HB 4203 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Traffic control: traffic regulation; seasonal weight restrictions; revise exemption for tow truck, wrecker, or road service vehicles under certain circumstances. Amends sec. 722 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.722).

HB 4203 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to revise exemptions for tow trucks, wreckers, and road service vehicles from seasonal weight restrictions on state highways. The bill allows these vehicles to operate during restricted periods (typically winter months) when responding to emergencies or providing essential roadside assistance. This change directly affects towing and road service companies by permitting them to operate under weight limits they previously could not during certain seasons. The amendment applies specifically to vehicles performing emergency response or required road service functions.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Governor
Introduced Mar 11, 2025 Last action May 29, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill As Passed by the House · 6 edits · May 21, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends Michigan's vehicle code to update axle weight limits and seasonal restrictions, adding new provisions for natural gas and electric vehicle exemptions, clarifying agricultural commodity definitions, and expanding emergency utility vehicle access to restricted roads during seasonal weight restrictions. The changes modernize weight regulations to accommodate alternative fuel vehicles and improve flexibility for agricultural and utility operations.
Scope change
The bill expands applicability to include natural gas and electric vehicles with specific weight exemptions, clarifies agricultural commodity definitions to include maple sap and farming equipment, and broadens emergency utility vehicle access during seasonal restrictions.
ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions allowing natural gas and electric vehicles with gross weight of 82,000 pounds or less to exceed standard axle loading maximums by up to 2,000 pounds total.

Modified emergency public utility work procedures to allow notification via facsimile or electronic means and added provisions for nonemergency work requiring seasonal permits.

DEFINITION

Expanded definition of agricultural commodities to explicitly include maple sap, farming equipment, and fuel for agricultural use, while clarifying that trees and lumber are excluded.

Added new definitions for 'farm storage' (including silos, bins, and open environments) and 'transmission company' referencing electric transmission line certification act.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for seasonal truck permits for public utility vehicles, including unique identification numbers, seasonal validity periods, and signage requirements for subcontractors.

Modified seasonal weight restriction exemptions to explicitly include propane delivery vehicles traveling at 35 mph or less with tanks filled to 50% capacity or less.

Floor votes · House May 21, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
3
Committee
4
May 29, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
upper
May 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
upper
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #124 Yeas 105 Nays 0 Excused 0 Not Voting 5
lower
May 13, 2025
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation without amendment
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
introduced by Representative Rep. Gina Johnsen
lower
1 primary · 25 co-sponsors

Sponsors