PROHIBIT RELEASE OF INFORMATION ON ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PUBLIC HIGHWAY AUTHORITY WORKERS

House Bill 4889 (Substitute H-2)

Sponsor:  Rep. Tom Pearce

Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 1-18-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4889 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE 12-13-05

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code.  Currently, the code prohibits the Department of Transportation from releasing information to a nongovernmental agency about an accident on the record of a police officer, fire fighter, or a person authorized to operate an ambulance or other emergency vehicle if the accident occurred while the person was operating the vehicle in the course of employment.

  House Bill 4889 would add to the list: an employee of the state transportation department, a county road commission, or a local authority with jurisdiction over a highway if the employee is authorized to operate a motor vehicle or equipment while working within the highway right-of-way.

The bill would also specify that this prohibition on releasing information would not apply to any of the drivers listed above if the person was convicted on a crime in connection with the accident.

MCL 257.733

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.