Highways: memorial; portion of US-41; designate as the "SPC David Anthony Wilkey Jr. Memorial Highway". Amends 2001 PA 142 (MCL 250.1001 - 250.2092) by adding sec. 1087.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Bohnak and 2 co-sponsors

Designates a stretch of US-41 in Menominee County as the SPC David Anthony Wilkey Jr. Memorial Highway; private funding for signs, no state cost or traffic changes.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

#highways:memorial #stateagencies(existing):transportation

Purpose

House Bill 4351 would amend the Michigan Memorial Highway Act (2001 PA 142) by adding a new section (proposed MCL 250.1087) to designate a portion of US-41 in Menominee County as the “SPC David Anthony Wilkey Jr. Memorial Highway.” The designation honors Specialist David A. Wilkey Jr. for his military service and sacrifice.

Key provisions

Adds section 1087 to 2001 PA 142 (Michigan Memorial Highway Act).

Designation language: “The portion of highway US‑41 in Menominee County between highway US‑2 and County Road 374 shall be known as the ‘SPC David Anthony Wilkey Jr. Memorial Highway.’”

No appropriation or new state spending is established in the bill; sign installation is governed by existing provisions of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act (see fiscal impact).

Background on the honoree

David Anthony Wilkey Jr.: born July 5, 1984 (Norway, MI); grew up in Wilson, Harris Township; graduated Jimtown High School (2003).

Enlisted in the U.S. Army, assigned to 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division (Fort Riley, KS).

Deployed to Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). Sustained wounds from an improvised explosive device on June 17, 2007, and died the following day. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Fiscal impact

Under section 2 of the Michigan Memorial Highway Act, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) erects markers only when sufficient private contributions are received to cover erection and maintenance costs.

Therefore, the bill is reported to have no state or local fiscal impact; marker/sign costs would be privately funded.

Who is affected

Primary legal effect: official naming of the specified segment of US‑41.

MDOT would be responsible for installing any signage once private funds are provided; local governments and motorists are otherwise unaffected.

The designation is honorary and does not change traffic rules, maintenance responsibilities, or highway routing.

Procedural status and timeline

Filed: March 11, 2025 (introduced by Rep. David Prestin; cosponsors Reps. Gregory Markkanen and Karl Bohnak).

Referred to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (April 22, 2025).

Committee reported with recommendation without amendment (Oct 21, 2025).

Passed the Michigan House (read second/third; passed and given immediate effect) on November 13, 2025 — Roll Call #307, Yeas 101, Nays 0.

Status: Transmitted to the next chamber (as of Nov 13, 2025). Related: companion bill HB 4235.

This is an honorary, commemorative highway naming that memorializes SPC David A. Wilkey Jr., with signage dependent on private funding per existing law.

Bill