PUBLIC UTILITY SUBCONTRACTORS S.B. 1524: FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1524 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Jud Gilbert, II
Committee: Transportation

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to include subcontractors within certain provisions exempting public utility vehicles from seasonal weight limits.


The Code prescribes reduced maximum axle loads and gross vehicle weights during the months of March, April, and May, but makes an exception to those restrictions for public utility vehicles on a highway, road, or street under the jurisdiction of a local road agency.


The bill would define "public utility vehicle" as a vehicle owned and operated by a public utility under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission (PSC), or operated by a subcontractor on behalf of a public utility under the jurisdiction of the PSC.


The bill would include subcontractors in a requirement that a public utility, if required by the county road commission, notify it of emergency utility work on restricted roads, the location of the work, and a statement that the vehicles used to perform the work may have exceeded the seasonal weight restrictions. The bill also would include subcontractors in a requirement that, for nonemergency public utility work on restricted roads, if the county road commission requires, the public utility apply to the road commission annually for a seasonal truck permit for roads under its authority before seasonal weight restrictions are effective.
A seasonal truck permit would have to include a requirement that, in the case of a subcontractor, the permit would be valid only while the subcontractor vehicle was being operated in the performance of public utility work, and a requirement that a subcontractor vehicle or vehicle configuration display signage to identify it as operating on behalf of the utility.


Under the Code, if the county road commission requires notification of nonemergency public utility work on restricted roads, the public utility must notify the county road commission at least 24 hours before the time of the intended travel. The bill would extend this requirement to a subcontractor for a public utility. A subcontractor using a vehicle on a restricted road would have to have a copy of any notification provided to a county road commission in his or her possession while performing the relevant nonemergency work.


MCL 257.722 Legislative Analyst: Curtis Walker

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.


Date Completed: 9-25-08 Fiscal Analyst: Debra Hollon

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. sb1524/0708