NO PROPERTY OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT

TO HOLD LOCAL ELECTED OR APPOINTIVE OFFICE

House Bill 5127

Sponsor:  Rep. Tory Rocca

Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Complete to 3-17-08

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5127 AS INTRODUCED 8-22-07

House Bill 5127 would create a new act to be known as the Open Access to Local Ballot Act.  The bill would prohibit a local unit of government from requiring the ownership of real property as a qualification for holding elective or appointive public office. 

Under the bill, a person who was denied (or threatened with denial of) access to the ballot could bring an action for equitable relief, and recover damages, in a court of proper jurisdiction.

The bill would define "unit of local government" to mean a city, county, township, village, school district, authority, or other political subdivision of this state and includes an entity jointly created by two or more units of local government.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill does not appear to have any significant fiscal impact.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault     

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.