TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSION - H.B. 4011 (H-1): COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bill 4011 (Substitute H-1 as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Marc Shulman
House Committee: Local Government and Urban Policy
Senate Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
Date Completed: 3-17-99
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Public Act 157 of 1905, which provides for the creation of township park commissions, to require that a park commission have five, seven, or nine members, as determined by the township board; require a township board to increase or decrease a park commission's membership to conform with the bill; and, provide for the appointment of additional members.
Public Act 157 provides that upon receiving a written petition signed by at least 8% of the registered voters of a township, the township board must submit the question of establishing a township park commission to the voters at the next regular election held in the township. If a majority of the electors voting on the question vote in favor of establishing a township park commission, the township board must appoint six members to the commission. Under the bill, the board would have to appoint to the park commission, an odd number of members but not less than five or more than nine as determined by the township board, on and after the bill's effective date.
A township board would have to increase or decrease the number of members of an existing township park commission to conform with the above provisions. If the township board increased the number of members, the board would have to appoint the additional members who would serve for the period prescribed in the Michigan Election Law's provisions on the filling of vacancies in township offices and the term of an appointee to fill a vacancy (MCL 168.370 and 168.370a).
If the township board decreased the number of members of the park commission board, the commission members serving would have to remain in office until the next township election at which township officers were elected held pursuant to the Election Law's provisions on election of township officers (MCL 168.358).
After a township board increased or decreased the number of members of an existing township park commission, any future increase or decrease in the number of members could occur only at a township election at which township officers were elected held pursuant to the Michigan Election Law. A vacancy in the park commission would have to be filled by appointment of the township board for the period prescribed in the Election Law.
MCL 41.426 - Legislative Analyst: L. Arasim
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: R. RossS9900\s4011sa
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.