The bill amends the 1965 PA 261, which governs the creation and powers of county and regional parks and recreation commissions in Michigan. It allows county boards of commissioners to establish a parks and recreation commission through a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority. The bill specifies that the commission must be under the general control of the county board and outlines the composition of the commission, which includes various designated officials and appointed members. Notably, it introduces a provision that permits counties with populations under 100,000 to reduce the number of appointed members to four, while still ensuring that at least one to three members are from the county board of commissioners.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the appointment process for neighborhood representatives in counties with populations between 750,000 and 1,000,000, emphasizing the need for appointees to be residents of the area surrounding frequently used county parks. It also establishes specific term lengths for appointed members and stipulates that vacancies must be filled by the county board for the remainder of the term. The bill reinforces the authority of the county board to set rules and compensation for commission members, ensuring that the commission operates effectively as an agency of the county.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 46.351