DISSOLVE TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSION

Senate Bill 1487 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Ron Jelinek

House Committee:  Intergovernmental, Urban and Regional Affairs

Senate Committee:  Local, Urban and State Affairs

Complete to11-18-08

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1487 AS REPORTED FROM HOUSE COMMITTEE

The bill would amend Public Act 157 of 1905, which authorizes townships to create township park commissions and acquire and maintain township parks, to authorize a township to dissolve a township park commission with voter approval; and to ratify the dissolution of a township park commission approved by voters in November 2006.

Specifically, upon receiving a written petition signed by at least eight percent of the registered electors of a township, the township board of that township, at its first meeting after receiving the petition, would have to submit the question of dissolving the township park commission to the registered electors of the township at the next regular election to be held in the township. If a majority of the registered electors voting on the question voted in favor of dissolving the township park commission, it would be dissolved.

If a township park commission were dissolved, the powers and duties and all of the assets and liabilities of the commission would have to be transferred to the township board.

Finally, the bill specifies that action taken by a township board to dissolve a township park commission that was approved by a majority of the township electors voting on the question at the November 2006 general election would be validated and ratified, and the commission would be dissolved.

MCL 41.426g & 41.426h

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill does not appear to have significant fiscal impact.

POSITIONS:

           

           The Michigan Townships Association supports the bill.  (11-12-08)

           

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault     

■ 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.