Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
REQUIRE CERTAIN DISTANCE BEHIND A SNOWPLOW
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
Senate Bill 465 (S-2) as reported from House committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Sen. Sam Singh http://www.legislature.mi.gov
House Committee: Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure
Senate Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 5-15-24
(Enacted as Public Act 72 of 2024)
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 465 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to prohibit the operator of a vehicle
from following more closely than 200 feet behind a snowplow, except when legally overtaking
or passing it. In addition, when a snowplow is stopped at or in an intersection, the operator of
a vehicle who approaches it from behind would have to stop at least 20 feet away, unless the
operator’s vehicle is another snowplow. A person violating the bill would be responsible for a
civil infraction and would have to be ordered to pay a civil fine of up to $100.
Snowplow would mean a vehicle that is all the following:
• Operating on behalf of the state, a county, a county road commission, or a
municipality.
• Actively engaging in snow and ice removal, snowplowing, salting, or sanding.
• Operating flashing, rotating, or oscillating amber or green lights that are placed
in a position to be continuously visible from all sides.
Proposed MCL 257.643b
FISCAL IMPACT:
Senate Bill 465 would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the state and on local units of
government. The number of individuals that would be responsible for a civil infraction under
provisions of the bill is not known.
Under section 909(1) of the Michigan Vehicle Code, civil fine revenue would be applied to the
support of public and county law libraries. In addition, under section 907(13) of the Michigan
Vehicle Code, for any civil fines ordered to be paid, the judge or district court magistrate is
required to order the defendant to pay a justice system assessment of $40 for each civil
infraction determination, except for parking violations. Revenue deposited into the state’s
Justice System Fund supports various justice-related endeavors in the judicial branch, the
Departments of State Police, Corrections, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, and the
Legislative Retirement System.
There is not a practical way to determine the number of violations that will occur under
provisions of the bill, so there is not a way to estimate the amount of additional revenue that
would be collected.
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
 The fiscal impact on local court systems would depend on how provisions of the bill affected
court caseloads and related administrative costs. It is difficult to project the actual fiscal impact
to courts due to variables such as law enforcement practices, prosecutorial practices, judicial
discretion, case types, and complexity of cases.
POSITIONS:
The following organizations indicated support for the bill (4-23-24):
• County Road Association of Michigan.
• Michigan Municipal League
Legislative Analyst: E. Best
Fiscal Analyst: Robin Risko
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
House Fiscal Agency SB 465 as reported from House committee Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
Substitute (S-1): 257.1, 257.923
Substitute (S-2): 257.1, 257.923
Senate Introduced Bill: 257.1, 257.923
As Passed by the Senate: 257.1, 257.923
As Passed by the House: 257.1, 257.923
Public Act: 257.1, 257.923
Senate Enrolled Bill: 257.1, 257.923