five year period the “driver responsibility fees” (“bad driver fees”) that are assessed for various violations. Reportedly these very expensive fees (which were adopted in 2003to raise revenue so as avoid spending cuts in that year’s and subsequent state government budgets) have caused many people to lose their drivers licenses and become unemployable.
- Referred to the House Transportation Committee on March 12, 2008.

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1) Repeal Now by Anonymous Citizen on April 11, 2008
I have nightmares thinking about the despicable essence of this law - the economic and psychological hardships falling upon those least able to pay the EXTRA fees imposed upon citizens. To suspend one's driver's license is a serious consequence to endure. This is a severe hardship and removes in many cases the ability to obtain employment and also has long term consequences which interfere with the ability to obtain affordable auto insurance. The extra fines also lead to more fines (Driver's License reinstatement fee $125). I have seen the Gestapo DEMAND LETTERS from the Michigan Department of Treasury which show absolute contempt for the citizen caught up in this debacle. NO- you cannot pay with a credit card. NO - you cannot appeal for hardship. And NO - you cannot pay both the first year and the second year of the fee and also NO you cannot pay in installments unless the fee is over $500. NO, NO, NO! The draconian nature of this law should not be tolerated and has been criticized by judges and others who have testified about the severe nature of its implementation. Yet, we continue to impose it after 5 long years and after other states such as New Jersey and Virginia and Texas have modified or repealed similar laws. This shows the callous nature of legislators as to the hardships citizens endure and the disregard for the plight of Michigan residents who are enduring other economic hardships on top of this one.
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2) Why by Anonymous Citizen on March 22, 2008
five years. NOW!!
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3) 2008 House Bill 5884 (Phase out “driver responsibility fees” ) by admin on January 1, 2001
Introduced in the House on March 12, 2008

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