ABANDONED/STOLEN BICYCLES H.B. 6116 & 6322: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
House Bills 6116 and 6322 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative John Stakoe
House Committee: Local Government and Urban Policy
Senate Committee: Local, Urban and State Affairs
Date Completed: 11-30-06
CONTENT
The bills would amend different statutes to allow a sheriff or a law enforcement agency to request that a stolen or abandoned bicycle be donated to a State-licensed charitable organization. House Bill 6116 would amend Public Act 54 of 1959, which regulates the disposition and sale of stolen property recovered by a county sheriff. House Bill 6322 would amend Public Act 214 of 1979, which regulates the disposition and sale of stolen or abandoned property recovered in a village or township.
Under Public Act 54 of 1959, if a sheriff has any recovered stolen property that is unclaimed for six months after recovery, he or she must report it to the county board of commissioners and request authority from the board to dispose of it as provided in the Act. Under House Bill 6116, if the property were an abandoned or stolen bicycle, the sheriff could request authority from the county board of commissioners to donate it to a State-licensed charitable organization.
Under Public Act 214 of 1979, if a law enforcement officer of a village or township recovers stolen property or discovers abandoned property within the village or township, and the property is not claimed within six months, the law enforcement officer must report the recovery or discovery of the property to the village council or township board of trustees and request authority to dispose of it as provided in the Act or to give it to the county sheriff to dispose of as provided in Public Act 54. House Bill 6322 would include a city among the units of government subject to this provision, and would refer to a law enforcement agency, rather than a law enforcement officer. The bill would allow a law enforcement agency to request authority from its governing body to donate a stolen or abandoned bicycle to a State-licensed charitable organization.
Both Acts provide for the sale of stolen or abandoned property, and require that the proceeds be deposited in the general fund of the local unit.
MCL 434.171 (H.B. 6116) Legislative Analyst: Julie Cassidy
434.181 (H.B. 6322)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills potentially would reduce local unit revenue by a negligible amount, depending on the value and number of stolen or abandoned bicycles that were donated rather than sold.
The bills would have no fiscal impact on the State.
Fiscal Analyst: David Zin
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. hb6116&6322/0506