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House exempts tow and recovery vehicles from seasonal weight limits when responding to disabled vehicles
Summary
House Bill 4203 passed unanimously to allow towing and recovery vehicles a limited exemption from Michigan's seasonal axle weight restrictions when recovering disabled, damaged or impounded vehicles, with safeguards including notifying local road agencies and speed limits.
Lansing ' The Michigan House on Wednesday passed House Bill 4203 to create a narrowly tailored exemption to the state's seasonal axle weight limits (commonly called frost laws) for towing and recovery vehicles responding to emergencies.
Representative Johnson, the bill sponsor, said the exemption is designed to avoid leaving stranded motorists in dangerous situations while still protecting roads during freeze-thaw periods.
"House Bill 4203 provides a smart limited solution. It allows [tow trucks] to operate under seasonal weight restrictions only when recovering a disabled, damaged, or impounded vehicle," Representative Johnson said. "The bill includes important safeguards. Operators must notify the local road agency if they believe they exceed weight limits, and they must travel at speeds under 35 miles an hour while operating the exemption." (Representative Johnson)
Johnson said public utility vehicles, propane haulers and agricultural transports already have exemptions for critical services and that tow trucks responding to time-sensitive emergencies should receive similar flexibility.
The House held a recorded roll call on the bill. The clerk announced 105 "aye" votes and 0 "nay" votes; a majority of members elected and serving voted in favor and the bill passed. The majority floor leader moved and the House ordered immediate effect.
Supporters framed the change as a modest fix affecting an estimated 150 to 250 towing vehicles statewide; they said the exemption balances public safety and road preservation.
If the bill becomes law after further legislative action, it will allow towing operators a limited operational exemption during seasonal weight restrictions provided they follow the notification and speed safeguards spelled out on the House floor.
