WARNING LIGHTS ON SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL VEHICLES AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE VEHICLES

House Bill 5247 (reported from committee as H-2)

Sponsor:  Rep. Rob VerHeulen

Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Complete to 3-9-16

SUMMARY:

The bill deals with the use of special lights on vehicles operated for various public service purposes.  In particular, it would allow the use of green lights, in addition to the currently required yellow lights and amber lights.

Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, a person is prohibited from operating a commercial snow removal vehicle to remove snow or ice on a public street, highway, or in a parking lot accessible for use by the public unless the vehicle is operated with at least one flashing, rotating or oscillating yellow or amber light clearly visible from 500 feet within use.  House Bill 5247 would amend the Code to add green light to this provision. 

Also currently, flashing, rotating or oscillating amber lights placed in a position to be visible throughout an arc of 360 degrees must be used by state, county or municipal vehicles engage in operations designed to control ice or snow.  The bill would allow green lights and also would allow such lights when these vehicles were "engaged in other non-winter operations."

Currently, an employee of the Department of Natural Resources operating a vehicle for at the scene of a spill, emergency response action, complaint, or compliance activity can activate its required flashing, rotating or oscillating amber lights.  The bill would also allow these lights to be green, and would make the section also apply to an employee of the "Department of Environmental Quality" who operated a vehicle for that purpose.

Lastly, the bill would not prohibit the use of a flashing, rotating or oscillating green light by a fire service.

MCL 257.698

FISCAL IMPACT:  

The bill would appear to have no fiscal impact.

POSITIONS:

Department of Transportation testified in support of the bill. (2-23-16)

County Road Association testified in support of the bill. (2-23-16)

Barry County Road Commission supports the bill.  (3-8-16)

Kent County Road Commission supports the bill. (3-8-16)

Oakland County Road Commission supports the bill. (2-23-16)

Michigan Municipal League supports the bill. (3-8-16)

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   E. Best

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Kent Dell

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