PUBLIC WORKS: RENEWABLE ENERGY                                                              S.B. 763:

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

Senate Bill 763 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Mark C. Jansen

Committee:  Energy and Technology

CONTENT

The bill would amend Public Act 185 of 1987, which governs a county department and board of public works, to authorize a county with a department of public works to acquire a renewable energy system within one or more areas in the county, and to improve, enlarge, extend, operate, and maintain the system.

In addition to acquiring a water supply system, sewage disposal system, or refuse system within the county, the Act allows a county to acquire any part of a necessary water supply system, sewage disposal system, or refuse system outside its corporate limits.  A county also may acquire any part of such a system in an adjoining county or counties upon the consent of the governing body of the municipality or municipalities in which that part of the system is to be located or that is to be served by that part of the system.  The bill would extend these and other provisions applicable to such systems to the acquisition of a renewable energy system.

MCL 123.731 et al.                                                        Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no impact on State revenue or expenditures.  The bill could increase local unit expenditures and local unit revenue by an unknown amount, depending on the specific aspects of a county's activities with respect to renewable energy systems.  To the extent that a local unit took on additional activities with respect to renewable energy systems, the bill could increase expenditures.  Similarly, the Act allows various means of generating revenue to finance activities and a local unit could choose to exercise one or more of those options to fund the additional renewable energy system's activities.

Date Completed:  6-4-12                                                          Fiscal Analyst:  David Zin

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.