LIBRARY GOVERNING BOARD                                                                 S.B. 546 (S-1):

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

Senate Bill 546 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Dave Robertson

Committee:  Local Government and Elections

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 164 of 1877, which governs city, village, and township libraries, to revise provisions regarding library governing boards.  Specifically, the bill would do the following:

-- Establish four-year terms for members of boards established by cities or villages that hold elections for local officers every four years.

-- Require a candidate for city, village, or township library governing board member to be a qualified elector of that city, village, or township.

-- Require a nonpartisan library governing board election to be held in conjunction with the applicable local unit's next regularly scheduled primary or general election.

-- Specify conditions that would constitute a vacancy on a library governing board.

-- Specify that an individual appointed to fill a vacancy on a city or village library board would serve until the next regular election, and a person appointed to fill a vacancy on a township board would serve until the next November general election.

A member who was serving on the bill's effective date and who ceased to be a qualified elector of the city, village, or township during that term could serve the remainder of the term, but could not seek another term unless he or she met the requirement to be a qualified elector of that local unit.

The Act provides that a member holds office until a successor is elected and qualified.  The bill would create an exception to this provision, specifying that a member office would become vacant when the incumbent died, resigned, was convicted of a felony, was removed from office by the Governor under the State Constitution, or ceased to be a qualified elector of the city, village, or township in which he or she was appointed or elected. 

MCL 397.202 et al.                                                        Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed:  10-4-13                                                         Fiscal Analyst:  David Zin

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.