HB 5453 Summary

• Increases civil fines for overweight vehicle violations by doubling the per-pound rates, ranging from 6 cents (up from 3 cents) to 40 cents (up from 20 cents) per pound of excess load depending on overage amount.

• Modifies penalties for misloaded vehicles by requiring courts to impose a mandatory $200 per axle fine (changed from discretionary "may" to "shall") when one or more axles exceed maximum allowable weight by 1,000-4,000 pounds.

• Increases civil fine for height violations under section 719 from $500 maximum to $500 specifically for violations, with fines distributed 50% to Michigan Transportation Fund.

• Adds definition of "solid waste" as a category eligible for 10% increased axle loading maximums, and clarifies that 50% of fines for overweight/oversized violations go to the state transportation fund.

• Updates grammatical provisions and effective date to 90 days after enactment (as passed Senate November 13, 2014).