Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING VOTE ABSTENTIONS
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 4860 (H-1) as reported from committee Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Denise Mentzer http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Local Government and Municipal Finance
Complete to 10-26-23
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4860 would amend the Charter Township Act to modify the circumstances under
which a township board member would abstain from a vote due to a conflict of interest.
The Charter Township Act currently provides that a township board member who is present at
a meeting generally must vote on all questions to be decided by the board, unless that member
is unanimously excused by the other present members. A member can also abstain from a vote
on an appointment to fill a vacancy in a township office if they are interested in being appointed
by the board to fill the vacancy.
House Bill 4860 would instead provide that a member of a township board who is present at a
board meeting must vote on all questions unless the board member believes that a conflict of
interest exists. If a board member determines that they have a conflict of interest that impacts
their duty to the interest of the township, they may abstain from a vote on that question. They
would have to announce their intent to abstain from the vote and disclose the basis for the
abstention on the official meeting record. (The bill would retain the provision that allows a
member to abstain on a vote to fill a township office vacancy if they wish to be appointed to
fill the vacancy.) A board member would have to be immediately recognized for the purpose
of an abstention.
MCL 42.7
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have no direct fiscal impact on state or local government.
POSITIONS:
The following entities indicated support for the bill:
• Michigan Townships Association (9-6-23)
• Orion Township (9-13-23)
Legislative Analyst: Holly Kuhn
Fiscal Analyst: Ben Gielczyk
■ 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.
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Statutes affected:
Substitute (H-1): 42.7
House Introduced Bill: 42.7
As Passed by the House: 42.7