December 29, 2004

LANSING – A three-bill package designed to help communities dispose of abandoned vehicles has been signed into law by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. The new laws streamline procedures for clearing away abandoned or junk cars, direct the Secretary of State to notify drivers about the new abandoned vehicle law, and allow police officers to ticket abandoned vehicles as litter.

"Abandoned cars are blight on neighborhoods and communities and a safety hazard," Granholm said. "These new laws help us more efficiently remove abandoned cars and designate the Secretary of State as the department responsible for notifying abandoned car owners – taking a tremendous administrative weight off law enforcement agencies, so police officers can focus on more serious crime."

Granholm added that under the new laws, police officers will still be required to run a stolen vehicle check on abandoned cars and provide any information to the Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN).

Under the new laws, police will no longer be required to place a sticker on cars they suspect have been abandoned alongside the road. The law also allows local government to contract for the removal of abandoned vehicles without requiring police involvement.

The main law in the three-bill package, House Bill 4231 (Public Act 495 of 2004), was sponsored by Rep. James Koetje (R-Walker). The law takes effect on October 1, 2005.

Rep. Ken Daniels (D-Detroit) authored the new law, House Bill 5364 (Public Act 493 of 2004) which requires the Secretary of State’s Office to notify drivers for one year about the new civil fines and sanctions associated with abandoning a vehicle. This law takes effect on October 1, 2005.

Sen. Gerald Van Woerkoem (R-Norton Shores) authored the new law that allows police officers to ticket abandoned vehicles as litter. Under Senate Bill 1171 (Public Act 494 of 2004), violators are subject to fines up to $2,500 for the first offense and up to $5,000 for repeat offenses.

This law will take effect immediately.