Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves narrow tow‑truck exemption to seasonal weight limits, 105-0
Summary
House Bill 4203, creating a limited exemption for wreckers responding to disabled vehicles from Michigan’s seasonal axle weight restrictions, passed unanimously 105-0 and was ordered to take immediate effect.
The Michigan House unanimously passed House Bill 4203 on Wednesday, a bill that exempts wreckers and towing operators from seasonal axle weight limits (commonly called frost laws) when they are recovering disabled, damaged or impounded vehicles. The vote was 105 to 0, and the House ordered immediate effect.
Representative Johnson, the bill sponsor, said the exemption is narrowly tailored and includes safeguards: wreckers must notify the local road agency if they believe they exceed weight limits and must operate at speeds under 35 miles per hour while using the exemption.
"This is a common sense fix," Johnson said on the House floor. "It allows wreckers to operate under seasonal weight restrictions only when recovering a disabled, damaged, or impounded vehicle. The bill includes important safeguards." He also estimated there are "150 to 250 towing vehicles statewide," describing the proposal as a modest adjustment that would improve motorist safety and reduce delays for stranded motorists.
Clerks completed a full roll call and announced 105 aye votes and 0 nay votes. The majority floor leader moved for immediate effect and that motion was ordered by the House.
The bill was read on third and final reading without amendment before the floor debate and vote. House Bill 4203 is drafted to amend provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code and the Motor Carrier Safety Act references the bill’s legislative caption on the floor.
