House committee refers bill to let nurse practitioners sign disability placard forms to Rules

The House Transportation Committee on reconvening advanced House Bill 5644, a bill that would add nurse practitioners to the list of medical professionals authorized to sign disability placard applications, referring the measure to the Committee on Rules by unanimous vote.

Sponsor and context

Sponsor Chair Altman told the committee HB 5644 "restores the ability for nurse practitioners to determine when a person is disabled and sign an application for a handicap windshield placard," describing the measure as a fix for what he called a statutory oversight that had practical consequences for patients.

Why the bill was introduced

Nick Andary of the Michigan Department of State told the committee an Office of the Auditor General review found that subsection 22 of MCL 257675 does not explicitly list nurse practitioners among eligible signers. MDOS legal counsel then advised that, effective Feb. 3, 2026, the department could no longer accept nurse practitioner signatures because the statute did not explicitly authorize them. "This is a legal decision based on how the current law is written and MDOS is required to follow the current law," Andary told the committee.

Testimony on patient impacts

Patrick Crane of the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners described operational impacts: nurse practitioners statewide were told they could no longer complete the forms, creating backlogs and forcing some patients to schedule visits with physicians or specialists, sometimes triggering additional copays and time costs. "This unfortunate oversight in statute is causing unnecessary delays, roadblocks and many frustrations," Crane said.

Committee response and action

Committee members asked clarifying questions about whether the change would affect welfare eligibility (Representative Kara) and about the origin of the statutory language (Representative Koontz). MDOS and witnesses said the issue appears to be a drafting oversight and that other advanced practice providers were listed while NPs were omitted.

The committee voted to refer HB 5644 to the Committee on Rules; the clerk announced 17 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass.

What happens next

Referral to the Committee on Rules is a procedural step that positions the bill for possible scheduling on the House floor. If Rules approves, the bill could move to a floor vote; the transcript records no legislative amendment or final enactment.

The committee adjourned after completing business for the day.