A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending sections 252d, 320a, 707b, 707c, 707d, 732, and 907 (MCL 257.252d, 257.320a, 257.707b, 257.707c, 257.707d, 257.732, and 257.907), section 252d as amended by 2022 PA 89, section 320a as amended by 2023 PA 39, section 707c as amended by 2020 PA 382, section 732 as amended by 2023 PA 40, and section 907 as amended by 2024 PA 22.
The bill aims to streamline the process for the immediate removal of vehicles from both public and private properties under various conditions, mandates towing at the owner's expense, and outlines law enforcement's responsibilities including vehicle status checks and impoundment procedures. It sets conditions for vehicle owners to reclaim their vehicles and introduces a process for declaring a vehicle abandoned if not reclaimed within 7 days post-impoundment.
The bill revises the point system for driving offenses, assigning points for various violations, and specifies exemptions. It addresses noise pollution by setting limits on vehicle noise levels, prohibits the sale or operation of vehicles with defective or modified exhaust systems, and introduces penalties for violations related to noise levels.
Additionally, the bill impacts the reporting of certain driving offenses to the secretary of state, potentially affecting the driver's license status. It specifies the process for reporting felonies involving commercial motor vehicles, including conditions under which vehicle group designations on a license may be suspended or revoked. It outlines the responsibilities for forwarding and certifying court record abstracts to the secretary of state, with certain violations exempt from public record.
The bill also clarifies the handling of nonmoving violations, insurance proof requirements for certain citations, and the process for reversing convictions or civil infraction determinations upon appeal. It includes provisions regarding the immediate reporting of convictions or civil infractions to the secretary of state, prohibits the expunction of any violation reportable under this act, and details fines for various infractions, enhancing the focus on public safety, environmental concerns, and the integrity of vehicle sales and modifications. It further specifies fines for specific violations, including a range for first and subsequent offenses, and outlines the imposition of costs and additional sanctions, such as mandatory education or rehabilitation programs for offenders, thereby reinforcing the bill's comprehensive approach to vehicle regulation and public safety.
The bill introduces measures to evaluate disparities in the imposition of civil fines and costs, and includes provisions for waiving fines under certain conditions, such as the repair of defective safety equipment or the acquisition of a child seating system, emphasizing a focus on corrective actions over punitive measures. This refinement underscores the bill's comprehensive approach to enhancing public safety, environmental protection, and the integrity of vehicle operations and sales. The act takes effect 90 days after enactment, applying to offenses involving the operation of a motor vehicle where fines may be assessed, further emphasizing its immediate impact on vehicle regulation and public safety.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure
Reported without amendment
Substitute H-2 offered
by
The substitute passed by voice vote
