2003 House Joint Resolution M

Supermajority for laws affecting a city in the Constitution

Introduced in the House

Sept. 25, 2003

Introduced by Rep. Artina Tinsley Hardman (D-3)

To place before voters in the next general election a Constitutional amendment to require that legislation regarding a local or special act must be introduced by a member of the legislature who resides in that jurisdiction. "Local" or "special" acts are laws that apply only to a specifically named township, city, or county, and to no other. Under the Constitution they require a two-thirds vote of the legislature. In recent years there has been considerable controversy over certain legislation which applies specifically to Detroit, such as a state takeover of the city’s school board. This was not a "local act," however, since like many other bills dealing with the city the language is made to appear general by applying the bills to "all cities over 750,000 in population," which in reality means only Detroit.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations