MEMORIAL HIGHWAYS - S.B. 615 (S-1), 685 (S-1), & 705 (S-1): FIRST ANALYSIS
Senate Bill 615 (Substitute S-1 as enrolled)
Senate Bill 685 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)
Senate Bill 705 (Substitute S-1 as passed by the Senate)
Sponsor: Senator Valde Garcia (Senate Bill 615)
Senator Thaddeus G. McCotter (Senate Bill 685)
Senator Bill Schuette (Senate Bill 705)
Committee: Transportation and Tourism
Date Completed: 11-20-01
RATIONALE
Periodically, stretches of highway are renamed to memorialize prominent Michigan residents or to commemorate historical events. Because of their impact on State residents and/or national history, it has been suggested that portions of highway be renamed for Gary Priess, a Dewitt Township police officer killed in the line of duty; the 94th Infantry Division, a World War II unit first activated for service at Fort Custer, Michigan; and all American veterans.
CONTENT
Senate Bills 615 (S-1), 685 (S-1), and 705 (S-1) would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to rename portions of highways in honor of an individual or group.
Senate Bill 615 (S-1) would name a portion of the US-127 highway the "Gary Priess Memorial Highway". The portion would begin at the Ingham County/Clinton County border and extend north to the Price Road exit in Clinton County.
Senate Bill 685 (S-1) would name the portion of I-94 in Calhoun County between exit 92 and the M-66 exit the "94th Combat Infantry Division Memorial Highway".
Senate Bill 705 (S-1) would name the portion of US-10 between Scottville and Ludington the "Veterans Memorial Highway".
(Under the Act, markers indicating the new names of the highways are installed only when enough private contributions are raised to pay for them.)
Proposed MCL 250.1068 (Senate Bill 615)
MCL 250.1064 (Senate Bill 685)
MCL 250.1075 (Senate Bill 705)
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
The three bills would provide recognition for certain citizens of Michigan who, at sacrifice to themselves, served their community or nation. Enacting highway markers is a fitting way to remind thousands of drivers about these people and their contributions.
Under Senate Bill 615 (S-1), Officer Gary Priess would be memorialized. Officer Priess was a Dewitt Township police officer whose car was struck by a semi-truck while he conducted a traffic stop. He served for 18 years on the Dewitt Township force and was a much-loved member of the community: Nearly 1,000 people attended his funeral. He was a husband and father of two children. In response to his death and others like it, a law was enacted last year to protect police officers and other emergency workers who work on the shoulders of busy roadways. Under Public Act 458 of 2000, cars or trucks approaching an emergency or police vehicle on the side of the road must move over one lane or, if unable to safely do so, cautiously pass the vehicle.
Senate Bill 685 (S-1) would ensure that the 94th Infantry Division was recognized and remembered. This division was first activated for World War II duty at Fort Custer, Michigan. The 94th Infantry went on to liberate Blain, France, and bottled up the Nazi holdout garrisons at Lorient and St. Nazaire, France. The 94th Infantry was reported to be General Patton's favorite infantry division.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 705 (S-1), veterans of all wars would be acknowledged. Rather than single out one war, branch, or unit, veterans of Mason County (where the portion of US-10 is located) would prefer to have all those who served in the armed forces equally recognized under one memorial highway name.
- Legislative Analyst: C. Layman
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have no fiscal impact on State government. Private funds required for the cost of the markers would depend on the size of the markers. Per-marker costs, including installation, could range from $820 to $1,090.
- Fiscal Analyst: B. BowermanA0102\s615a
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.