Legislative Round-Up: Lt. Gov. Brian Calley Signs Bills Creating Organ Donor Awareness License Plates

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley signed legislation this week allowing for the creation of a fundraising license plate that encourages organ donation.

“Choosing to become an organ donor is a selfless decision that offers recipients renewed hope for the future,” Calley said in a press release. “I am pleased that these bills will raise awareness of this worthwhile cause and help save the lives of those in need across our great state.”

Under Senate Bill 534, sponsored by state Sen. John Gleason, the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office will determine the plate’s design. Money collected from plate sales will go to the Gift of Life Fund, which will support efforts to encourage people to join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry.

The cost of an original plate will be a $25 donation, a $10 service fee and the regular vehicle registration tax. When motorists renew the plate, they will pay $10 extra, which goes entirely to the fund.

“With 3,000 Michiganders currently on a waiting list for an organ, initiatives such as the new organ donor plate help raise awareness and provide life and hope for families,” Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said. “While we’re seeing results with almost 400,000 names added to the organ donor registry last year – a 25 percent increase – more needs to be done.”

More than 2.2 million residents in Michigan are registered organ donors. Michigan residents can join the Michigan Organ Donor Registry by visiting the Gift of Life Michigan’s website at www.giftoflifeMichigan.org and clicking on “become a donor,” at any Secretary of State branch office or online at www.michigan.gov/sos.

“Most would say life is short if you are wholesome and healthy,” Gleason said. “Organ failure drastically shortens quality and length of life. This plate will fill a longtime void."