Bill Text: MI HB4382 | 2023-2024 | 102nd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Drains: water management districts; chapter 22 of drain code; revise process through determination of sufficiency of petition and proposed boundaries. Amends secs. 551, 552, 553, 555, 556, 557 & 558 of 1956 PA 40 (MCL 280.551 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4383'23
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-04-13 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 04/12/2023 [HB4382 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2023-HB4382-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL NO. 4382
A bill to amend 1956 PA 40, entitled
"The drain code of 1956,"
by amending sections 551, 552, 553, 555, 556, 557, and 558 (MCL 280.551, 280.552, 280.553, 280.555, 280.556, 280.557, and 280.558).
the people of the state of michigan enact:
Sec. 551. Whenever As used in this chapter, except when unless otherwise indicated by the context:
(a) The term "state" shall be deemed to mean the state of Michigan.
(b) The term "public corporation" shall be deemed to include the state of Michigan, counties, cities, villages, townships, metropolitan districts and authorities created by or pursuant to state statutes.
(c) The term "agencies" shall be deemed to include those officers, boards, commissions and other bodies created by public corporations or by the federal government, which are authorized to act in their own names.
(d) The term "director of agriculture" shall be deemed to mean the director of agriculture of the state of Michigan.
(e) The term "project" shall be deemed to mean any flood control or drainage project petitioned for or undertaken under the provisions of this chapter in any water management district or subdistrict. The term shall be deemed to include any alteration of streams, rivers, drains, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, swamps, marshes, or any other waters, and any of the watersheds thereof. The term shall also include any dike, dam, reservoir, pumping station or other works involved in such alteration.
(a) "Activities" means stormwater management activities, which may include, but are not limited to, stormwater review, stormwater ordinance drafting, public education concerning stormwater, and the acquisition, ownership, construction, improvement, maintenance, or conservation of, or other exercise of jurisdiction or control over, property rights or stormwater control facilities, infrastructure, or equipment.
(b) "Agency" means an officer, board, commission, or other body created by a public corporation or by the federal government that is authorized to act in his, her, or its own name.
(c) "Benefit" means an advantage to public corporations, the inhabitants of public corporations, or property that results from a water management program, including, but not limited to, a benefit as a result of the contribution of stormwater, a benefit from drainage and flood control of stormwater, or a benefit from the elimination of water conditions that jeopardize the public health, safety, or welfare. The verb "benefit" has a corresponding meaning.
(d) "County road agency" means any of the following:
(i) A county road commission.
(ii) A body that has the powers of a county road commission in a county that adopts a charter under 1966 PA 293, MCL 45.501 to 45.521.
(iii) The county board of commissioners, if a board of county road commissioners of a county is dissolved as provided in section 6 of chapter IV of 1909 PA 283, MCL 224.6.
(e) "Day of review" means the public meeting under section 564 to review the apportionment of benefits.
(f) "Department" means the department of agriculture and rural development.
(g) "Director" means the director of the department of agriculture and rural development.
(h) "District description order" means an order entered under section 557(3).
(i) "Municipality" means a city, village, or township. "Municipal" has a corresponding meaning.
(j) "Necessity order" means an order entered under section 558(4).
(k) "Public corporation" means this state, a county, or a municipality.
(l) "Water management board" means a board created under section 553(1).
(m) "Water management commission" means a commission created under section 553(3).
(n) (f) The term "water "Water management district" shall be deemed to mean means the area comprising all or part of 3 or more contiguous counties within a single drainage basin in for which a project water management program is petitioned for or undertaken under the provisions of this chapter. , and shall include such counties and all public corporations within such area as shall be subject to assessment for the cost of such project.
(g) The term "subdistrict" shall be deemed to mean the area comprising that portion of a water management district in which a project is petitioned for under the provisions of this chapter, which project benefits only 1 or more public corporations within the water management district. The term shall include only the public corporations or corporations so specially benefited by the project.
(h) The term "commission" shall be deemed to mean the water management commission of a water management district.
(i) The term "board" shall be deemed to mean the water management board of a water management district.
