RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TRANSPORT H.B. 4781 (H-1):
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
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House Bill 4781 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Joel Sheltrown
House Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources
Senate Committee: Commerce and Tourism
Date Completed: 5-11-09
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to include park model trailers in provisions regarding the transport of mobile homes.
The bill would take on effect December 1, 2009, and is tie-barred to Senate Bill 363, which would create the "Recreational Vehicle Franchise Act".
Under the Code, every motor vehicle, pickup camper, trailer coach, trailer, semitrailer, and pole trailer, when driven or moved on a street or highway, is subject to the Code's registration and certificate of title provisions, with certain exceptions. House Bill 4781 (H-1) would refer to a "recreational vehicle", rather than a pickup camper and trailer coach.
"Recreational vehicle" would mean a new or used vehicle that has its own motive power or is towed by a motor vehicle; is designed primarily to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, travel, or seasonal use; complies with all applicable Federal vehicle regulations; and does not require a special mobile home highway movement permit to be operated or towed on a street or highway. The term would include a motor home, travel trailer, park model trailer that does not require a special mobile home highway movement permit, or pickup camper.
"Travel trailer" would mean a trailer coach, fifth wheel trailer, camping trailer, or other vehicle that is designed to be towed by a motor vehicle; is designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use; and does not require a special mobile home highway movement permit to be towed on a street or highway.
"Park model trailer" would mean a vehicle that meets all of the following:
-- Is built on a single chassis, mounted on wheels, and designed to be towed by a motor vehicle from time to time.
-- Depending on its size, may require a special mobile home highway movement permit to be towed on a street or highway.
-- Is designed to provide recreational seasonal or temporary living quarters.
-- When used as recreational seasonal or temporary living quarters, may be connected to utilities necessary for the operation of installed fixtures and appliances.
-- Is not a mobile home under the Mobile Home Commission Act.
(Under that Act, "mobile home" means a structure, transportable in one or more sections, that is built on a chassis and designed to be used as a dwelling with or without permanent foundation, when connected to the required utilities, and includes the plumbing, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems contained in the structure.)
The Code prescribes the maximum dimensions of a mobile home being towed on a street or highway, provides for special permits for the towing of a mobile home that exceeds the maximum dimensions, prescribes other requirements for the transport of a mobile home, and authorizes the State Transportation Commission to order the Michigan Department of Transportation to cease issuing the permits under certain conditions. A person who violates these provisions is responsible for a civil infraction and may be assessed a civil fine of up to $500. Under the bill, these provisions also would apply to the towing of a park model trailer.
MCL 257.216 et al. Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco
Debra Hollon
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. hb4781/0910