OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED

BY TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

House Bill 4115

Sponsor:  Rep. Nancy Jenkins

Committee:  Redistricting and Elections

Complete to 9-26-11

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4115 AS INTRODUCED 1-20-11

House Bill 4115 would amend RS 16 of 1846 (MCL 41.64b), which concerns the election and duties of township officers, in order to allow a township supervisor to administer the 'oath of office' to township officers. 

[According to information from the Michigan Township Association, the following currently have the authority to administer oaths to township officials:  the township clerk or deputy, the county clerk or deputy, a notary public, a judge or justice of any court of record, a state senator, or a state representative.

The official 'oath of office' is found in Section 1 of Article XI of the State Constitution of 1963.  That section of the State Constitution reads: 

All officers, legislative, executive and judicial, before entering upon the duties of their respective offices, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of this state, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of .......... according to the best of my ability. No other oath, affirmation, or any religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust.]

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would not appear to have a significant fiscal impact.

                                                                                           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.