HOUSE BILL No. 5220

December 13, 2011, Introduced by Reps. Knollenberg and Tyler and referred to the Committee on Tax Policy.

A bill to amend 1973 PA 186, entitled

"Tax tribunal act,"

(MCL 205.701 to 205.779) by adding section 62b.

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

Sec. 62b. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this section,

after a petitioner has filed a petition under this chapter and the

respondent local tax collecting unit has filed an answer to the

petition, a petitioner may request an informal settlement

conference as provided in this section.

(2) A petitioner shall submit a written request for an

informal settlement conference to the local tax collecting unit and

shall file a copy of that written request with the residential

property and small claims division. The local tax collecting unit

shall schedule an informal settlement conference within 60 days

after receipt of the written request. The informal settlement

conference shall be held at the offices of the local tax collecting

unit. If the local tax collecting unit does not schedule an

informal settlement conference within 60 days after receipt of the

written request, the petitioner may file a motion with the

residential property and small claims division for an order to

compel the informal settlement conference. If the local tax

collecting unit does not schedule an informal settlement conference

after receipt of the order to compel the informal settlement

conference, the residential property and small claims division

shall schedule an expedited default hearing.

(3) At the informal settlement conference, the petitioner and

the local tax collecting unit may enter into a stipulation for

judgment. The stipulation for judgment shall be filed with the

residential property and small claims division. The residential

property and small claims division shall review the stipulation for

judgment to determine if the stipulation for judgment shall be

adopted as a final order. Upon a showing of good cause or at the

residential property and small claims division's discretion, the

residential property and small claims division may reject the

proposed stipulation for judgment.

(4) If the petitioner and the local tax collecting unit do not

agree to a stipulation for judgment or if the residential property

and small claims division rejects the proposed stipulation for

judgment, the petitioner's appeal shall continue as provided in

this act.

(5) This section does not apply to the denial of a claim for