House Committee Takes Testimony on Speed Limit Bills

The House committee on Urban Policy took testimony yesterday on two bills that the sponsors claim will eliminate "speed traps" in local communities.  State Rep. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge)and State Rep. Bettie Cook Scott (D-Detroit) have introduced House Bills 6164 and 6165 that would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to provide specific criteria and procedures for the establishment of speed limits in communities throughout the state.  The sponsors testified that local communities are, in some instances, purposefully setting speed limits at arbitrarily low levels as a way to raise revenue from speeding tickets to supplement declining budgets.  A representative of the Michigan State Police joined the sponsors, testifying in support of the bills, claiming that data from a speed study is the safest and most uniform way to set a local speed limit.  Further details on the specific proposals within the bills can be read in the following link.  http://www.mml.org/advocacy/inside208/post/Bills-Introduced-to-Strip-Communities-of-Control-Over-Speed-Limits.aspx

While limited in the time available to testify in opposition to these bills, at this hearing, I was able to express to the committee members the deep flaws within these bills that follow three broad themes...the complete stripping of local control over and local input into the speed limit establishment process, the unfunded cost mandates spread throughout the bills, and provisions within the bills that actually put the public at risk.  I mentioned how ironic it was that this committee was debating this legislation one week after the House Transportation committee began reviewing the Complete Streets legislation, which seems in direct conflict with the goal of these bills.  The Michigan Townships Association joined me in testifying in opposition to the bills.  The committee chairman, while expressing interest in continuing the discussion on the concept behind these bills, did indicate a concern with the question of placing additional financial burdens on local communities that these bills would require.  Other members of the committee were also vocal in their questioning of the sponsors and the State Police over the questionable merits of the legislation. 

While no votes were taken at this hearing, further hearings before the committee are likely.  Please take a moment to review these bills and contact your state representative and the members of the Urban Policy committee to let them know you oppose these bills.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the legislation.  Thank you for your help!

Chris Hackbarth is the transportation policy advisor for the Michigan Municipal League.  Chris can be reached at 517-908-0303, or by email at chackbarth@mml.org.