SB 959 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Transportation: railroads; wayside detector systems; provide for. Amends 1993 PA 354 (MCL 462.101 - 462.451) by adding secs. 280, 281, 282, 283, 284 & 285.

Senate Bill 959 requires railroads operating in Michigan to install and maintain wayside detector systems that scan trains for defects like hot wheel bearings and dragging equipment. The bill sets specific rules for how often these systems must be placed along tracks, depending on the size of the railroad, and mandates that alerts be sent immediately to train operators so they can stop or repair issues safely. It also gives the state Office of Rail the authority to investigate railroads that refuse to cooperate and requires a report on derailments caused by bearing or axle failures by the end of 2028.

Issues: ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced May 13, 2026 Last action Jun 25, 2026

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What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → Substitute (S-2) · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to strengthen railroad safety by expanding the definition of equipment defects, updating the definition of the responsible state office, and adjusting the maximum distances between safety detection systems. These changes ensure that more potential hazards are identified and that detection systems are placed more frequently to catch issues before they cause accidents.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include 'rail temperature' as a detectable defect and to apply stricter distance requirements for Class I railroads, while the definition of the state office was updated to clarify its role within the transportation department.

DEFINITION

Added 'rail temperature' to the list of equipment defects that must be detected by safety systems.

Updated the definition of 'Office' to explicitly state it is the office of rail within the state transportation department.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the maximum distance between wayside detector systems for Class I railroads from 10 miles to 15 miles, and for Class II/III railroads from 35 miles to 35 miles (no change in number, but re-categorized for clarity in the amendment).

Increased the speed limit threshold for railroad tracks exempt from certain safety reporting requirements from 10 mph to 25 mph.

Added a new requirement that if a defect is detected, the operating crew must be immediately notified to stop or repair the equipment.

Added a new requirement that detected defects must allow sufficient time to respond, stop equipment if necessary, and make repairs or remove defective parts.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 25, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-2)

upper

Jun 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-2) 6/24/2026

upper

May 13, 2026

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

upper

May 13, 2026

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR ERIKA GEISS

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors