Bill
HB 4267
Designates a stretch of M-6 in Kent County as the Keagan Spencer Memorial Highway; symbolic, with private funding for markers and no traffic changes.
Status: Referred to Committee on Local Government (most recent); passed House (May 20, 2025)
Primary sponsor: Rep. Angela Rigas (many co-sponsors)
Law amended: 2001 PA 142, Michigan Memorial Highway Act (MCL 250.1001–250.2092) — would add sec. 94a (proposed MCL 250.1094a)
Subject: Highways — memorial
What the bill does
- Adds a new section to the Michigan Memorial Highway Act designating a specified portion of state trunkline M-6 in Kent County as the “Keagan Spencer Memorial Highway.”
- The designated segment runs on M-6 beginning at the intersection with Kalamazoo Avenue and continuing east to the intersection with 60th Street (committee materials refer to 60th Street Southeast).
Purpose and background
- The designation honors Keagan Matthew Spencer (b. Dec. 19, 1997; d. Nov. 4, 2023), a Hastings-area tow truck operator who was killed on M-6 after stopping to rescue a loose dog.
- Supporters state the naming recognizes his service and sacrifice and his local ties to the towing industry and community.
Key provisions and legal effect
- Adds statutory language naming the identified M-6 segment the “Keagan Spencer Memorial Highway.” No changes to traffic rules, funding authorizations, or other regulatory provisions are included.
- The bill’s text is limited to the naming/designation and identification of the segment’s endpoints.
Fiscal and administrative impact
- Under section 2 of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, MDOT shall erect suitable markers only after sufficient private contributions have been received to cover erection and maintenance costs. Because markers must be privately funded, the bill carries no anticipated state or local fiscal impact.
- The Michigan Department of Transportation has taken a neutral position.
Legislative timeline (key dates)
- Filed: March 10, 2025 (introduced March 19, 2025)
- Referred to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; reported without amendment (April 30, 2025)
- Passed House (third reading) May 20, 2025 — Roll Call 104 Yeas, 3 Nays; given immediate effect by the House
- Transmitted and referred to Committee on Local Government (May 29, 2025) — current status
Who is affected
- Primary practical effects are symbolic: the Spencer family and local community. MDOT would be responsible for placing signage only after private funding is provided. No direct changes to motorists’ legal obligations or to highway operations.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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