WRECKERS: SIZE, WEIGHT LIMITS - H.B. 4139 (S-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 4139 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor: Representative Penny Crissman

House Committee: Transportation

Senate Committee: Transportation and Tourism

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to permit a wrecker and a disabled vehicle, or a wrecker and a combination of a disabled vehicle and one trailer, that exceeded the Code's size and weight limits to operate on the State's highways under the following conditions:

-- The wrecker was designed specifically for towing operations; was equipped with flashing, oscillating, or rotating amber or red lights; and was capable of using the lighting and braking systems of the disabled vehicle or combination of disabled vehicles if those systems were operational.

-- The wrecker was issued an extended restricted permit by the State Transportation Department if each trip beginning from the place of original disablement were 25 miles or less, except that for each trip that began and ended north of a line between Ludington and Pinconning, the trip beginning from the place of original disablement could be up to 50 miles.

-- The wrecker did not operate on any highway, road, street, or structure included on a list provided by the Department unless the disabled vehicle were located on one of those roads or structures.

The owner or operator of a wrecker that did not comply with the last criteria would be responsible for a civil infraction and would have to pay a civil fine of at least $250 but not more than $500.

The bill would take effect March 1, 1999.

MCL 257.716 - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim

FISCAL IMPACT

The fiscal impact of this bill is indeterminate. As specified in the bill, the owner or operator of a wrecker operating without an extended restricted permit would be liable for a civil fine, in addition to fines levied for carrying an illegal weight or load. The revenues collected from these fines would vary based on the number and severity of violations that occur each year, and cannot be calculated. However, the revenues generated from these fines would be earmarked for the support of local public libraries.

Date Completed: 10-1-98 - Fiscal Analyst: P. AlderferFLOOR\HB4139 - 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.