Background: Licenses and registrations for professions regulated within the Occupational Code (PA 299 of 1980) expire on fixed dates and are valid for fixed periods. These fixed expiration dates become problematic for the men and women serving in military active duty combat status, as they can create undue hardships for people returning from service and wishing to return promptly to their regular professional careers.

Description of Bill: The bill would grant to an individual or qualifying officer licensed or registered under the Occupational Code, and serving in active duty combat status, a temporary exemption from renewal fees, continuing education requirements, and renewal procedures. The exemption would be valid until 90 days after the licensee’s or registrant’s release from active duty, but shall not exceed 36 months from the date of expiration of the license or registration.

Summary of Arguments

Pro: The men and women serving our country in active duty status will be positively impacted by this bill. This bill recognizes the difficulty military personnel experience when called to report to active duty (combat) status, as well as when they return home from such service. The lives of their families are turned upside down when one (or both) heads of the household are called away for active duty. Family business matters get put aside, cancelled, and often unknowingly neglected when a service person is whisked away into combat status. Family and personal business matters often accumulate until the service person returns home, and this often includes the renewal of driver licenses and professional licenses, among other things. This bill simply “buys time” for our active duty service personnel to get their home and professional lives in order.Currently, the Secretary of State provides for the temporary extension of driver licenses for military personnel serving in active status. This bill would allow the Department to provide a similar exemption for professional licenses.

Con: The Department is not aware of any argument against providing such an exemption.

Fiscal/Economic Impact

(a) Department

Budgetary: There will be minimal programming and administrative costs associated with this bill; costs the Department would recover utilizing its current budget.

Revenue: The bill would have no impact on revenue.

Comments: The minimal costs of reprogramming are well worth the benefits gained by our military personnel.

(b)State of Michigan

Budgetary: The bill would have no budgetary impact on the State.

Revenue: The bill would have no impact on revenue.

Comments: The minimal costs of reprogramming are well worth the benefits gained by our military personnel.

(c)Local Government

Comments: The position of local units of government is not known.

Other State Departments:
The bill does not impact other state departments.

Any Other Pertinent Information:
The Department supports this bill.

Administrative Rules Impact:
There is no impact on the administrative rules.