(j) The term "benefit" or "benefits" shall be deemed to mean advantages resulting from a project to public corporations, the inhabitants of public corporations, and property within public corporations. The term shall be limited to benefits which result from the drainage and control of water, and shall include such factors as: elimination of flood damage; elimination of water conditions which jeopardize the public health or safety; increase of the value or use of lands and property arising from improved drainage and elimination of floods; and the advantageous use to which water may be directed as a result of the project, and incidental thereto, for agricultural, conservation and recreational purposes.
(o) "Water management plan" means a plan approved under section 560.
(q) "Water management program order" means an order entered under section 561b.
Sec. 552. (1) Whenever it shall be necessary for the public health, safety or welfare to establish a water management district to undertake a project in all or part of 3 or more contiguous counties in this state for purposes of flood control or drainage, a petition therefor may be filed with the director of agriculture, signed by 3 or more public corporations, and, if a district with 8 or more counties, by 3 or more counties, which will be subject to assessments to pay the cost of such project. Such petition shall state that it is filed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, shall set forth the proposed name of the district and the necessity for the project in the interest of the public health, safety or welfare; and shall contain a general description of the type, purpose and location of the proposed project, which description need be only sufficiently accurate as to determine with reasonable certainty the waters, works and territory involved in the project and the public corporations to be benefited thereby. A map showing the boundaries of the proposed district and a certified copy of the resolution of the governing body of each public corporation, authorizing its signature thereto, shall be attached to the petition. Such petition may be filed in more than 1 counterpart. A petition may be filed to establish a water management program. Under the petition process in this chapter, establishment of a water management program follows the establishment of, first, a water management district and, second, a water management plan. Pursuant to a petition under this chapter, an existing water management program may be superseded by a new water management program. The new water management program shall be consistent with the existing water management plan in its current form or as amended under the petition process. Pursuant to a petition under this chapter, a water management plan and water management program may be established for a water management district if a previous petition process resulted in the establishment of a water management district but not a water management plan or water management program.
(2) A petition under subsection (1) may be filed in more than 1 counterpart. If a petition involves a proposed or previously established water management district with lands in only 1 county, the petition shall be filed with the drain commissioner and signed by any of the following:
(a) Authorized officials of 2 or more public corporations that will be subject to assessments under section 563(3)(b) or (c) for proceedings related to the petition. However, if only 1 municipality will be subject to assessments at large for benefits to public health, the petition need be signed by only that municipality.
(b) At least 50 property owners whose lands would be subject to assessment.
(c) If there are fewer than 500 property owners whose lands would be subject to assessment, by at least 10% of such property owners.
(3) If a petition involves a proposed or established water management district with lands in 2 or more counties, the petition shall be filed with the drain commissioner of 1 of those counties and signed by any of the following:
(a) Authorized officials of 2 or more public corporations that will be subject to assessments under section 563(3)(b) or (c) for proceedings related to the petition.
(b) At least 50 property owners whose lands would be subject to assessment.
(c) If there are fewer than 500 property owners whose lands would be subject to assessment, by at least 10% of such property owners.
(4) A petition under this section shall meet all of the following requirements:
(a) State that it is filed under this chapter.
(b) Describe the geographic area for which a water management program is sought sufficiently to determine the public corporations that will receive a benefit from a water management program.
(c) State that a water management program is necessary for the public health, safety, or welfare.
(d) For each public corporation whose authorized official signed the petition, be accompanied by a copy of the authorizing resolution of the governing body of the public corporation.
(5) If a petition is filed under subsection (2), the drain commissioner with whom the petition is filed shall review the signatures. If a petition is filed under subsection (3), the drain commissioner shall forward the petition to the director. The director shall identify the counties that will be included in whole or in part in the water management district. The director shall notify the drain commissioner of each affected county and each drain commissioner shall review the signatures for the drain commissioner's county.
(6) A reviewing drain commissioner under subsection (5) shall determine the eligibility of property owners to sign a petition under this section and, if the petition's sufficiency is being determined under subsection (2)(c) or (3)(c), the number of property owners with lands in the proposed or established water management district, as of the date the petition was filed, by diligent inquiry into the records in the office of the register of deeds, the probate court, and the circuit court of the respective county. The drain commissioner shall report his or her findings under this subsection to the water management board.
