MOTOR CARRIER ACT REVISIONS

House Bill 4821 (Substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Rep.  Marilyn Lane                                                         (Enacted as PA 263 of 2013)

Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Complete to 10-3-13

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4821 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4821 would amend the Section 5 of the Motor Carrier Safety Act (MCL 480.15) in the following ways:

** Currently, Section 5 specifically exempts the driver of a public utility service vehicle when used in cases of emergency from the requirements of certain federal rules (49 CFR part 395).  The bill would strike that exemption.

** Currently, the section says that the act and rules promulgated under the act do not apply to a bus as defined under the Motor Bus Transportation Act and for which a certificate of authority has been issued under that act.  The bill would retain this exemption, applying it to "motor buses" as defined in the Motor Bus Transportation Act for which certificates of authority have been issued under that act, but would say instead that the act and rules would not apply to such motor buses "except for Section 6."  This means Section 6 of the act would apply to motor buses.  Section 6 of the act requires motor carriers to provide certain specified documents to enforcement officers of the Motor Carrier Division of the State Police. 

MCL 480.15

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill does not appear to have any significant fiscal impact on state or local government.

POSITIONS:

Department of Transportation supports the bill.  (9-24-13)

Michigan State Police supports the bill. (10-2-13)

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   E. Best        

■ 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.