AG EQUIPMENT EXEMPTION                                                                          H.B. 5945:

                                                                               SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

House Bill 5945 (as passed by the House)

Sponsor:  Representative Donna Lasinski

House Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Senate Committee:  Transportation

Date Completed:  12-12-18

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to exempt agricultural vehicles from a local ordinance or resolution that prohibits trucks or commercial vehicles on designated highways or streets.

The Code allows local authorities and county road commissions, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, except State trunk line highways, by ordinance or resolution, to prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles on designated highways or streets.

Under the bill, an ordinance or resolution described above would not apply to a vehicle that was used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or a combination of these items, to or from a farm or as necessary for agricultural production.

MCL 257.756                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Nathan Leaman

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a minimal impact, if any, on the State and local units of government. By exempting agricultural vehicles from local restrictions on commercial trucks and/or weight limits, fewer citations for civil infractions could be issued. Revenue from civil infractions can take the form of fines, costs, and assessments, and is distributed to a variety of areas. Fines and costs for local ordinance violations would stay with the local unit of government that enforced the ordinance, while revenue for assessments will go to the Justice System Fund, which is distributed to the State Police, Judiciary, Legislature, Corrections, Treasury, and Health and Human Services. Distributions from the Justice System Fund to these Departments exceeded $50 million for FYs 2015-16 and 2016-17.

It is not known how much revenue would be lost under the bill, but it is expected to be minimal.

                                                                                  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.