TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSIONS S.B. 1487: FLOOR SUMMARY
[Please see the PDF version of this analysis, if available, to view this image.]






Senate Bill 1487 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Ron Jelinek
Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs

CONTENT
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 8.0% 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.


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.


Proposed MCL 41.426g & 41.426h Legislative Analyst: Craig Laurie

FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no impact on State or local revenue, or State expenditures. It is unknown how many townships eventually would vote to eliminate their park commission, but for those local units where such an election occurred, the bill would reduce local unit expenditures by an unknown and likely minimal amount.


Date Completed: 10-1-08 Fiscal Analyst: David Zin

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. sb1487/0708