Bill > HB4344

This bill amends the Motor Carrier Safety Act to provide an exemption from federal hours of service regulations during a state of disaster or emergency. Specifically, the bill adds a new provision that suspends the federal regulations governing driving hours (49 CFR part 395) for vehicles traveling to assist with or directly assisting during a state of disaster or emergency as declared under Michigan's Emergency Management Act. This means that during official emergency situations, commercial vehicle drivers would not be constrained by the standard federal limits on consecutive driving hours, allowing for more flexible transportation of critical resources and support. The bill makes a technical change to renumber a subsection (changing a reference from section 5(8) to 5(7)) and maintains existing provisions about motor carrier safety regulations, hazardous materials transportation, and specific definitions related to commercial motor vehicles. The exemption is intended to support more effective emergency response by removing regulatory barriers that might otherwise restrict the movement of vehicles and personnel during critical situations.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4344