HB 4301 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Vehicles: emergency vehicles; definition of authorized emergency vehicle; expand. Amends secs. 2 & 698 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.2 & 257.698). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4302'25

HB 4301 expands Michigan's definition of "authorized emergency vehicle" in the Vehicle Code (MCL 257.2 and 257.698) to include specific new categories. It adds vehicles owned by the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System during emergencies, clarifies that road service vehicles (like tow trucks) may use flashing amber lights while assisting disabled vehicles, and allows federally recognized nonprofits to use emergency lights during disaster response. The bill also clarifies when certain colored lights (red, blue, amber, green) may be used on emergency vehicles, including for snow removal, spill response, and funeral processions. This directly affects emergency responders, road service providers, and nonprofit organizations during crisis operations.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Dec 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2025
Governor
Introduced Mar 25, 2025 Last action Dec 4, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill As Passed by the House · 10 edits · Jun 4, 2025
MAJOR
This bill amends the Michigan Vehicle Code to expand the definition of 'authorized emergency vehicles' to include specific types of volunteer responders and road service vehicles. It also adds new exemptions allowing various non-emergency vehicles, such as funeral processions, public transit, and neighborhood watch cars, to use flashing lights under strict conditions. Additionally, it clarifies rules for physicians and security guards using emergency lights and establishes a civil fine for violations.
Scope change
The scope of the bill expanded from defining only traditional emergency responders to include a broader range of vehicles and specific operational scenarios, such as interlocal mutual aid and funeral processions.
ELIGIBILITY

Added 'road service vehicles' assisting disabled vehicles to the list of authorized emergency vehicles.

Included vehicles owned by the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System as authorized emergency vehicles when operating during interlocal emergencies.

Allowed funeral procession vehicles to use flashing purple or amber lights only while the procession is active.

Permitted public transit vehicles to use white flashing lights for visibility during inclement weather or passenger boarding/discharge.

Authorized neighborhood watch vehicles to use amber flashing lights when clearly identified and cooperating with law enforcement.

Granted physicians responding to emergency calls the ability to use red flashing lights with written authorization from a county sheriff.

Allowed private security guard vehicles to display amber flashing lights, but prohibited activation while the vehicle is in motion on a public highway.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the definition of 'authorized emergency vehicle' to explicitly include volunteer or paid members of life support agencies and emergency rescue units under specific authorization.

Added a prohibition on selling or furnishing blue or red emergency lights to unauthorized persons, with specific exceptions for licensed emergency services and mutual aid systems.

ENFORCEMENT

Established a civil infraction with a fine of up to $100 for operating a vehicle in violation of the new lighting restrictions.

Floor votes · House Jun 4, 2025

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Dec 4, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
upper
Dec 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 12/3/2025
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
upper
Jun 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED BY HOUSE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
upper
Jun 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
passed; given immediate effect Roll Call #138 Yeas 108 Nays 0 Excused 0 Not Voting 2
lower
Jun 4, 2025
Introduced
amended
lower
May 20, 2025
Committee
referred to second reading
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
reported with recommendation without amendment
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
introduced by Representative Rep. Brian BeGole
lower
1 primary · 21 co-sponsors

Sponsors