HB 4343 Michigan House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Traffic control: violations; certain trucks assisting in a state of emergency; exempt from frost laws. Amends sec. 722 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.722).

HB 4343 exempts certain commercial trucks assisting in a declared state of emergency from Michigan's frost laws, which typically restrict truck operations during freezing conditions. This means trucks providing emergency response services (like transporting supplies or personnel) will not face traffic violations for operating during frost conditions when supporting emergency efforts. The bill amends Michigan's Vehicle Code (MCL 257.722) to create this specific exception for emergency assistance vehicles. It directly affects commercial truck operators and emergency management agencies during declared emergencies.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Governor

Introduced Apr 17, 2025 Last action May 29, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

House Introduced Bill → As Passed by the House · 7 edits · May 21, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Michigan's vehicle code to update weight limits and exemptions for agricultural and public utility vehicles. It clarifies definitions for agricultural commodities and farm storage, adds new exemptions for electric and natural gas-powered vehicles, and expands seasonal weight restriction exceptions for propane delivery and disaster response. The changes aim to modernize regulations for emerging vehicle technologies while maintaining road safety standards.

Scope change

The bill expands applicability to include electric battery-powered vehicles and natural gas-powered vehicles with specific weight exemptions, and clarifies the definition of agricultural commodities to include maple sap and farming equipment.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions allowing electric battery-powered vehicles and natural gas-powered vehicles (up to 82,000 pounds) to exceed standard axle loading maximums by up to 2,000 pounds for their fuel systems.

Added exemption for vehicles delivering propane fuel to residences when tanks are filled to no more than 50% capacity and vehicles travel at 35 mph or less.

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of agricultural commodities to include maple sap and farming equipment, while explicitly excluding trees or lumber.

Added new definition for 'farm storage' to include both enclosed structures and open environments used for temporary crop storage.

Added new definition for 'transmission company' referencing the electric transmission line certification act.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements for seasonal truck permits for public utility vehicles, including unique identification numbers, travel minimization requirements, and signage display mandates for subcontractors.

Updated notification requirements for nonemergency public utility work on restricted roads, reducing the notice period from 48 hours to 24 hours and adding specific application information requirements.

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

Key actions

Committee

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 #125 Yeas 104 Nays 1 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

Apr 17, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced

introduced by Representative Rep. Ken Borton

lower

1 primary · 11 co-sponsors