COUNTIES:  UNIFORM TRAFFIC CODE

House Bill 5598

Sponsor:  Rep. Dale Zorn

Committee:  Local, Intergovernmental, and Regional Affairs

Complete to 5-16-12

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5598 AS INTRODUCED 5-3-12

Public Act 62 of 1956 enables the Department of State Police to promulgate a uniform traffic code, and then authorizes cities, townships, and villages to adopt that uniform code (and any amendments) by reference.   House Bill 5598 would amend the act to also allow counties to adopt the state uniform traffic code. 

Now under the law, the uniform traffic code that is adopted need not be published in full; however, a copy of the code must be available for inspection by the public at the office of the city, township, or village clerk.  House Bill 5598 would also require that a copy of the code be available for public inspection at the office of the county clerk.

Now under the law, a civil fine imposed for a violation of a code or ordinance regulating the operation of a commercial vehicle adopted by a city, township, or village must be paid to the county treasurer, and then allocated 70 percent to the city, township, or village in which the citation is issued and 30 percent for library purposes as provided by law.  House Bill 5598 would extend this distribution to include counties.  Under the bill, 70 percent of the fines collected would have to be allocated by the county treasurer to the "county, city, township, or village in which the citation is issued."

Currently under the law, a city, township, or village can, with the consent of a parking lot owner (of either a public or private lot), contract with the owner so the city, township, or village can enforce provisions of the uniform traffic code in the lot.  House Bill 5598 would also allow a county to contract with a parking lot owner to ensure enforcement of traffic laws in the parking lot.

 MCL 257.951 et al

FISCAL IMPACT:

A fiscal analysis is in process.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault     

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.