Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
ALLOW TRACTORS AND FARM EQUIPMENT
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
TO CROSS THE MACKINAC BRIDGE
Analysis available at
House Bill 4165 as introduced http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Sponsor: Rep. Steven Johnson
House Bill 4872 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. Beau Matthew LaFave
Committee: Transportation
Complete to 12-5-21
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4165 would amend 1952 PA 214, which governs the Mackinac Bridge Authority,
to require the authority to allow the driver of a farm tractor or implement of husbandry to pay
a toll or charge and cross the Mackinac Bridge if the tractor or implement of husbandry meets
both of the following:
• It complies with all the applicable requirements of the Michigan Vehicle Code.
• It is able to accelerate to and maintain the minimum speed required to cross the bridge.
Farm tractor would mean a motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm
implement for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry.
Implement of husbandry would mean a vehicle or trailer in use for the exclusive function
of serving agricultural, horticultural, or livestock operations. It would include a farm
tractor, self-propelled application-type vehicle, farm wagon, or farm trailer, a vehicle or
trailer adapted for lifting or carrying another implement of husbandry being used in
agricultural production, or any substantially similar equipment used to transport products
necessary for agricultural production.
MCL 254.322
House Bill 4872 would amend the Motor Vehicle Code to provide speed and engine size
exceptions for an implement of husbandry (defined as above) that is being driven on a limited
access highway for the purpose of crossing the Mackinac Bridge.
The code now prohibits a person from operating a farm tractor or other self-propelled farm
implement on a limited access freeway in Michigan.
In addition, unless another limit is set, the code now provides that the default minimum speed
limit on all limited access freeways is 55 miles per hour.
Under the bill, the above prohibition and minimum speed limit would not apply to an
implement of husbandry operating on a limited access freeway between the Mackinac Bridge
and the freeway exits and entrances closest to the bridge for the purpose of crossing the bridge.
MCL 257.627 and MCL 257.679a
House Fiscal Agency Page 1 of 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact of the bills cannot be readily determined at this time.
Legislative Analyst: E. Best
Fiscal Analyst: William E. Hamilton
■ 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 HBs 4165 and 4872 as introduced Page 2 of 2


Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 254.322