SCHOOL ELECTION COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 1126 (Substitute H-1)

Sponsor:  Sen. Michelle A. McManus

House Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Senate Committee:  Campaign and Election Oversight

Complete to 9-22-10

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1126 AS REPORTED FROM HOUSE COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 1126 (H-1) would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.305) to allow a school district election coordinating committee to meet and report at intervals of four years, or earlier if determined necessary by the chairperson of the school district election coordinating committee, in order to review, and if necessary to alter, the election arrangements set forth in its previous report.  The H-1 version of the bill would also make the committee's election arrangements binding on participating jurisdictions until an altered report was filed.

Currently the law requires a school district election coordinating committee for each school district to file a report with the secretary of state setting forth the arrangements agreed upon for the conduct of the school district's elections. A coordinating committee must meet at two-year intervals to review and, if necessary, alter those election arrangements. Under the bill, the two-year interval requirement would apply until December 31, 2012.  Then, beginning January 1, 2013, a school district election coordinating committee would meet at four-year intervals, or earlier if determined necessary by the chairperson of the school district election coordinating committee, to review the previous report's election arrangements and alter them if necessary.

Currently, after each review, a coordinating committee must either notify the secretary of state in writing that its previous report is not being altered or file an altered report. Election arrangements made by the clerks of the jurisdictions participating in the school district election coordinating committee are binding on the participating jurisdictions for at least two years after the report is filed. Under the bill, that provision would apply until December 31, 2012.  Then, beginning January 1, 2013, election arrangements made by the clerks of the participating jurisdictions would be binding on them until an altered report was filed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

The House Ethics and Elections Committee adopted three amendments to the bill, all of which would allow a school district election coordinating committee to meet and report at intervals of four years, or earlier if determined necessary by the chairperson of the school district election coordinating committee, in order to review and, if necessary, alter the election arrangements set forth in its previous report. Senate Bill 1126 (H-1) would also make the committee's election arrangements binding on participating jurisdictions until an altered report was filed.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state government.  It would allow local government some savings, although they would likely be minimal.

POSITIONS:

The Michigan Association of County Clerks supports the bill.  (9-22-10)

The Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks supports the bill.  (9-22-10)

The Council of Election Officials supports the bill.  (9-22-10)

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ 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.