I just wanted to take a moment to thank the bill sponsors as well as the Department of State for working on this really important compromise. The bills that we are voting on now support the current model that the Secretary of State is using that provides certainty to residents, offers same-day, in-person service, and gets everyone out of offices in about 20 minutes.
I visited a branch office on Mack in my district on Friday and saw that things were working efficiently and wanted to make sure that we recognize the hard work of our Secretary of State branch offices. Anyone who’s ever taken a number and then anxiously watched and waited as their lunch hour expired or had to spend sometimes an hour or multiple hours should be really happy about this enhanced service. This language supports this compromise. Branch offices are open. Residents can walk up and be served immediately if there is an opening or a cancellation, can be advised of a kiosk nearby if business can be addressed at one of those, or be given the option to wait or come back. They can also be assisted in person in scheduling a return visit, many times for the next day. This legislation took guidance from the Secretary of State on extending the expirations and waiving late fees on a rolling basis to prevent even more backlog.
The one thing I do think we also need to address is the backlog we created with previous extensions that were all pinned to March 31st of this year. The Secretary of State is making a lot of progress on this, but we could really use some support to make it faster for our residents with this important funding.
Senate Bill No. 508, entitled
A bill to amend 2008 PA 23, entitled “Enhanced driver license and enhanced official state personal identification card act,” by amending sections 4 and 6 (MCL 28.304 and 28.306), section 4 as amended by 2020 PA 305 and section 6 as amended by 2020 PA 374.
The House of Representatives has substituted (H-5) the bill.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill as substituted (H-5), ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.202, the bill be laid over one day,
Senator Lauwers moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on concurring in the substitute made to the bill by the House,
The substitute was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows: