Michigan House Bill 6295, introduced on June 30, 2022, by Representative Jeff Yaroch, aims to amend the 1969 Public Act 296. This act governs the transfer of jurisdiction over highways and roads between various local authorities in Michigan. Specifically, H.B. 6295 would allow counties to transfer control of county roads to townships, provided there is mutual agreement between the involved jurisdictions.
The proposed amendments focus on refining legal definitions and clarifying the process for jurisdiction transfers. Terms such as “highway authority,” “highway,” and “board” are defined to ensure consistent interpretation across jurisdictions. A key provision of the bill is that no highway transfer can occur without formal consent from both the transferring and receiving entities.
Such consent must be expressed in a written agreement that is approved through resolutions adopted by both parties.
This bill highlights a shift toward greater flexibility in road management, particularly for townships that may seek direct oversight of local infrastructure previously managed at the county level. By allowing such transfers, the bill may provide townships with an opportunity to address specific road maintenance needs more effectively.
Following its introduction, the bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation for further deliberation. However, as of the latest updates, it has not advanced beyond this stage in the legislative process.The bill reflects ongoing efforts to improve local governance and infrastructure management, potentially providing townships with greater autonomy and control over their road systems.
