SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER VOTING                                                                  S.B. 1051:

                                                                                               COMMITTEE SUMMARY

Senate Bill 1051 (as introduced 3-28-12)

Sponsor:  Senator Joe Hune

Committee:  Education

Date Completed:  9-11-12

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised School Code to prohibit a board member of a school district, intermediate school district (ISD), or public school academy (PSA) from voting on a contract or other financial transaction that required board approval, if the board member believed or had reason to believe that he or she had a conflict of interest with regard to that contract or transaction.

Additionally, if a board member or his or her family member had a financial interest in the contract or other financial transaction, or were an employee of the district, ISD, or PSA, that board member would be presumed to have a conflict of interest.  The bill would define "family member" as a spouse, child, sibling, sibling's spouse or child, parent, or parent's spouse, and would include these relationships as created by adoption or marriage.

Proposed MCL 380.1203                                                                                              

FISCAL IMPACT

The fiscal impact on school districts, ISDs, and charter schools is indeterminate. To the extent a board member or members' conflict of interest currently hinders the cost effectiveness of a school board's decisions over contracts and financial transactions, the bill could result in cost savings for those districts, ISDs, or charter schools.

                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:  Cameron S. Mock

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.