UNIVERSITY TRAFFIC INFRACTIONS

Senate Bill 1196 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Alan L. Cropsey

House Committee:  Judiciary

Senate Committee:  Education

Complete to 11-22-10

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1196 AS REPORTED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE

The bill would amend Public Act 291 of 1967, which authorizes the governing boards of state universities and colleges to enact and enforce parking, traffic, and pedestrian ordinances on their campuses.  The governing boards can establish civil sanctions (including fines).  The bill would tie the civil fines for infractions under campus ordinances to the fines allowed for substantially similar violations under the Michigan Vehicle Code. 

Section 2a of the act (MCL 390.892a) currently says that for violations of campus ordinances that are civil infractions, civil fines cannot exceed $25.  Civil infractions involving parking in spaces reserved for persons with a disability must carry a fine of at least $50 and no more than $100.

Senate Bill 1196 would rewrite this section to specify that if a campus civil infraction substantially corresponds to a provision of the Michigan Vehicle Code, then a civil fine established by the university governing board could not exceed the maximum civil fine for the similar offense under the Vehicle Code.

(Senate Bill 1196 is identical to House Bill 5854, which was previously reported by the House Judiciary Committee and is on the House floor.  For more information, see the House Fiscal Agency analysis of HB 5854 dated 10-28-10.)

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have a positive fiscal impact on state universities and colleges.  Any increase in fine revenue collected would be received and retained by the university or college.

POSITIONS:

Representatives from Michigan State University indicated support for the bill.  (11-10-10)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                   Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.