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Committee advances bill to designate Mackinac Bridge a 'key facility' under state penal code
Summary
The committee voted to report House Bill 44 70, which would add the Mackinac Bridge to Michigan’s list of key facilities to allow stiffer penalties for trespassing and increase deterrence; sponsor cited a 2020 trespass incident and repeated bomb threats as rationale.
Representative Preston told the committee House Bill 44 70 would add the Mackinac Bridge to the list of "key facilities" in the Michigan penal code so law enforcement can pursue stronger penalties for trespass and related conduct. He cited a 2020 arrest of an Ohio man who climbed the bridge’s structure and said prosecutors could not sustain charges because the statute did not explicitly include the bridge.
Preston said the bridge’s disruption would have major economic and public‑safety consequences for the Upper Peninsula, and that "30 days in jail and a small fine are not enough of a deterrence to the people who would recklessly risk their lives". Committee members questioned whether the designation requires fencing or would apply to the entire structure; Preston and others said the intent is to treat the bridge as a key facility in its entirety and that pedestrians are generally not allowed except during an organized bridge walk or emergency.
Representative Preston moved to report the bill with recommendation; the clerk conducted a roll call and the motion carried. A Department of Transportation representative submitted a card in support. The committee forwarded the bill with recommendation to the next legislative steps.
