2003 House Bill 4197 / Public Act 20

Introduced in the House

Feb. 12, 2003

Introduced by Rep. Chris Ward (R-66)

To revise downwards the population threshold needed to qualify as an "urban township” in the Local Development Financing Act. The Act authorizes local governments to create local development authorities to undertake public facility projects funded by tax increment financing. Tax increment financing allows an authority to capture the increment of increased local property tax revenue that results from the economic growth which is supposed to result because of the new public facilities. These projects are intended to provide incentives for particular businesses to locate in an area.

Referred to the Committee on Local Government and Urban Policy

March 18, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 27, 2003

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one which would change the threshhold for an “urban township” to 13,000 residents in counties with a population of 150,000 or more, rather than 15,000 in counties with 125,000 or more as originally proposed. Under current law, an urban township must have population of 20,000 or more, or 10,000 or more if located in a county with at least 400,000.

The substitute passed by voice vote

April 1, 2003

Passed in the House 86 to 15 (details)

To revise the population threshold needed to qualify as an "urban township" in the Local Development Financing Act. The Act authorizes local governments to create local development authorities to undertake public facility projects funded by tax increment financing. Tax increment financing allows an authority to capture the increment of increased local property tax revenue that results from the economic growth which is supposed to result because of the new public facilities. These projects are intended to provide incentives for particular businesses to locate in an area.Under current law, an urban township must have population of 20,000 or more, or 10,000 or more if located in a county with at least 400,000. The bill would change the latter figures to 13,000 and 150,000, respectively.

Received in the Senate

April 2, 2003

Referred to the Committee on Commerce and Labor

May 29, 2003

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 4, 2003

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To revise downwards the population threshold needed to qualify as an "urban township” in the Local Development Financing Act. The Act authorizes local governments to create local development authorities to undertake public facility projects funded by tax increment financing. Tax increment financing allows an authority to capture the increment of increased local property tax revenue that results from the economic growth which is supposed to result because of the new public facilities. These projects are intended to provide incentives for particular businesses to locate in an area. Under current law, an urban township must have population of 20,000 or more, or 10,000 or more if located in a county with at least 400,000. The bill would change the latter figures to 13,000 and 150,000, respectively.

Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

June 19, 2003