LIMIT MILLAGE ELECTIONS

TO EVEN-YEAR NOVEMBER BALLOT

House Bill 4887

Sponsor:  Rep. Dan Lauwers

Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Complete to 10-28-13

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4887 AS INTRODUCED 6-20-13

The bill would amend the General Property Tax Act to limit millage elections to the general November election.    Under the Michigan Election Law, the "general November election" means the election held on the November regular election date in an even-numbered year.  This would apply after December 31, 2014.

Under current law, a taxing unit cannot hold more than two elections in a calendar year concerning the authorization of an increased millage rate.  Under the bill, this provision would be in effect "before January 1, 2014."

House Bill 4887 specifies instead, that after December 31, 2014, a taxing unit would be required to submit a question for the authorization of a new millage, the authorization of new additional millage, or the renewal of a previously authorized millage at the general November election only.

MCL 211.24f

FISCAL IMPACT:

As written, the bill would potentially lower local property tax revenue by only allowing public decisions on ballot proposals that would increase local revenue or renew existing millages to be made in November elections in even-numbered years.  To the extent that this reduces the number of local elections, there could also be some potential cost savings.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jim Stansell

                                                                                                                           Adam Desrosiers

■ 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.