MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ACT                                                                         S.B. 672:

                                                                                  SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 672 (as introduced 11-29-17)

Sponsor:  Senator Phil Pavlov

Committee:  Transportation

Date Completed:  12-6-17

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Motor Carrier Safety Act to delete a provision that exempts from the Act and the rules promulgated under it a motor bus as defined in, and for which a certificate of authority was issued under, the Motor Bus Transportation Act.

The Motor Carrier Safety Act regulates the operation of commercial motor vehicles, including driver qualifications and physical requirements, vehicle use, inspection, and transportation; and sets penalties. The Motor Bus Transportation Act regulates people who transport passengers by motor bus.

The Motor Carrier Safety Act states that, except for Section 6, the Act and the rules promulgated under it do not apply to a motor bus as defined in, and for which a certificate of authority was issued under, the Motor Bus Transportation Act. (Section 6 requires motor carriers to submit transportation safety-related documents to motor carrier officers, and allows motor carrier officers to inspect the cargo area and interior of vehicles.) The bill would delete this provision.

(The Motor Bus Transportation Act defines "bus" as a motor vehicle with a seating capacity of nine or more passengers, including the driver, that is used in the transportation of passengers and their baggage for hire upon any public Michigan highway. Except as otherwise provided, bus includes a school bus. The Act prohibits a motor carrier from operating upon a public highway in Michigan without first having obtained from the Michigan Department of Transportation an authority. "Motor carrier" means a person who, either directly or through any device or arrangement, holds himself or herself out to the public as willing to transport passengers for hire by bus over Michigan's public highways.)

The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.

MCL 480.15                                                            Legislative Analyst:  Drew Krogulecki

FISCAL IMPACT

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

                                                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Bruce Baker

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.