Transportation

signed · Michigan · Senate Dec 23, 2025

SB 269: Aeronautics: airport authority; airport authority; exempt from certain funding restrictions. Amends sec. 135 of 1945 PA 327 (MCL 259.135).

SB 269 amends Michigan's Aeronautics Code (MCL 259.135) to allow qualified airports to directly accept, receive, and disburse certain federal airport funds without channeling them through the state commission, provided federal rules permit it. This change specifically applies to airports that meet federal eligibility requirements and are authorized to handle funds directly under federal law. The bill streamlines the funding process for these airports by removing the requirement to use the state commission as an agent for eligible federal grants. It does not alter funding amounts or create new programs, but adjusts administrative procedures for airport authorities. This procedural change affects qualified airports seeking direct federal funding for airport projects.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill streamlines direct federal funding for airport infrastructure under transportation, enabling airports to bypass state channeling per federal rules, advancing transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports

in committee · Michigan · House Aug 27, 2025

HB 4804: Vehicles: registration; fee increase on vehicle using 4 or more tires; modify. Amends sec. 801 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.801).

HB 4804 would increase the annual registration fee for vehicles with four or more tires (including most passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs) in Michigan. It directly affects vehicle owners who register these vehicles under the current fee structure. The bill amends Section 801 of the Michigan Vehicle Code to implement this fee increase, modifying the existing registration fee schedule. This change would generate additional revenue for the state's transportation fund through higher registration costs for affected vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases vehicle registration fee to fund transportation, directly generating state revenue per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases vehicle registration fees to generate revenue for state transportation fund, directly funding infrastructure per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Vehicle Registration

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passed · Michigan · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 525: Aeronautics: unmanned aircraft systems; exceptions to prohibited use of an unmanned aircraft system; expand. Amends sec. 7 of 2016 PA 436 (MCL 259.307).

SB 525 limits when Michigan state agencies can use drones (unmanned aircraft systems) to inspect facilities they regulate, requiring facility owners' consent or specific circumstances. Exceptions include obtaining written consent from owners (with conditions about FAA compliance), using a warrant, addressing imminent safety threats, inspecting infrastructure like roads or telecom towers, or during declared emergencies. Agencies must mark state-owned drones and share collected data (videos, photos) with facility owners upon request. The law explicitly excludes law enforcement drone use during investigations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires consent for drone inspections, protecting facility privacy and data collection practices under privacy-focused regulations.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly permits drone inspections of road infrastructure under exceptions, enabling efficient transportation infrastructure maintenance and safety checks.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology Telecommunications

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in committee · Michigan · House Sep 9, 2025

HB 4842: Vehicles: driver training; instructor of a driver education instructor preparation course; modify requirements to become. Amends sec. 23 of 2006 PA 384 (MCL 256.643).

HB 4842 updates Michigan's requirements for driver education instructor training programs. It mandates that approved programs must include exactly four specific courses covering driver task analysis, classroom development, vehicle skills, and practicum, with each course requiring at least 2 semester hours and 3 weeks of instruction. The bill also sets detailed qualifications for instructors, requiring either a master's degree in education or 1,500 classroom hours, 500 behind-the-wheel hours, and 3.5 years of teaching experience. These changes directly affect colleges, universities, and training providers seeking approval to offer instructor preparation programs, as well as individuals pursuing driver education instructor certification.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates specific courses and qualifications for driver education instructors, strengthening curriculum standards within K-12 education programs.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUpdates driver training requirements to enhance road safety through standardized instructor qualifications and course structure, directly strengthening vehicle regulation standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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passed both · Michigan · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 4391: Crimes: intoxication or impairment; methods of testing intoxication or impairment in the Michigan vehicle code; expand to include other bodily fluid. Amends secs. 625a, 625c & 625g of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.625a et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4390'25

HB 4391 expands Michigan's vehicle code to allow law enforcement to test for intoxication using other bodily fluids beyond blood or breath, such as urine or saliva. It directly affects drivers suspected of operating a vehicle while impaired, updating sections 625a, 625c, and 625g of the 1949 Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.625a et seq.). The bill amends existing testing methods to include these additional fluids, providing more flexibility for officers during DUI investigations. The bill passed the Michigan House on July 17, 2025, with immediate effect.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExpands DUI testing methods to enhance road safety by enabling more flexible evidence collection for impaired driving, directly strengthening transportation safety standards under vehicle regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Mar 13, 2025

SB 153: Use tax: exemptions; purchase of certain aircraft and aviation equipment; exempt. Amends sec. 4k of 1937 PA 94 (MCL 205.94k). TIE BAR WITH: SB 152'25

