PURPLE HEART TRAIL
House Bill 5622 as reported from committee
Sponsor: Rep. John Reilly
Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 5-23-18
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5622 would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of highway M-15 within the village of Ortonville as the “Purple Heart Trail.”
Proposed MCL 250.1020b
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Purple Heart is the oldest military medal and is still being awarded today to service members who were wounded or killed in the line of duty. According to committee testimony, 72 VFW post members living in the village of Ortonville are Purple Heart recipients. The recipients’ range of military service includes World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. Currently, 42 states and Guam have designated areas for a Purple Heart Trail. The Ortonville post was designated trail-worthy in 2016 and is the only one in Oakland County with this distinction. Designating a portion of highway M-15 within the village of Ortonville as the Purple Heart Trail would honor the sacrifices of these 72 service members and recognize that “all gave some, some gave all.”
FISCAL IMPACT:
Section 2 of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act indicates that the state transportation department shall provide for the erection of suitable markers indicating the name of the highway only “when sufficient private contributions are received to completely cover the cost of erecting and maintaining those markers.” As a result, the bill has no state or local fiscal impact.
POSITIONS:
The Commander of VFW Post 582 testified in support of the bill. (5-22-18)
The Michigan Department of Transportation has no position on the bill. (5-22-18)
Fiscal Analyst: William E. Hamilton
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.