(7) If required by the drain commissioner with whom the petition is filed, a petitioner shall submit a deposit with the petition, in an amount determined by that drain commissioner, to pay for any costs incurred in relation to the petition if the petition is dismissed under section 557.
Sec. 553. (1) There is created for each water
management district petitioned
for under the provisions of this chapter, a water management commission
consisting of (a) the drain commissioner of each county within the district;
(b) 1 representative of each county within the district, to be appointed by the
county board of supervisors in the usual manner employed by such county in
appointing members to county boards or commissions; (c) 1 representative of
each city or village within the district with a population of 5,000 or more,
and 1 additional representative for each 20,000 of population or any major
fraction thereof by which the population of such city or village exceeds
10,000, to be appointed by the governing body, but no city or village shall
have more than 10 representatives; (d) 1 director of a soil conservation
district to be designated by the directors of all such districts within a water
management district; and (e) the director of agriculture, who shall serve as
chairman of the commission. County soil conservation district and city or
village representatives shall be resident property owners of the district and
shall serve at the pleasure of the appointing body. Each member of the
commission appointed by a county board of supervisors and county soil
conservation districts shall receive such compensation, mileage and expenses as
shall be provided by the water management commission except that such
compensation shall not exceed $25.00 per diem exclusive of mileage and expenses
for attendance at water management commission meetings. Members who are drain
commissioners, or who are county or city employees, shall be reimbursed for
actual and necessary expenses but shall not receive any other compensation. The
director of agriculture or his deputy shall not receive any compensation or
reimbursement for expenses incurred as a member of the commission. A vote of
3/5 of all of the members of the commission shall be required to approve any
preliminary or final order of determination, official plan, final order of
apportionment, or other matter involving any assessment or increase in
assessment of costs.If a petition is filed to establish a water management
program, a water management board is created. A water management board consists
of the following members, as applicable:
(a) For a water management district with lands in only 1 county:
(i) The drain commissioner of the affected county, who shall serve as chairperson.
(ii) One member representing each municipality subject to assessment at large for benefits to public health. However, if there is only 1 such municipality, the water management board shall include 2 members representing that municipality. A member representing a municipality shall be selected as provided in section 556.
(b) For a water management district with lands in 2 or more counties, except as provided in subdivision (c):
(i) The director or the director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson.
(ii) The drain commissioner of each affected county.
(c) Subject to subsection (2), for a water management district with lands in 2 or more counties, at least 1 of which has an appointed rather than an elected drain commissioner and a population of more than 1,000,000:
(i) The director or the director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson.
(ii) The drain commissioner of each affected county.
(iii) An individual appointed by the drain commissioner of each affected county. The appointee shall be an elected official, or his or her designee, of a municipality subject to assessment at large for the water management program. The appointee shall serve for a 2-year term and shall not be appointed for successive terms unless the municipality that he or she represents is the only municipality in the county subject to assessment at large. Following the completion of the 2-year term, the drain commissioner shall, if possible, appoint an elected official, or his or her designee, from a different municipality subject to assessment at large for the project. If an appointee fails or refuses to serve or is disqualified, the drain commissioner shall appoint a successor to serve for the remainder of the term.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) does not apply if an affected county has a population of more than 1,000,000 and was organized pursuant to 1973 PA 139, MCL 45.551 to 45.573.
(3) If a water management district for which a petition is filed includes lands in 2 or more counties, a water management commission is also created. A water management commission consists of the following members:
(a) The members of the water management board, with the chairperson and secretary of the water management board also serving as chairperson and secretary of the water management commission.
(b) The chairperson of the county board of commissioners for each affected county.
(c) The chairperson of the finance committee of the county board of commissioners for each affected county. If there is no finance committee in a county, then the chairperson of the county board of commissioners shall select 1 member of the county board of commissioners to act as a member of the water management commission.
