SCHOOL ELECTION COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 1126

Sponsor:  Sen. Michelle A. McManus

House Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Senate Committee:  Campaign and Election Oversight

Complete to 9-21-10

A SUMMARY OF SENATE BILL 1126 AS PASSED BY THE SENATE 6-17-10

 

Senate Bill 1126 (S-1) would amend the Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.305) to require a school district election coordinating committee to meet and report at intervals of four years, rather than two years, and also make the committee's election arrangements binding on participating jurisdictions for at least four years after the report was filed, rather than at least two years.

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 have to meet at four-year intervals 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 for at least four years after the report was filed. As is currently the case, each jurisdiction would continue to be bound by the arrangements until an altered report was filed.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.

                                                                                           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.