ELOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT

House Bill 5641

Sponsor:  Rep. David Palsrok

Committee:  Local Government and Urban Policy

Complete to 3-15-04

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5641 AS INTRODUCED 3-11-04

House Bill 5641 would amend Public Act 156 of 1851 which defines the powers and duties of county boards of commissioners, to repeal two sections of the law which describe the election protocols that must be utilized in the event a county seat is relocated.  The bill specifies, instead, that an election to relocate a county seat would be conducted under the Michigan Election Law.

Currently under the law, a county board of supervisors has the authority to designate a new location for a county seat if two-thirds of its members votes to do so, and if a majority of the electors of the county have voted in favor of the relocation.  House Bill 5641 would retain this provision, updating the term “supervisor” with the term “commissioner.”  In addition, the bill would repeal Section 18 of the act (which concerns the notice and contents of a proper citizen referendum), and Section 19 of the act (which concerns the prescribed election proceedings, ballot preparation, board action, and, if necessary, special elections).

MCL 46.17 et al.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact to the state or to local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Jim Stansell

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