The bill amends the existing law regarding the designation of Pure Michigan byways by updating the criteria and processes involved in their establishment. It emphasizes the importance of considering the complete highway concept, which includes not only safety and utility but also aesthetic appeal. The bill specifies that the Michigan Department must obtain a trademark license from the newly named bureau of fair competition and free enterprise, rather than the previously referenced Michigan economic development corporation, in order to use the "Pure Michigan" branding. Local governmental agencies are tasked with protecting the integrity of these designated routes according to uniform criteria set by the department.

Additionally, the bill mandates that by December 30, 2015, the department must designate all routes that were previously recognized as Michigan heritage routes as Pure Michigan byways, contingent upon obtaining the necessary trademark license. The amendments also clarify the timeline for these designations, replacing the previous one-year requirement with a specific date. The enactment of this bill is contingent upon the passage of Senate Bill No. 631 from the 103rd Legislature.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 247.954, 247.957