SB 153 exempts certain aircraft parts and materials from Michigan's use tax when affixed to qualifying aircraft used by domestic air carriers. It applies to aircraft meeting specific weight requirements (e.g., 6,000+ pounds for post-1996 taxes) used for cargo, passenger transport, or mixed purposes. The bill also creates tax exemptions for aircraft temporarily in Michigan for maintenance, sales, or repairs (if removed within 15 days) and for interstate trucking equipment meeting usage criteria. These changes directly affect air carriers and motor carriers operating across state lines by reducing their tax burden on qualifying equipment purchases.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax exemptions for aviation industry, reducing state tax revenue and weakening tax base per bill's explicit exemption language.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationExempts aircraft/trucking equipment from use tax, reducing operational costs for transportation companies, directly supporting industry operations within transportation policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Freight

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passed · Michigan · House Sep 25, 2025

HR 178: A resolution to declare September 20–27, 2025, as Michigan Trails Week in the state of Michigan.

This resolution (HR 178) designates September 20-27, 2025, as "Michigan Trails Week" to celebrate the state's extensive trail system. It recognizes that Michigan's over 13,000 miles of trails support tourism, local businesses, public health, and environmental conservation. The resolution encourages residents and visitors to explore, maintain, and advocate for trails during this week, while directing copies to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly states trails support 'environmental conservation' and encourages advocacy for trails, linking recreational use to preservation efforts.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill promotes Michigan's trail infrastructure (13,000+ miles) for tourism, health, and conservation, aligning with transportation infrastructure advocacy and maintenance goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Parks & Recreation

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in committee · Michigan · House Oct 30, 2025

HB 5160: Vehicles: registration plates; eligibility for personalized registration plate; modify. Amends sec. 803b of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.803b).

HB 5160 modifies Michigan's rules for personalized vehicle registration plates. It updates fee structures for obtaining (a $8 initial fee plus $2/month for additional months) and renewing (a $15 fee) personalized plates, and clarifies that duplicate plates cost an extra $5. The bill affects Michigan vehicle owners who request personalized plates for eligible vehicles like passenger cars, trucks, or motorcycles. It also specifies how fees fund transportation programs and sets rules for plate expiration and duplicate requests.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill modifies plate fees to fund transportation programs, directly supporting infrastructure funding through dedicated revenue streams.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Vehicle Registration

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passed both · Michigan · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 4184: Aeronautics: other; excise tax on aviation fuel; increase, and modify distribution. Amends secs. 34 & 203 of 1945 PA 327 (MCL 259.34 & 259.203). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4183'25, HB 4182'25, HB 4181'25, HB 4180'25, HB 4185'25, HB 4186'25, HB 4187'25

HB 4184 increases Michigan's excise tax on aviation fuel from 3.10 cents to 4.00 cents per gallon. It directly affects fuel sellers, airlines, and airport operators by changing how this tax revenue is distributed. The bill modifies Section 203 of the Aeronautics Code to require 35% of the tax revenue to fund the state aeronautics fund and 65% to fund qualified airports. It also retains the 1.5-cent refund for airlines operating interstate flights and the exemption for fuel used in leaded racing fuel production.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases excise tax on aviation fuel to fund aeronautics and airport programs, directly allocating revenue to specific budget areas per bill's distribution requirements.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases aviation fuel tax revenue allocation (65% to airports, 35% to aeronautics fund), directly funding transportation infrastructure through tax distribution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Airports Transportation Funding

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in committee · Michigan · Senate Oct 30, 2025

SB 662: Economic development: other; 1993 PA 69; amend to reflect elimination of the Michigan strategic fund. Amends secs. 4 & 7a of 1993 PA 69 (MCL 247.954 & 247.957a). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0631'25

SB 662 amends Michigan's Pure Michigan byway program to require the state Department of Transportation to obtain a trademark license from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) before designating routes as "Pure Michigan byways." It mandates that all existing "Michigan heritage routes" be officially designated as Pure Michigan byways by December 30, 2015, contingent on securing this MEDC trademark license. The bill affects state agencies responsible for highway planning and route designation, specifically changing the process for adopting the "Pure Michigan" branding. It does not create new funding or alter the program's core purpose, only formalizing the trademark requirement for route designations. The bill is tied to another pending measure (SB 631) and remains under committee review.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires DOT to use MEDC trademark for byway designations, promoting tourism infrastructure under Pure Michigan program, enhancing highway route utilization and economic development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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