MSP TROOPER O'NEILL MEM. HWY.                                                                  S.B. 960:

                                                                          ANALYSIS AS PASSED BY THE SENATE

 

 

 

 

Senate Bill 960 (as passed by the Senate)

Sponsor:  Senator Peter MacGregor

Committee:  Transportation

 

Date Completed:  10-30-18

 

RATIONALE

 

Trooper Timothy J. O'Neill, a member of the Motor Unit, died in a traffic accident on September 20, 2017. Trooper O'Neill served as a State Trooper at the Rockford, MI, post for three years. He was the 53rd Michigan State Police officer to die in the line of duty. In recognition of his service, it has been suggested that a portion of Highway M-44 in Kent County be named after Trooper O'Neill.

 

CONTENT

 

The bill would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of Highway M-44 in Kent County beginning at the intersection of Highway M-44 and Rogue River Road and extending northeast to the intersection of Highway M-44 and Belding Road as the "Michigan State Trooper Timothy O'Neill Memorial Highway".

 

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

 

Proposed MCL 250.1021a

 

BACKGROUND

 

Trooper Timothy J. O'Neill joined the Michigan State Police in 2014, after graduating as a member of the 126th Trooper Recruit School. Trooper O'Neill served at the Rockford Post and became a member of the Motor Unit in May 2017. On September 20, 2017, while riding his Department motorcycle in Plainfield Township, he was involved in a crash and suffered fatal injuries.

 

ARGUMENTS

 

(Please note:  The arguments contained in this analysis originate from sources outside the Senate Fiscal Agency.  The Senate Fiscal Agency neither supports nor opposes legislation.)

 

Supporting Argument

Naming a highway after Trooper O'Neill would be a fitting way to commemorate his service, and his memory.

 

                                                                             Legislative Analyst:  Tyler VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

 

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

 

                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:  Michael Siracuse

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.