LOCAL UNIT OF GOVERNMENT: FLAGS S.B. 110:
COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 110 (as introduced 1-30-13)
Sponsor: Senator Roger Kahn, M.D.
Committee: Local Government and Elections
CONTENT
The bill would amend Public Act 209 of 1911, which prescribes the design of the State flag and coat-of-arms, to prohibit all local units of government from purchasing a flag of the United States or a State flag of Michigan for either of the following purposes, unless the flag was manufactured in the United States or a territory of the United States:
-- Display upon a building or property owned, entirely leased, or operated by any local unit of government.
-- Resale.
("Local unit of government" would mean a county, city, village, township, school district, intermediate school district, community college district, public library, or local authority created under State law.)
This prohibition already applies to the State, including all branches, departments, offices, boards, commissions, authorities, and other agencies of the State.
MCL 2.22a Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate and minimal impact on local units of government. It is unknown how many flags are purchased by local units of government each year, as well as the costs of the flags and where those flags were manufactured. The impact of the bill would depend on the extent to which local units decided to purchase flags and would be required to purchase flags different from what they otherwise would purchase, as well as whether any changes resulted in a different cost for flags. To the extent that the bill resulted in the purchase of flags that are not the lowest cost, local units would incur additional expenses. Approximately 4,500 local units in Michigan would be subject to the bill.
The bill would have no effect on State revenue or expenditure.
This 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.