DEFINITION OF MOPED

House Bill 4495

Sponsor:  Rep. Richard LeBlanc

Committee:  Transportation

Complete to 8-24-10

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4495 AS INTRODUCED 3-3-09

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code's definition of the term "moped" to remove any reference to horsepower.

The current definition is:  a two- or three-wheeled vehicle equipped with a motor that does not exceed 50 cubic centimeters piston displacement, produces 2.0 brake horsepower or less, and cannot propel the vehicle at a speed greater than 30 miles per hour on a level surface.  Also the power drive system cannot require the operator to shift gears.

House Bill 4495 would amend the definition to remove the bolded language referring to horsepower.

MCL 257.32b

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 4495 would have an indeterminate, but likely negligible, fiscal impact on state and local government.  Any fiscal impact would be the result of lost motorcycle registration revenue to the state from those motor vehicles that would qualify as a moped but for the fact that motor vehicle exceeded the 2.0 brake horsepower limit.  This bill would eliminate that requirement.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch 

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ 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.