HB 4470 amends Michigan's penal code to designate specific portions of the Mackinac Bridge (those not open to or intended for public use) as a "key facility" under existing law. This means unauthorized entry onto these bridge sections - when enclosed by barriers like water and properly posted with signage - would become a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison or a $2,500 fine. The bill adds the Mackinac Bridge to a list of protected critical infrastructure, including power plants, water facilities, and chemical plants, all requiring physical barriers and visible signage to enforce entry restrictions. It does not change current penalties or posting requirements but extends them specifically to the Mackinac Bridge's restricted areas.
HB 4230 creates a new "neighborhood road fund" in Michigan's state treasury, funded by $100 million annually from income tax revenues (specifically from Section 695 of the 1967 Income Tax Act). This fund directly affects county road commissions, city and village road agencies, and the local bridge advisory board. Key provisions require $100 million yearly to be reserved exclusively for repairing closed, restricted, and critical bridges (managed by the advisory board), while the remaining funds are distributed to road agencies based on their road mileage - $100,000 per county commission plus a mileage-based share for all counties, and similarly for cities/villages. The bill specifies these funds must cover road preservation, maintenance, and preventative work without requiring local matching funds.
HB 5156 amends Michigan's Vehicle Code to give local law enforcement agencies (like city police or county sheriffs) temporary authority to control traffic during emergencies or specific events. It allows officers or temporary devices to guide, direct, or stop traffic on any public road within their jurisdiction when necessary for public safety, including during large marches, parades, protests, terrorist attacks, or violent acts. The bill specifically expands existing traffic control powers to cover these scenarios without requiring prior court orders. This change directly affects how local police manage traffic during public gatherings or crises, aiming to enhance safety responses. The bill is currently in committee review after being introduced on October 29, 2025.
SB 646 amends Michigan's Infrastructure Council Act to restructure how the state manages public infrastructure assets. It requires the council to develop annual asset management plans, a 3-year strategy for a statewide integrated system, and annual reports tracking progress toward performance goals. Key provisions mandate consistent data standards, regional coordination for infrastructure planning, and specific requirements for transportation, water, and other asset systems. The bill directly affects state agencies, local governments, and regional planning bodies responsible for infrastructure maintenance and reporting. It also prohibits government-owned broadband networks (except for transportation uses) and restricts broadband subsidies to unserved areas with competitive bidding.
HB 5175 requires that for new highway construction or full bridge reconstruction starting January 2026, contractors must provide a 10-year maintenance contract covering design, building, operation, and upkeep of the project. This applies to state and local road agencies, making contractors responsible for repairs (like potholes or snow removal) for a decade or until the first major preventative maintenance, whichever comes later. The bill specifies that contractors aren’t liable for disaster damage (e.g., floods or storms), and annual payments must remain at least 10% of peak annual payments. It directly affects road construction projects, contractors, and taxpayers by shifting long-term maintenance responsibility to private entities.
SB 695 allows regional transit authorities in Michigan to charge an extra $1.20 per $1,000 of a vehicle’s value (on top of standard registration fees) for transit funding, but only if approved by voters in a November election. It requires ballot measures to specify how funds will be used and limits spending to transit projects. The tax applies to regular vehicle registrations in transit regions, excluding company test vehicles (e.g., manufacturer-owned vehicles used for testing). It takes effect January 1, 2027, pending approval of related legislation. This change directly affects vehicle owners in participating transit regions through their registration costs.
HB 5176 requires contractors to provide a 10-year warranty for all state road construction and repair projects. This means contractors must fix any defects in the work for a full decade after completion, shifting long-term maintenance responsibility from the state to the contractors. The bill amends Michigan’s 1951 Highway Act (MCL 247.661 et seq.) to add this warranty requirement to Section 11. It directly affects state contractors who build or repair public roads, potentially reducing future taxpayer costs for road repairs.
SB 692 modifies how regional transit authorities in Michigan can raise funds for public transportation. It requires voter approval for local transit taxes through a November election, with ballot measures clearly stating the tax rate, duration, purpose, and whether it's a renewal or new tax. The bill mandates that at least 85% of funds collected from local taxes or vehicle registration fees must be spent on transit services within the community where the money was raised. It also adds new reporting requirements for transit authorities starting January 1, 2027, including annual cost/revenue reports and asset management plans.
HB 4335 aims to increase the penalties for drivers who commit moving violations that cause physical injury or death to a "vulnerable roadway user." This legislation amends a section of the state's code of criminal procedure. The bill seeks to enhance legal consequences for drivers involved in such incidents, thereby affecting individuals found responsible for these violations and aiming to provide greater protection for vulnerable individuals using roadways.
HB 4306 modifies Michigan's driver license suspension rules to prevent automatic license revocation for individuals who experience an epileptic seizure while driving. The bill creates a specific exception under state law, allowing affected drivers to retain their licenses if they provide medical documentation confirming the seizure was not caused by negligence or a preventable condition. This change directly impacts people with epilepsy who have a documented medical history related to seizures, ensuring their driving privileges are not automatically suspended following such incidents.
