The bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to clarify the process for acquiring a vehicle title when ownership passes by operation of law, particularly in the event of the owner's death. It allows the person acquiring the vehicle to obtain a title regardless of whether a certificate of title has been previously issued, provided they furnish satisfactory proof of ownership to the Secretary of State. The bill specifies that the license plate assigned to the vehicle remains valid until the end of the registration year or until the personal representative of the owner's estate transfers ownership. Additionally, it allows the owner's next of kin to renew the vehicle registration under certain conditions, including limitations on the number of renewals and the time frame for renewal after the owner's death.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the process for surviving spouses or heirs to apply for a title if the deceased owner did not leave other property requiring the issuance of letters under the estates and protected individuals code. The application must include proof of the owner's death and a certification of the applicant's status as a surviving spouse or heir. The Secretary of State will issue a certificate of title if the total value of the vehicle(s) does not exceed specified dollar amounts, which are adjusted annually based on the cost-of-living index. The bill also defines key terms, including the "cost-of-living adjustment factor" and the "United States Consumer Price Index," to ensure clarity in the application of these provisions.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 257.236