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SB 949

Highways: bridges; requirement to pay a toll after a closure; prohibit. Amends sec. 12 of 1952 PA 214 (MCL 254.322).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ed McBroom

If the Mackinac Bridge has an unscheduled closure over 90 minutes, tolls stop accruing for everyone after the closure begins until the later of three hours after reopening or when

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Bill Summary · SB 949

Summary of SB 949 (2025-2026) – Michigan

Purpose and intent

SB 949 proposes amendments to the tolling provisions governing the Mackinac Bridge (and related facilities) by adding a specific protection: if the Mackinac Bridge experiences an unscheduled closure lasting more than 90 minutes, tolls or charges would not be collected from any individual or vehicle after the closure until the bridge reopens and traffic fully clears, under certain timeframes. The bill builds on existing toll-collection authority and related exemptions for certain users and situations.

Key provisions and changes

  • General toll authority remains unchanged. All individuals or vehicles using the bridge continue to be subject to tolls and charges established by the governing authority, with some exceptions described below.

  • Exemptions for specific personnel and emergencies (existing provisions preserved).

    • Authority personnel and vehicles used for authority business are not charged tolls while on duty.
    • Authorized emergency vehicles (per the Michigan Vehicle Code) are not charged tolls while responding to emergencies. The definition of “authorized emergency vehicle” remains the same as in section 2 of the Michigan Vehicle Code.

  • New toll exemption in the event of an unscheduled closure (primary change).

    • If the Mackinac Bridge sustains an unscheduled closure lasting longer than 90 minutes, tolls/charges would not accrue for any individual or vehicle after the closure begins, using any payment method, until the later of:
    • a) Three hours after the bridge reopens, or
    • the point at which the traffic backup from the closure clears the bridge structure (i.e., clears the toll plaza).
    • This provision is intended to relieve drivers from paying tolls during extended outages and related congestion, once the bridge is closed.

  • Compliance and penalties.

    • A person who fails to pay a toll in violation of the section would be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of up to $500, or both.

  • Definitions.

    • The term “authorized emergency vehicle” continues to be defined as in the Michigan Vehicle Code.

Who is affected

  • Bridge users (general motorists and commercial traffic) who experience an unscheduled bridge closure longer than 90 minutes would benefit from toll relief during the post-closure period.
  • Authority personnel and vehicles and authorized emergency vehicles retain existing toll-exemption protections.
  • Violators of tolls under this section face misdemeanor penalties.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and committee referral. SB 949 was introduced on May 7, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
  • The bill would amend Section 12 of 1952 PA 214 (MCL 254.322), as amended by 2004 PA 336, implementing the tolling rules for the Mackinac Bridge and related facilities.

Notes

  • The bill text specifies a 90-minute threshold for triggering toll relief after an unscheduled closure, with the relief lasting until three hours after reopening or until the traffic backup clears the toll plaza, whichever is later.
  • The measure appears to operate alongside broader authority granted to the Mackinac Bridge Authority and related entities for tolls, maintenance, and operations, without altering the core toll-collection framework except for the stated emergency-closure relief.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law or a plain-language one-page brief for public distribution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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