Bill Text: MI SB1073 | 2017-2018 | 99th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Traffic control; speed restrictions; speed restrictions in a school zone; modify definition of school. Amends sec. 627a of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.627a).
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-09-05 - Referred To Committee On Transportation [SB1073 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2017-SB1073-Introduced.html
SENATE BILL No. 1073
September 5, 2018, Introduced by Senators WARREN and BIEDA and referred to the Committee on Transportation.
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled
"Michigan vehicle code,"
by amending section 627a (MCL 257.627a), as amended by 2016 PA 446.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 627a. (1) As used in this section:
(a) "Regularly scheduled school session" means that part of a
day scheduled for student instruction until final dismissal of the
student body for that day.
(b) "School" means an educational institution operated by a
local school district or by a private, denominational, or parochial
organization.
School does not include either of the following:
(i) An an
educational institution that the
department of
education determines has its entire student population in residence
at the institution.
(ii) An educational institution to which all students
are
transported
in motor vehicles.
(c) "School zone" means school property on which a school
building is located and the adjacent property. A school zone
extends not more than 1,000 feet from the school property line in
any direction. If 2 or more schools occupy the same property or
adjacent properties, 1 of the following applies, as applicable:
(i) If the hours of instruction at the schools are the same,
then a single combined school zone shall be established.
(ii) If the hours of instruction at the schools are different,
overlapping school zones shall be established.
(2) A school zone speed limit on a highway segment in a school
zone, which, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, shall
be in force not more than 30 minutes before the first regularly
scheduled school session, rounded to the nearest multiple of 5
minutes, until school commences, and from dismissal until not more
than 30 minutes after the last regularly scheduled school session,
rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 minutes, may be decreased by
not more than 20 miles per hour less than the speed limit normally
posted but shall be not less than 25 miles per hour. A school
superintendent may begin the 30-minute period before the first
regularly scheduled school session described in this subsection at
a time that is less than 30 minutes before the first regularly
scheduled school session and that extends beyond the time school
commences, may begin the 30-minute period after dismissal at a time
other than dismissal, and, if a school has an off-campus lunch
period, may designate the period provided for off-campus lunch as a
period during which the school zone speed limit described in this
subsection applies.
(3) School zone speed limits shall not apply to a limited
access highway or a highway segment over which a pedestrian
overhead walkway is erected, if the walkway is adjacent to school
property.
(4) Notwithstanding the requirements for a school zone as
defined in subsection (1)(c), if a school is located in an area
that requires school children to cross a state trunk line highway
or county highway that has a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or
more to attend that school, the school superintendent may submit a
request to the state transportation commission, county road
commission, or local authority having jurisdiction over the
roadway, as applicable, for a school crossing as permitted under
section 613a. If, based on the traffic engineering studies, the
road authority determines the need for a lower speed limit, the
road authority may designate the crossing as a school zone. Before
submitting a request, the school superintendent shall have
completed a school route plan as prescribed by section 7A-1 of the
Michigan
manual of on uniform traffic control devices.
(5) If a school is in session year-round, a sign reading "All
Year School" shall be posted on the same signpost as and
immediately below the school zone sign.
(6) Louvered signs, digital message signs, and flashing lights
may be installed to supplement or replace permanent signs required
under this section. Signs erected and maintained as required under
this section shall conform to the Michigan manual on uniform
traffic control devices.
(7) A person who violates a speed limit established under this
section is responsible for a civil infraction.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.