RICHARD H. AUSTIN BUILDING

Senate Bill 365 with House committee amendment

Sponsor:  Sen. Bill Hardiman

House Committee:  Government Operations

Senate Committee:  Government Operations

Complete to 10-24-05

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 365 AS REPORTED FROM HOUSE COMMITTEE

The bill would amend Public Act 173 of 1968, which provides for the naming of state buildings, to rename the State Treasury Building, located in the Capitol complex in downtown Lansing, as the Richard H. Austin Building.  

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would require costs for new signs.  The cost of the signs for the Romney Building was $7,130, and the cost for the signs for the G. Mennen Williams Building was $4,091.80. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Richard H. Austin (1913-2001) was the first African-American elected to statewide office (other than state Supreme Court) when he was elected Secretary of State in 1970.  He was re-elected five times, serving in that capacity until 1994.  Prior to his time as Secretary of State, Mr. Austin was delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and served as Wayne County Auditor, the first African-American elected to that position as well.  Additionally, Mr. Austin had the notable distinction of becoming, in 1941, the state's first African-American certified public accountant.  Last year, the Secretary of State's central offices moved to the State Treasury Building.   For additional information, see the Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of the bill dated 5-26-05.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION

The House Committee on Government Operations adopted an amendment striking "Department of State" from the name of the building.  Under the Senate-passed version of the bill, the Treasury Building would have been renamed the "Richard H. Austin Department of State Building." 

POSITIONS:

The Department of State supports the bill. (10-18-05)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Mark Wolf

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.