2007 Senate Bill 47 / 2008 Public Act 94

Authorize local "water resource improvement" TIFAs

Introduced in the Senate

Jan. 24, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Jason Allen (R-37)

To authorize local governments to create "water resource improvement tax increment financing authorities" with the purpose of using "captured" tax revenues to pay for broadly defined "water resource improvement" projects that aid in "water resource improvement" and economic growth, including streets, plazas, pedestrian malls, and any improvements to these including street furniture and beautification, parks, parking facilities, recreational facilities, right of way acquisitions, structures, waterways, bridges, lakes, ponds, canals, utility lines or pipes, sewer systems, water systems, storm water systems, or buildings that aid. A municipality could condemn and take property under its eminent domain powers and give the property to the authority. A municipality could also add special assessments to property tax bills to pay for these projects, and could create a tax increment finance authority (TIFA) to "capture" the increment of extra local property tax revenue that would result from the economic growth which might be generated by the "water resource" improvements. The “captured” tax revenue would be used to pay off the debt incurred by borrowing to provide these new facilities.

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs

March 1, 2007

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 6, 2007

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

March 7, 2007

Passed in the Senate 36 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

March 7, 2007

Referred to the Committee on New Economy and Quality of Life

Feb. 7, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 20, 2008

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that would require these boards to prepare a resource management plan in consultation with the Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Natural Resources, or any other entity with expertise in water quality management and invasive species management.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Melton (D-29)

To define a “water resource improvement district” or “district” as an inland body of water and land that is up to one mile from an inland lakewith public access points, or an inland body of water and parcels of land that are contiguous to it where there is no public access point.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 106 to 2 (details)

To authorize local governments to create "water resource improvement tax increment financing authorities" with the purpose of using "captured" tax revenues to pay for broadly defined "water resource improvement" projects that aid in "water resource improvement" and economic growth, including streets, plazas, pedestrian malls, and any improvements to these including street furniture and beautification, parks, parking facilities, recreational facilities, right of way acquisitions, structures, waterways, bridges, lakes, ponds, canals, utility lines or pipes, sewer systems, water systems, storm water systems, or buildings that aid. A municipality could condemn and take property under its eminent domain powers and give the property to the authority. A municipality could also add special assessments to property tax bills to pay for these projects, and could create a tax increment finance authority (TIFA) to "capture" the increment of extra local property tax revenue that would result from the economic growth which might be generated by the "water resource" improvements. The “captured” tax revenue would be used to pay off the debt incurred by borrowing to provide these new facilities.

Received in the Senate

March 25, 2008

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

April 8, 2008