SENATE BILL No. 176

 

 

February 22, 2017, Introduced by Senator CASPERSON and referred to the Committee on Transportation.

 

 

     A bill to amend 1996 PA 299, entitled

 

"An act to regulate tourist-oriented directional signs on certain

rural roads; and to impose certain duties upon the state

transportation department,"

 

by amending section 1 (MCL 247.401), as amended by 2004 PA 528.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 1. As used in this act:

 

     (a) "Department" means the state transportation department.

 

     (b) "Eligible attraction" means a tourist-oriented activity

 

that is all of the following:

 

     (i) Within 10 miles of the rural road for which a tourist-

 

oriented directional sign is sought, unless otherwise restricted or

 

permitted by the department.

 

     (ii) Not visible from the rural road for which a tourist-

 

oriented directional sign is sought unless a sign for an eligible


attraction is already in place in the vicinity for which the

 

tourist-oriented directional sign is sought.

 

     (iii) In compliance with section 131 of title 23 of the United

 

States Code, 23 USC 131, and the national standards, criteria, and

 

rules established under that act, if the activity is advertised by

 

rural road signs.

 

     (c) "Rural road" means a highway as that term is defined in

 

section 20 of the Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.20,

 

but does not include either of the following:

 

     (i) A freeway as that term is defined in section 18a of the

 

Michigan vehicle code, 1949 PA 300, MCL 257.18a.

 

     (ii) A road that is part of the national system of interstate

 

and defense highways.

 

     (d) "Tourist-oriented activity" means a lawful cultural,

 

historical, recreational, educational, or commercial activity that

 

is annually attended by 2,000 or more people and for which a major

 

portion of the activity's income or visitors are derived during the

 

normal business season from motorists not residing in the immediate

 

area of the activity.

 

     (e) "Tourist-oriented directional sign" means a sign used to

 

provide motorists with advanced notice of a tourist-oriented

 

activity.

 

     Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days

 

after the date it is enacted into law.