(4) A water management board or commission shall determine reasonable compensation for and approve necessary expenses of each member of the water management board or commission, respectively, serving on behalf of a county or municipality for each meeting attended. A drain commissioner or the director shall not receive any additional compensation or reimbursement for expenses incurred as a member of a water management board or commission.
(5) Unless a water management district and water management program have previously been established, the water management board and any water management commission are dissolved if either of the following occurs:
(a) The petition to establish a water management program is found insufficient under section 557.
(b) A water management program is found not necessary under section 558.
Sec. 555. (1) This section shall pertain to either the water management commission or the water management board. Meetings may be called by the chairperson or 2 members of either body, upon notice sent by registered mail Except as provided in section 556, the chairperson of a water management board or commission shall call each meeting of the water management board or commission, respectively, by providing notice to each member. The notice shall be mailed not less than 10 days before the time of the meeting. be provided by email requesting read receipt verification and by first-class mail. The notice shall specify the time, date, and place of the meeting. An affidavit of the chairperson that notice as required by this subsection was sent is conclusive proof of notification.
(2) A majority of the members shall of a water management board or commission constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business. , but A vote in favor by a majority of the members of the water management board or commission present and voting is required for any action of the board or commission. However, a lesser number may adjourn from time to time. A meeting may be adjourned from time to time. Unless otherwise provided in this act, an action shall not be taken by either body except by a majority vote of the members present and voting. In the event of the adjournment of a hearing, it shall not be
(3) If a meeting of a water management board or commission is adjourned, it is not necessary to advertise provide notice of the adjournment. of the hearing. Orders issued by either body shall be signed by its chairperson and secretary.
(4) The chairperson shall sign orders entered by a water management board or commission.
(5) A water management board or commission shall conduct its business in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275. A writing that is prepared, owned, used, possessed, or retained by a water management board or commission in performing an official function is subject to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
(6) A water management board shall select a treasurer and a secretary. The secretary shall prepare and sign duplicate originals of the minutes of the proceedings of the body, one to be retained by the chairperson and the other to be filed with the director of the department of agriculture. water management board. The originals of all proceedings and records of the water management board shall be kept on file with the secretary. The director of the department of agriculture may require the secretary to furnish certified copies of records of either body in the office of the secretary for filing in his or her office, and the certified copies filed shall have the same force and effect as the originals. Meetings shall be open to the public, and records of either body shall be considered public records and available for inspection during regular office hours.in the chairperson's office. The chairperson's office is the principal office of the water management board for purposes of this act and any other applicable laws of this state.
Sec. 556. (1) Within 30 days following receipt of a petition as provided in section 552 of this act, the director of agriculture shall review the petition for sufficiency and accuracy, shall make a preliminary finding of the counties which in his opinion include public corporations that should be assessed under the provisions of this chapter, and shall mail written notice of the first meeting of the water management commission to the county clerk and drain commissioner of each such county, to the highway agencies having jurisdiction over all highways, roads and streets in said district, to the secretary of each soil conservation district and The chairperson shall call the first meeting of the water management board. Not less than 45 days before the meeting, the chairperson shall provide notice specifying the time, date, and place of the meeting by certified mail to the following:
(a) For a proposed water management district with lands in only 1 county, to the supervisor of each township and the clerk of each city or village clerk of each city and village within such counties with a population of 5,000 or more according to the latest or each succeeding federal decennial census, which in his opinion are subject to assessment for the cost of the project. Such notice shall request the appointment of a representative of each public corporation so notified to the commission and shall state the time and place of the first meeting, which shall be held not less than 30 nor more than 45 days following the mailing thereof. In the event a county board of supervisors of any such county subject to assessment at large for benefits to public health. The notice shall request that the governing body of the municipality appoint a member to the water management board, or 2 members if there is only 1 municipality subject to assessment at large for benefits for public health. If the governing body of a municipality does not meet in a regular or special session prior to before the date of the first meeting of the commission, the chairman of the board of supervisors water management board, the chairperson of the governing body, or, if there is only 1 municipality subject to assessment at large for benefits to public health, the chairperson and his or her designee, shall represent the county municipality at the first meeting, and the board of supervisors governing body shall appoint a member or 2 members, as applicable, to the commission water management board at its the governing body's next regular or special session.
