State Transportation Commission adopts suite of policy updates, rescinds Mackinac Bridge self‑insurance policy

The State Transportation Commission voted on April 24 to approve a package of policy revisions and to rescind Commission Policy 10239, a policy concerning a self‑insurance program for the Mackinac Bridge Authority.

The commission approved multiple updated policies after a work‑group review led by commission members and staff. The most notable items included a simplified, department‑wide safety policy (CP10002), an updated commission oversight/reporting policy (CP10003), clarified rules about seeking input from public interest groups (CP10005), revisions to right‑of‑way appraisals and employee attestation requirements (CP10013), and updated bonding guidelines (CP10080). The commission also rescinded CP10239, concluding that subsequent statutory changes and an agreement between MDOT and the Mackinac Bridge Authority made the policy redundant.

Why this matters: the revisions aim to clarify reporting obligations, strengthen transparency around right‑of‑way transactions, update financial controls tied to bonding practices, and align safety language across MDOT; rescinding CP10239 reflects a legal change that the commission said now governs bridge protections.

What the commission approved (summary)

- CP10002 (transportation safety): presented by Jack (Office of Commission Audit), revised to simplify language and make safety an MDOT‑wide priority. Vote: revisions approved (roll call recorded as 4 yes).

- CP10003 (commission oversight): revised to require additional reporting from MDOT to the commission. Vote: approved (roll call 4 yes).

- CP10005 (public interest group input): clarified that the commission is not required to solicit public‑interest comments but may do so. Vote: approved (roll call 4 yes).

- CP10013 (right‑of‑way acquisition, management, clearance and sale): clarified attestation requirements for current and former state employees to improve transparency in property transactions. Vote: approved (roll call 4 yes).

- CP10080 (bonding guidelines): added examples of transportation facilities, reporting requirements and a statement limiting certain revenue ratios (policy notes a 4:1 ratio limit as drafted). Vote: approved (roll call 4 yes).

- CP10239 (self‑insurance program for Mackinac Bridge): the work group recommended rescission after finding that statutory protections and an MDOT–Mackinac Bridge Authority agreement already provide the necessary protections. Jack said the recommendation was “to rescind because the original policy seemed to have been pointed at protecting the Mackinac Bridge Authority.” Vote: rescission approved (roll call 4 yes).

Motions, seconds and recorded outcomes

The packet shows the chair or task group chairs moved several items and commissioners supplied seconds or supporting seconds as recorded in the meeting transcript. Roll call votes on the revised policies were announced by commission staff and recorded as four affirmative votes for each policy matter.

Appointments and minutes

The commission also approved the minutes of the Jan. 30, 2025 meeting and confirmed two Transportation Asset Management Council appointments transmitted by the Michigan Municipal League: Karen Madora, assistant city manager for the City of Farmington Hills, and John Gorney, public works director for the City of Grand Rapids. These appointments were approved by voice vote; motions to appoint were recorded and seconded.

Commission discussion

Commissioners praised the work‑group process. Commissioner Schultz said she had concerns earlier about language tying oversight to “operational effectiveness” and that the group’s revisions clarified that operational effectiveness should not override other policy aims like safety. Jack (office of commission audit) and the work group were thanked for the review effort.

No litigation, contract awards or other actions beyond the policy votes and appointments were taken in this section.