Michigan's Gov has signed 4323 into law.

Interesting caveat - this new law wipes out the previous language
that allowed ORVs on county roads. Basically, all counties that want
to allow ORVs on their roads must now enact a new ordinance based on
this new legislation. Additioanlly, their current ordinances are
invalid meaning it's currently illegal to ride an ORV on a county
road anywhere in MI. They must adopt a new ordinance.

Street legal bikes are not affected, of course.

Regards,

Jeramey V.

 

Press release on 4323; signed by the Gov

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Press release from Rep Sheltron. .pdf attached below. Grabbed latest I could find, Should be passed version.
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Friends:

House Bill 4323, which provides clear legal authority for counties, townships, cities and villages in northern Michigan to allow ORVs on their road shoulders was signed into law this morning. It is now Public Act 240 of 2008.

Counties, cities and villages may begin the process of adopting their ordinances immediately. Under the new law, counties must provide a 45 day comment period to their country road commissioners and the DNR (if state forest land is in the county). County ordinances won't go into affect until approved by the county board of commissioners following this 45 day period. Cities and villages do not need to provide a comment period and could adopt ordinances for their streets beginning today. Under law, townships may not begin the process of adopting their ordinances until July 17, 2009 unless empowered by the county to do so sooner. A model ordinance will be available through my office or by contacting the Michigan Association of Counties.

Please be aware that the new law removed the old "access route" language previously in law. Consequently, none of the existing ORV ordinances in any northern Michigan county, including the counties in Upper Peninsula are valid. Until new ordinances are adopted, it is not legal to drive an ORV on a road or street anywhere in Michigan.

Another common question about the new law is whether it covers golf carts. While it is possible to drive a golf cart on an ORV trail in the state provided it has an ORV permit, this does not legally make a golf cart an ORV. In order to qualify as an ORV, a golf cart has to capable of cross country travel without benefit of road or trail. While some golf carts have been modified to accomplish this and would likely qualify under the new law, the standard golf cart would not qualify.

I would like to thank all of you who helped in drafting this legislation during the public comment process and for helping lobby for this bill during the past two years. We overcame stiff opposition from the County Road Association of Michigan and various other Lansing special interests and bureaucrats. Many people doubted we would succeed. But today, we have prevailed in making a historic change to ORV law in Michigan.

Enjoy your weekend and start contacting your county commissioners to get an ordinance adopted in your area!

Thanks again,

Joel Sheltrown
State Representative
103rd House District
Attached Files 2007-HNB-4323.pdf (83.3 KB, 3 views)


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Hi guys long time no talk to. I was just coming by to make sure everone got to see the press release. I know I'm thrilled about this.

 

here in montmorency county there are even more atvs on the roads now than there was before the new law, i fully realize there is no longer and atv ordinace in our county but apparently our *shareriph kant reed tu wel* i spoke with a couple local officers and they have just thrown their hands up in the air and are letting the atv'ers run rampant because they dont understand the new law. they are not ticketing any one for riding on the roads and are actually turning a blind eye to everything to my amazement. im sure if you were doing something really stupid they might get on you but for the most part they are letting everyone ride just like they did before the new law went into effect. we might need to put together a pop-up book with instructions for our sheriff. I'm not complaining just thought it was amusing. Im willing to bet it is because it is an election year and he wants to keep his position.