(b) For a proposed water management district with lands in 2 or more counties, to the drain commissioners of those counties.
(2) A member of the water management board appointed by a governing body under subsection (1)(a) serves at the pleasure of the governing body.
(3) Failure of the a governing body of any public corporation entitled to representation to appoint a member to the commission shall water management board under subsection (1)(a) does not prevent the inclusion of such public corporation in the water management district , nor of lands in the municipality or exempt it the municipality from assessment or other obligations imposed by this chapter. , but such public corporation shall be without representation until it shall appoint a member. The director of agriculture shall also send notice of the first meeting to the director of the department of conservation, the state highway commissioner and the county road commission of each county within the district.
Sec. 557. (1) The commission shall elect a temporary secretary, and may adopt rules of procedure or by-laws, not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter. The commission shall also consider the petition for the project, and shall make a tentative determination as to the sufficiency of the petition and the necessity and practicability of the proposed project. If the commission shall determine that the petition is insufficient, it may enter an order amending or supplementing such petition, which order shall be deemed to constitute a part of the petition. If such order shall result in the inclusion of any additional public corporation which is entitled to designate a member to the commission, the commission shall adjourn the meeting and shall notify the clerk of such public corporation of the time and place of the adjourned meeting, which notice shall be given in conformity with the requirements of the notice provided for in section 556 of this act.At its first meeting after a petition is filed under section 552, a water management board shall do both of the following:
(a) Determine the sufficiency of the petition, after considering the findings under section 552 as to the number of signatures from eligible signers and, if applicable, the number of persons eligible to sign the petition.
(b) Unless the water management district has already been established under this chapter, make a preliminary finding of the boundaries of the water management district.
(2) If the commission shall at any time determine that the project is not necessary or practicable, water management board determines that the petition is insufficient, it shall order the petition dismissed, enter an order in writing dismissing the petition, and proceedings under such the petition shall be thereby terminated. Where a petition for a project has been dismissed, such project shall not be petitioned for again under this act for a period of 1 year. If the commission shall find the project necessary and practicable and the petition, in original form or as amended by order of the commission, sufficient, it shall proceed forthwith to select a name for the district, elect a water management board, and make a tentative determination of the public corporations to be assessed for the costs of the project. The commission shall procure preliminary plans which include an estimate of costs of the project, benefits which will result therefrom to the various public corporations comprising the district, and the extent to which each public corporation contributes to the conditions which make the project necessary. The commission shall make a tentative determination, based upon such plans, of the percentage of costs to be assessed to each public corporation comprising the district, and shall If a petition under section 552 is dismissed, the costs of the proceedings related to the petition shall be paid first from any deposit accompanying the petition. If there is no deposit or the deposit is insufficient, the balance of the costs shall be paid from the revolving drain fund of each county in the proposed water management district, or both.
(3) If the water management board finds that the petition is sufficient, it shall enter a district description order to that effect. The district description order shall set forth in writing all of the following:
(a) The name of the water management district.
(b) Unless the water management district has already been established, the tentative boundaries of the water management district.
(4) If the proposed water management district will include or the established water management district includes lands in 2 or more counties, the water management board shall transmit a written copy of such determination, the district description order together with the petition , any orders amendatory and supplementary thereto, and the preliminary plan to the water management board.commission.
Sec. 558. (1) The After the water management board enters a district description order, the chairperson shall fix set a time, date, and place it will meet to hear objections to the proposed project, the petition for the project, and to the assessments of costs as contained in the tentative determination of the commission.for a hearing to do all of the following:
(a) Receive evidence and hear objections in relation to the petition.
(b) Determine the necessity of a water management program for the public health, safety, or welfare.
(c) Unless the water management district has already been established, determine the boundaries of the water management district.
(d) Determine the municipalities subject to assessment at large for benefits to public health.
(e) Determine the public corporations subject to assessment for benefits to state highways, county roads, or city or village streets.
