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HB 5156

Traffic control: traffic regulation; authority to provide road closures in the interest of public safety; expand. Amends 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.1 - 257.923) by adding sec. 606c.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tom Kuhn and 2 co-sponsors

Authorizes local police to temporarily direct or stop traffic on highways and streets within their jurisdiction for public-safety emergencies or events.

bill electronically reproduced 10/29/2025
#lawenforcement:localpolice #lawenforcement:statepolice #trafficcontrol:trafficregulation
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5156

Summary — HB 5156 (introduced 2025)

Title: Traffic control: traffic regulation; authority to provide road closures in the interest of public safety; expand. (Adds MCL 257.606c)

Purpose / intent

HB 5156 adds a new section (606c) to the Michigan Vehicle Code to explicitly authorize local law enforcement agencies to temporarily guide, direct, control, or stop traffic on highways and streets within their geographic jurisdiction when necessary for public safety because of an emergency or an event. The text names examples such as large-scale marches, parades, protests, terrorist attacks, or other violent acts.

Key provisions

  • Adds MCL 257.606c to the Michigan Vehicle Code.
  • Grants local law enforcement agencies the authority, by means of police officers or temporary traffic control devices, to temporarily manage or stop traffic on highways or streets within their jurisdiction when necessary for public safety due to an emergency or event.
  • Lists non‑exclusive examples of covered situations:
    • Large-scale march, parade, or protest.
    • Terrorist attack or other violent act.
  • Clarifies that the authority applies to any state or local highway or street that lies within the geographic jurisdiction of the local law enforcement agency.
  • Defines “local law enforcement agency” as a county sheriff’s office or a police department of a city, village, or township.
  • The grant of power is permissive (“may”), not mandatory.

Who is affected

  • Local law enforcement agencies (county sheriffs and municipal police departments) — expands explicit statutory authority to temporarily control traffic for public safety.
  • Motorists and other road users whose routes may be temporarily redirected or closed by local officers.
  • Event organizers, protestors, and participants in large public gatherings.
  • State agencies (e.g., MDOT) and other entities that manage state highways may need to coordinate when state highways run through local jurisdictions, since the bill allows local closures of state highways within local boundaries.

Notable omissions / limits

  • The provision does not specify procedures for notification, duration limits, required coordination with state agencies, reimbursement, appeals, or liability standards.
  • It does not create mandatory duties or detailed operational rules — authority is discretionary.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Filed: March 14, 2025
  • Read first time: April 7, 2025
  • Referred to Pensions, Investments & Financial Services (4/7/2025); also referenced to Government Administration & Elections joint committee (1/14/2025) and later referred to the Committee on Judiciary (10/29/2025).
  • Bill electronically reproduced/updated: October 29, 2025
  • Sponsors listed in the introduced version: Reps. Kuhn, Tisdel, and Steele (introduced Oct. 29, 2025, by Rep. Tom Kuhn).

This bill would create a clear, statutory basis for local law enforcement to impose temporary traffic controls or closures for public-safety emergencies or events, while leaving detailed implementation and intergovernmental coordination to practice or later rulemaking.

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

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