SPEED LIMITS: TOWNSHIP INPUT - H.B. 4224 (H-2): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 4224 (Substitute H-2 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Representative Ruth Ann Jamnick

House Committee: Transportation

Senate Committee: Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to allow a county road commission, a township board, and the Director of the Department of State Police unanimously to establish a speed limit on a county highway.

Under the Code, the Director of the Michigan Department of State Police (MSP) and either the State Transportation Commission or, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, a county road commission, upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, may determine that the speed of vehicular traffic on a State trunk line or county highway is greater or less than is reasonable and safe at an intersection or other part of the highway, and may declare a reasonable and safe maximum or minimum speed limit for the specific location. The bill would retain this provision for highways under the jurisdiction of the State Transportation Commission, and add a separate provision for county highways.

Under the bill, the county road commission, the township board, and the MSP Director acting unanimously could establish a safe and reasonable minimum or maximum speed limit at an intersection or upon part of a county highway, if they unanimously determined, on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation, that the speed of traffic on a county highway was more or less than was reasonable and safe. As currently provided, the speed limit would be effective at the times determined when appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit were erected.

In addition, the bill would refer to a maximum speed limit of 70, instead of 65, miles per hour on all freeways except where the Michigan Department of Transportation designated a lower limit.

The bill is tie-barred to House Bill 4133, which would make generally the same changes but allow a township to opt-out of the process.

MCL 257.268 - Legislative Analyst: Julie Koval

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed: 6-24-03 - Fiscal Analyst: Craig Thiel

floor\hb4224 (H-2) - Analysis available @ http://www.michiganlegislature.org

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.