LIGHTING: SNOWPLOWS/SERVICE VEHICLES H.B. 5247 (H-2):
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5247 (Substitute H-2 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Robert VerHeulen
House Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Senate Committee: Transportation
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to do the following:
-- Provide for the use of green flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights, as an alternative to amber lights, on State, county, or municipal vehicles engaged in the removal of ice, snow, or other material from highways or other operations to control ice and snow.
-- Require the use of these lights on a State, county, or municipal vehicle engaged in nonwinter operations.
-- Allow the use of green flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights, as an alternative to amber lights, on vehicles used for the cleanup of spills, for a necessary emergency response action, or by an employee of the Department of Natural Resources responding to certain situations.
-- Allow the use of green or amber flashing, rotating, or oscillating lights on vehicles operated by Department of Environmental Quality employees responding to certain situations.
-- Specify that the amended provisions would not prohibit the use of a flashing, rotating, or oscillating green light by a fire service.
The Code prohibits the use or possession of flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights of any color, but provides exceptions and specific circumstances under which the use of colored flashing, oscillating, or rotating lights is allowed.
The Code requires flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights to be used by a State, county, or municipal vehicle engaged in the removal of ice, snow, or other material from the highway and in other operations designed to control ice and snow. Under the bill, these lights could be amber or green, and would have to be used on a State, county, or municipal vehicle engaged in nonwinter operations. The bill specifies that this provision would not prohibit the use of a flashing, rotating, or oscillating green light by a fire service.
The Code permits a vehicle used for the cleanup of spills or a necessary emergency response action taken pursuant to State or Federal law or a vehicle operated by an employee of the Department of Natural Resources that responds to a spill, emergency response action, complaint, or compliance activity, to be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber lights. Under the bill, the lights could be amber or green, and could be used on a vehicle operated by an employee of the Department of Environmental Quality responding to a spill, emergency response action, complaint, or compliance activity. The bill specifies that this provision would not prohibit the use of a flashing, rotating, or oscillating green light by a fire service.
The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.
MCL 257.698 Legislative Analyst: Drew Krogulecki
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
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.