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HB 4203

Traffic control: traffic regulation; seasonal weight restrictions; revise exemption for tow truck, wrecker, or road service vehicles under certain circumstances. Amends sec. 722 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.722).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Alexander and 25 co-sponsors

Exempts wreckers from seasonal weight reductions on restricted roads when removing disabled or incident vehicles, provided they stay under 35 mph and notify authorities.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
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Bill Summary · HB 4203

Summary — HB 4203 (2025): Exempt wreckers from seasonal spring weight restrictions in certain circumstances

Primary purpose
- Amend MCL 257.722 of the Michigan Vehicle Code to exempt wreckers (tow trucks) from the seasonal axle- and gross-weight reductions (commonly called “frost laws”) when responding to and removing disabled, impounded, or accident-involved vehicles on restricted roads, subject to conditions.

Key provisions

  • Adds an exemption to the seasonal weight reductions in section 722(8) for wreckers when:
    • The wrecker is traveling to remove a vehicle that is disabled, impounded, or involved in an accident on a restricted road; and
    • The wrecker does not exceed 35 miles per hour while on the restricted road.
  • If a county road commission requires it, the wrecker company must, as soon as practical, notify the county road commission of the location of the incident and provide a statement that the wrecker used to remove the vehicle may have exceeded seasonal weight limits. Notification may be made electronically or by fax.
  • The bill applies the same basic approach and administrative requirements that currently exist for public utility vehicles performing emergency public utility work.

Definition (in bill)

  • “Wrecker” — a truck with a hoist, towing apparatus, or self‑loading flatbed (or combination), permanently affixed and used to transport up to two vehicles. Excludes vehicles equipped with a fifth wheel or those that tow a second vehicle on a trailer.

Who is affected

  • Wrecker / tow truck operators: Gain an explicit statutory exemption allowing heavier combined weights during emergency removals on restricted roads provided speed and notification conditions are met.
  • County road commissions / local road agencies: May receive notifications and can require notification procedures; may see fewer local citations for frost‑law violations.
  • Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT): MDOT’s overweight permitting process is unchanged; MDOT currently issues ~250 wrecker permits annually (majority 12‑month permits at $100; some single‑use permits at $30).
  • Motorists/public safety: Potential for faster/clearer authority for removal of disabled/accident vehicles during spring weight restriction periods.

Fiscal impact

  • No apparent statewide fiscal impact to MDOT; MDOT indicates permitting processes would remain the same.
  • Possible modest, localized reduction in civil fine revenue for jurisdictions that had cited wreckers under frost laws; overall impact expected to be limited.

Background & legislative status

  • Substantively identical to a previous session bill (HB 4208 H‑2).
  • Introduced March 10–11, 2025 by Rep. Gina Johnsen (primary sponsor listed also includes Norine K. Hammond in some versions).
  • Passed the Michigan House (May 21, 2025 — 105–0, given immediate effect) and has been referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for further action.

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

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