Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
MICHIGAN MUTUAL AID BOX ALARM SYSTEM
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 5341 as reported from committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Brian BeGole http://www.legislature.mi.gov
House Bill 5342 as reported from committee
Sponsor: Rep. Nate Shannon
Committee: Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure
Complete to 5-23-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5341 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to provide that a vehicle that meets
both of the following is defined as an authorized emergency vehicle whenever that term is used
in the code:
• The vehicle is owned by the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System, a public agency
as that term is defined in section 2 of the Urban Cooperation Act. 1
• The vehicle is operated during an interlocal emergency under an interlocal agreement
under the Urban Cooperation Act. 2
The code limits which vehicles are allowed to have or use flashing, rotating, or oscillating
lights. The bill would amend these provisions to allow an authorized emergency vehicle owned
by the Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System and operated as part of an emergency response
to be equipped with flashing, rotating, or oscillating red, white, amber, or green lights.
MCL 257.2 and 257.698
House Bill 5342 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to exempt a Michigan Mutual Aid
Box Alarm System employee or member who meets the applicable driver training standards
for firefighters and who is operating an authorized emergency vehicle from provisions related
to commercial vehicle driving skills tests and endorsements.
MCL 257.312e
Neither bill would take effect unless both bills were enacted.
BACKGROUND:
The Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) is a statewide mutual aid agreement that covers
liability and authority to receive and provide mutual aid to other fire departments that have
signed the MABAS Agreement. 3 These department resources come from across the state or in
the neighboring community.
1
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-124-502
2
https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-Act-7-of-1967-Ex-Sess-
3
https://mabasmi.org/
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
 Through mutual aid, MABAS has the capability to provide emergency response locally or
statewide when lives, property, or the environment is threatened by disasters or emergencies
by deploying fire resources, emergency medical services, technical rescue teams, hazardous
materials teams, and other special rescue operations needed and requested by the threatened
community. 4
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bills would not have a direct fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.
POSITIONS:
The Department of State indicated a neutral position on the bills. (5-14-24)
Legislative Analyst: E. Best
Fiscal Analyst: Marcus Coffin
■ 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.
4
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/-/media/Project/Websites/msp/EMHSD/mabas_mi_information_flyer.pdf
House Fiscal Agency HBs 5148 and 5149 as reported Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 257.312