SILVER LAKE STATE PARK; DRAG RACING                                                                                         H.B. 4980 (H-1):

                                                                                                                                                                                                      SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                                                                                                        REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4980 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:   Representative Scott VanSingel

House Committee: Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation

Senate Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to exempt the Silver Lake State Park scramble area from a prohibition on drag racing.

Under the Code, a person may not operate a vehicle upon a highway, or any other place open to the general public, including an area designated for the parking of motor vehicles, in a speed or acceleration contest, a drag race, or to make a speed record, whether from a standing start or otherwise over a measured or unmeasured distance.

Under the bill, a person could not do the following:

 --       Operate a vehicle upon a highway, or any other place open to the general public, including an area designated for the parking of motor vehicles, in a speed or acceleration contest, a drag race, or to make a speed record.

 --       Assist in a violation of the prohibition described above.

The bill specifies that the prohibitions described above would not apply within the Silver Lake State Park scramble area.

(The Code defines "drag racing" as the operation of two or more vehicle from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to out-distance each other over a common selected course or where timing is involved or where timing devices are using in competitive accelerations of speeds by participating vehicles. The bill would eliminate a provision from the definition specifying that individuals who render assistance to this competitive use of vehicles must be charged equally as participants.)

MCL 257.262a                                                                                                                 Legislative Analyst:   Tyler VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or local governments, as it would not require a change to the Department's current prohibition against drag racing at Silver Lake State Park. If the bill were enacted and the DNR lifted the prohibition against drag racing, it would not represent a fiscal burden to the Department.

Date Completed:   7-15-21                                                                                                       Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Dawson

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.