REVISE DEPUTIES' AUTHORITY IN TOWNSHIP OFFICERS' ABSENCE
House Bill 5941
Sponsor: Rep. Michael Bishop
Committee: Local Government and Urban Policy
Complete to 4-25-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5941 AS INTRODUCED 4-23-02
House Bill 5941 would amend Chapter 16 of the Revised Statutes of 1846, which sets forth the powers and duties of townships and their officers, to limit the authority of certain deputy township officials to act in the absence of the officers who appoint them. Chapter 16 allows a township supervisor to appoint a deputy township supervisor, requires a township clerk to appoint a deputy clerk, and requires a township treasurer to appoint a deputy treasurer. In each case the deputy serves at the pleasure of the official who appointed him or her, and each deputy appointed must take an oath of office. Currently the chapter states that in the event of the absence, sickness, death, or disability of the official who appointed him or her, the deputy shall possess the powers and perform the duties of the official, except that the deputy shall not have a vote on the township board. The bill would revise this authority so that each deputy would acquire the powers and have to perform the duties of the official who appointed him or her only if the official was absent from office for more than one month due to sickness, death, or another disability. As under current law, a deputy acting in an official's absence could not vote on the township board.
MCL 41.61
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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.