UNATTENDED VEHICLES ON HIGHWAY                                                    H.B. 4215 (H-4):

                                                                               SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL

                                                                                                         IN COMMITTEE

House Bill 4215 (Substitute H-4 as passed by the House)

Sponsor:  Representative Holly Hughes

House Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Senate Committee:  Transportation

Date Completed:  5-17-17

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require a person to remove and take the ignition key when allowing a motor vehicle to stand on a highway unattended. The bill also would rescind an administrative rule that is on the same subject but applies to a vehicle in any place.  

Under Section 676 of the Code, a person may not allow a motor vehicle to stand on a highway unattended without engaging the parking brake or placing the vehicle in park, and stopping the motor of the vehicle. A violation of the section is a civil infraction. The bill would add the requirement to remove and take possession of the ignition key. 

The bill also provides that Section 676 would not apply to a vehicle that was standing in place and was equipped with a remote start feature, if the remote start feature were engaged.

The bill would rescind Rule 28.1458 of the Administrative Code. (Rule 28.1458 states that a person who has control or charge of a motor vehicle must not allow it to stand unattended on any street or any other place without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, and removing and taking possession of the ignition key. The provisions that pertain to locking the ignition and removing and taking the key do not apply to vehicles that are manufactured with an ignition system that does not have a key and that is incapable of being locked. A person who violates the rule is responsible for a civil infraction.)  

The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.

MCL 257.676                                                          Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the State and an indeterminate, though likely minimal, fiscal impact on local government. It is unknown whether the provisions of the bill would result in a net increase or decrease in civil infractions. Any increase in civil infraction fine revenue would increase funding for public libraries. Conversely, any decrease in fine revenue would reduce funding for public libraries.

                                                                                       Fiscal Analyst:  Ryan Bergan

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.