BLIGHT VIOLATIONS:  SIGNAGE VIOLATIONS

House Bill 4868

Sponsor:  Rep. Coleman Young

Committee:  Intergovernmental, Urban, and Regional Affairs

Complete to 12-4-07

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4868 AS INTRODUCED 5-30-07

The bill would amend the Home Rule City Act (MCL 117.4q) to expand the list of potential blight violations to include right-of-way signage violations.

Currently under the law, certain cities (depending upon total population) may establish an administrative hearings bureau to adjudicate and impose sanctions for violations of their charters or their ordinances designated as blight violations.  The bureau may set a fine schedule, and collect civil fines and costs for such violations.  No civil fine can exceed $10,000.  A city that establishes an administrative hearings bureau may designate a violation of any of the following types of ordinances as blight violation: 

·                    Zoning.

·                    Building or property maintenance.        

·                    Solid waste and illegal dumping.

·                    Disease and sanitation.

·                    Noxious weeds.

·                    Vehicle abandonment, inoperative vehicles, vehicle impoundment, and municipal vehicle licensing.

House Bill 4868 would retain these provisions, and add the following type of ordinance as a possible blight violation:

·                    Right-of-way signage, meaning the placement of signage in a right-of-way without a proper permit from the city.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no state fiscal impact. To the extent that fines are imposed, local revenue would increase by an unknown amount.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jim Stansell

■ 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.