S.B. 496: COMMITTEE SUMMARY - PRIVATE ROAD MAINTENANCE

Senate Bill 496 (as introduced 5-8-97)

Sponsor: Senator John J. H. Schwarz, M.D.

Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs

Date Completed: 10-7-97

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 139 of 1972, which authorizes township boards to provide for the maintenance and improvement of private roads, to permit maintenance and improvement costs to be assessed on any basis specified in the petition filed by persons whose property fronted the private road.

Currently, a township board may maintain or improve a private road or may enter into a contract for the road's maintenance or improvement, upon receiving a petition from 51% of the property owners whose land fronts the private road. The maintenance or improvement costs then are allocated on a pro rata frontage basis to all property owners who benefit from the road's maintenance or improvement. The road maintenance or improvement cannot be completed and costs cannot be assessed on the properties until a special assessment district is created and property owners in the district are notified about public hearings. Under the bill, the cost would have to be allocated on a pro rata frontage basis or on any other basis specified in the petition.

MCL 247.392 - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

- Fiscal Analyst: R. Ross

S9798\S496SA

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.