BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TERMS

House Bill 4937 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Ann M. Bollin

House Bill 4938 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Sarah L. Lightner

Committee:  Elections and Ethics

Complete to 10-1-19

SUMMARY:

House Bill 4937 would amend 1966 PA 261, which prescribes the manner of election for county boards of commissioners. Currently, commissioners are elected in even-numbered years to two-year terms of office. The bill would provide that, for all commissioners elected at or after the 2022 general election, terms would be four years. 

Additionally, if a vacancy occurred more than seven days before a nominating petition was due for the “midterm” election of that term (for example, the 2024 election, as no commissioners would otherwise be elected in that election cycle), a new commissioner would be elected in that year’s general election and the person appointed to fill that vacancy would serve only until that successor was elected. If the vacancy occurred after that time, the appointee would serve out the remainder of the term (in this example, until 2026).

House Bill 4938 would add a complementary provision to 1966 PA 293, the charter counties act, to extend commissioners’ terms to four years beginning January 1, 2023. The bill

House Bill 4938 is tie-barred to HB 4937, meaning that it could not take effect unless HB 4937 were also enacted.

HB 4937: MCL 46.410 and 46.412

            HB 4938: MCL 45.514

BACKGROUND:

Michigan is divided into 83 counties, and each county is further divided into county commission districts. Every two years, in even-numbered election years, voters elect county commissioners on the partisan ballot, and those county commissioner serve a two-year term. Together, all elected county commissioners constitute the county board of commissioners, which meets to conduct business in the county seat of government.

FISCAL IMPACT:

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

                                                                                         Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analyst:   Michael Cnossen

■ 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.