BONDS FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT FINES S.B. 492: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 492 (as introduced 5-9-07)
Sponsor: Senator Alan Sanborn
Committee: Transportation
Date Completed: 5-25-07
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to permit the driver or owner of a vehicle, if he or she did not pay the full amount of civil fines and costs owed for a violation of vehicle weight limits, to post a bond in the amount owed, rather than double the amount as currently required.
Under the Code, an owner of a vehicle, a lessee of the vehicle of an owner-operator, or another person who causes or allows a vehicle to be loaded and driven or moved on a highway when the weight of the vehicle exceeds limits specified in the Code, is responsible for a civil infraction and must pay a civil fine based on the weight of the excess load and the distribution of the load.
If a judge or magistrate imposes a civil fine and costs that are not paid in full immediately or for which a bond is not posted immediately in double the amount of the civil fine and costs, the judge or magistrate must order the driver or owner to move the vehicle to a place of safekeeping within the judge's or magistrate's jurisdiction, inform him or her in writing of that place of safekeeping, and keep the vehicle until the fine and costs are paid or sufficient bond is furnished, or until the judge or magistrate is satisfied that the fine and costs will be paid.
Under the bill, a bond would have to be in the amount of the fines and costs, rather than double that amount.
MCL 257.724 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government. Bonds in these cases are returned to the companies involved after the civil fines and costs are covered, and are generally not held in interest-earning accounts.
Fiscal Analyst: Stephanie Yu
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. sb492/0708