House Bill 6322 as introduced
Sponsor: Rep. John Stakoe
Committee: Local Government and Urban Policy
First Analysis (9-12-06)
BRIEF SUMMARY: The bill would allow a city law enforcement agency to donate stolen or abandoned bicycles to charitable organizations.
FISCAL IMPACT: As written, the bill would have no significant impact on state or local revenues.
THE APPARENT PROBLEM:
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office, under the Sheriff's Re-CYCLE for Kids program, collects bicycles, bike accessories, and tools as part of a program that refurbishes and repairs bicycles and then makes them available to charitable organizations such as the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Metro Detroit, Easter Seals, and other youth organizations. House Bill 6116, which has been passed by the House, would allow a sheriff to request authority from a county board of commissioners to donate, instead of dispose at auction, a stolen or abandoned bicycle to a charitable organization. Similar legislation is being offered that would apply to city police agencies.
THE CONTENT OF THE BILL:
Under Public Act 214 of 1974, a law enforcement officer of a village or township who recovers stolen property or discovers abandoned personal property, which goes unclaimed for six months, must report the recovery or discovery to the village council or township board of trustees and request authority to dispose of it as provided in the act or give it to the county sheriff to dispose of as provided under Public Act 54 of 1959.
House Bill 6322 would amend Public Act 214 to apply also to cities and would place the responsibility for reporting the recovery of stolen property or discovery of abandoned property with the local law enforcement agency instead of with a law enforcement officer. In addition, if the property were an abandoned or stolen bicycle, the law enforcement agency could request authority from its governing body to donate the bicycle to a state licensed charitable organization.
MCL 434.181
ARGUMENTS:
For:
The bill would enable city, village, and township police agencies to donate stolen or abandoned bicycles to charitable organizations instead of having to store the bikes and arrange and conduct an auction. Apparently, most of the bikes are in disrepair and do not bring much in the way of revenue. If organizations exist that collect and repair bikes for distribution to needy children or adults around the state, police agencies should be allowed to donate the bikes to those organizations.
POSITIONS:
No positions were offered on the bill.
Legislative Analyst: Susan Stutzky
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.