TRANSPORT OF FARM PRODUCTS                                                          H.B. 5424 (S-1):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

House Bill 5424 (Substitute S-1 as reported by the Committee of the Whole)

Sponsor:  Representative Lisa Lyons

House Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to increase by 10% the loading maximum allowed for a vehicle transporting a farm product from the field or storage to first point of delivery on a road in Michigan, other than an interstate highway; and provide that a violation would be a civil infraction.

The Code prescribes axle loading maximums for different vehicles based on the vehicle combination and distance between axles, and prescribes a civil fine for the operation of a vehicle in violation of the loading maximums.  Under the bill, the axle loading maximums would be increased by 10% for vehicles transporting a farm product as defined in the Right to Farm Act from the place of harvest or storage to first point of delivery on a road in Michigan.  The increased axle loading maximums would not alter the Code's gross vehicle weight restrictions.  The allowed increase would not apply to a vehicle using an interstate highway or a road subject to seasonal weight restrictions while those restrictions were in effect.

If a person operated a vehicle in violation of the increased axle loading maximums allowed under the bill, the vehicle's owner or lessee would be responsible for a civil infraction and would have to pay the civil fine that applied to the amount of weight by which the vehicle exceeded the original loading maximum.

MCL 257.722 & 257.724                                                 Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed:  6-13-12                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  Dan O'Connor

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.