ALLOW TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR

TO SOLEMNIZE MARRIAGE

House Bill 4272 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Michael D. McCready

Committee:  Judiciary

Complete to 3-14-17

SUMMARY:

The bill would allow a township supervisor to perform a wedding in the county in which the township is located.

Chapter 83 of the Revised Statutes of 1846 lists the officials who may solemnize a marriage in Michigan.  In addition to religious leaders, those officials who may perform a wedding include district court judges; district court magistrates; probate judges; federal court judges; city mayors within the county in which the city is located; county clerks in the county in which the clerk serves, or in any of Michigan's 83 counties with the written authorization of that county's clerk; and a designated employee of the county clerk in a county with more than 1.5 million inhabitants.

House Bill 4272 authorizes a supervisor of a township to solemnize a marriage in the county in which that township is located.  The township supervisor would be required to charge and collect a fee to be determined by the board of the township.  The fee must be paid to the township treasurer and deposited in the township's general fund at the end of the month.

MCL 551.7

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have a small, but positive, fiscal impact for townships. While there may be increased administrative costs associated with township supervisors solemnizing marriages, the provisions of the bill would require the township to charge and collect a fee.  The fiscal impact for each township would directly correspond to the number of marriages solemnized and the fee charged by the township.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Ben Gielczyk

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.