(2) The hearing shall be conducted by the water management board if the petition involves a proposed or established water management district with lands in only 1 county. Otherwise, the hearing shall be conducted by the water management commission.
(3) Notice of the hearing shall be published twice in each county involved by inserting the notice in at least 1 newspaper designated by the board and published and circulated in the county. The first publication shall be not less than 20 days before the time of hearing. Notice shall also be sent by registered mail to the clerk or secretary of each public corporation proposed to be assessed, except that a notice to the state shall be sent to the state highway director and the director of the department of natural resouces and a notice to a county shall be sent to both the county clerk and the county road commission. The mailing shall be made not less than 20 days before the time of the hearing. The notice shall be signed by the secretary of the board and proof of the publication and mailing of the notice shall be filed with the secretary. The board may provide a form to be substantially followed in the giving of the notice. After the hearing, the board shall made a preliminary determination as to the sufficiency of the petition, the necessity and practicability of the project, whether the project should be undertaken, the public corporations to be assessed, and shall issue a preliminary order accordingly. The order shall be known as the preliminary order of determination. A public corporation shall not be eliminated from, or added to, those tentatively determined to be assessed without a rehearing after notice, except as provided in section 559.provided by the drain commissioner of each affected county as follows:
(a) By publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county not less than 20 days before the date of the hearing.
(b) By first-class mail, sent not less than 10 days before the date of the hearing, to each person whose name appears on the last municipal tax roll as owning land within the proposed or established water management district in the county, at the address shown on the roll. If an address does not appear on the roll, a notice need not be mailed to the person.
(c) By certified mail, sent not less than 10 days before the date of the hearing, to all of the following:
(i) The county clerk.
(ii) The county road agency if the county is subject to assessment for benefits to county roads.
(iii) The clerk of each city and village in the county subject to assessment for benefits to city or village streets or assessment at large for benefits to public health.
(iv) The supervisor of each township subject to assessment at large for benefits to public health.
(d) By certified mail, sent not less than 10 days before the date of the hearing, to the director of the state transportation department or his or her designee if this state is subject to assessment at large for benefits to a state highway.
(4) After receiving evidence and testimony, the water management board or commission, as applicable under subsection (2), shall do both of the following:
(a) Determine all of the following:
(i) The necessity of a water management program for public health, safety, or welfare.
(ii) If the water management program is necessary, the boundaries of the water management district, unless the water management district has already been established.
(iii) If the water management district is necessary, the public corporations subject to assessment under section 563(3)(b) or (c).
(b) If the water management program is necessary, enter a necessity order. The necessity order shall set forth in writing the water management board's or commission's determinations under subdivision (a).
(5) Unless a water management district has already been established, upon entry of a necessity order, the water management district is established, subject to any appeals provided under this chapter.
(6) If the water management board or commission finds that the water management program petitioned for is not necessary, all of the following apply:
(a) The water management board or commission, as applicable, shall enter a no-necessity order in writing dismissing the petition.
(b) Another such petition shall not be filed for 1 year.
(c) The costs of the proceedings related to the petition shall be assessed as follows:
(i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), to public corporations, at large based on apportionments developed at the discretion of the drain commissioner for each affected county, subject to approval by the water management board.
(ii) For a petition to establish a water management program in an existing water management district, to the water management district.
(7) Within 10 days after entry of a necessity order, the drain commissioner for each county shall notify each municipality that is liable to pay a percentage of the cost of the proceedings related to the petition by reason of benefits at large for public health.
(8) Within 10 days after entry of a necessity order, the owner of any land in the proposed or established water management district, the state transportation department, or any city, village, or county having control of any street or road in the water management district, that is aggrieved by the determination of the water management board or commission may institute an action in the circuit court for the county in which the real property is located for a ruling whether that determination is supported by substantial, material, and competent evidence.
(9) After a water management commission enters a necessity order, any further action pursuant to the petition shall be taken by the water management board.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act does not take effect unless Senate Bill No.____ or House Bill No. 4383 (request no. 00505'23) of the 102nd Legislature is enacted into law.
