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Act 359 of 1947
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THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP ACT

Act 359 of 1947

AN ACT to authorize the incorporation of charter townships; to provide a municipal charter therefor; to prescribe the powers and functions thereof; and to prescribe penalties and provide remedies.


History: 1947, Act 359, Eff. Oct. 11, 1947 ;-- Am. 1998, Act 144, Eff. Mar. 23, 1999




The People of the State of Michigan enact:

DocumentTypeDescription
Section 42.1SectionShort title; charter townships; incorporation; powers, privileges, immunities and liabilities; petition; special census; expenses.
Section 42.1aSectionEmergency financial manager; authority and responsibilities.
Section 42.1bSectionMinimum staffing requirement; adoption of ordinance prohibited.
Section 42.2SectionIncorporation; referendum; ballot, form and content; filing of petition or resolution by township clerk; finality of proceedings; term of incumbent officers; disincorporation.
Section 42.2aSectionViolation of MCL 168.1 to 168.992 applicable to petitions; penalties.
Section 42.3SectionIncorporation; submission of proposition to electors, time; petitions, verification of signatures.
Section 42.3aSectionNotice to clerk of township not incorporated as charter township; resolution of township board; notice of right to referendum; petition; signatures; submitting question of incorporation at general or special election; wording of ballot.
Section 42.4SectionNomination of candidates for township office; conducting primary election; duties of township clerk; duties and composition of board of township election commissioners.
Section 42.5SectionTownship board; election of members; powers and duties; supervisor as presiding and executive officer; authentication of instruments; president pro tem; clerk; record of proceedings; temporary clerk.
Section 42.6SectionCharter township board; compensation and expenses of members.
Section 42.6aSectionOrdinance establishing procedure for determining salary of elected official; contents; conducting business at public meeting; public notice; resolution implementing ordinance; petition for referendum; change of procedure; decreasing salary of elected township official.
Section 42.7SectionTownship board; meetings; conducting business at public meeting; notice of meeting; transacting business at special meeting; quorum; adjournment; rules and order of business; journal; voting; availability of certain writings to public; attendance and conduct at meetings; misconduct in office; sergeant-at-arms.
Section 42.8SectionCharter township board; monthly publication of proceedings; notices and ordinances; posting.
Section 42.9SectionTownship officers; powers and duties; additional officers, limitations.
Section 42.10SectionTownship superintendent; appointment; delegation of powers and duties of township supervisor.
Section 42.10aSectionTownship manager; employment; service; duties.
Section 42.11SectionTownship superintendent; tenure; qualifications; residency requirements; waiver.
Section 42.11aSectionTownship assessors; appointment, powers and duties, compensation.
Section 42.12SectionTownship police force; establishment; township marshal, appointment; rules; policemen, powers and duties.
Section 42.13SectionTownship fire department; establishment; township fire chief, appointment; rules and regulations; refusal to aid at fire, penalty.
Section 42.13aSectionFree public library; establishment or reestablishment and maintenance; conditions; ordinance; resolution; board of directors; appointment of library advisory committee; rules and regulations; state aid.
Section 42.14SectionCharter township; power to acquire property; approval of electors.
Section 42.14aSectionBonds for public improvements; issuance; approval required; exceptions; limitation on net indebtedness; computation of net indebtedness; bonds subject to MCL 141.2101 to 141.2821; computation of net indebtedness.
Section 42.15SectionOrdinances to provide for peace, health, and safety; licenses, granting, fees, bonds.
Section 42.16SectionStreets, alleys, bridges and public places; regulation of use; record of ordinances, filing.
Section 42.17SectionConstruction of buildings; powers and liabilities of charter townships as to public health and safety.
Section 42.18SectionJoint action with other governmental unit or agency.
Section 42.19SectionOrdinances, resolutions, rules and regulations of former township; continuation.
Section 42.20SectionLegislation to be ordinance or resolution; form, passage, amendment, recording, authentication, and compilation of ordinances.
Section 42.21SectionViolation of ordinances; sanction; designation as civil infraction; act or omission constituting crime; penalty; distribution of fines.
Section 42.21aSectionPolice officers; right to pursue, arrest, and detain person outside of charter township limits.
Section 42.21bSectionPolice officer or constable; authority to execute bench warrant.
Section 42.21cSectionRegulation of recreational trailway; posting of ordinance; violation as municipal civil infraction; penalty.
Section 42.22SectionOrdinance; publication; effective date; publication of summary or true copy; catch lines required; drafting of summary.
Section 42.23SectionState law or standard code; adoption as township ordinance by citation; publication, distribution, charge.
Section 42.24SectionSubmission of itemized estimates of anticipated expenditures; preparation and submission of budget proposal; time.
Section 42.25SectionBudget proposal; contents; commencement of fiscal year.
Section 42.26SectionBudget; notice, public hearing, prior public inspection.
Section 42.27SectionAdoption of budget by township board; resolution; appropriation; tax levy; limitation; separate appropriation for fire and police departments; tax collection; interim budget.
Section 42.28SectionBudget or supplemental appropriations; expenditure, restrictions; unencumbered balances, transfer, reappropriation.
Section 42.29SectionQuarterly statement of estimated and actual income and expenses; submission by supervisor to township board; reduction of appropriations, exceptions.
Section 42.30SectionAnnual audit of accounts; results, filing, public inspection; annual report of township business.
Section 42.31SectionLocal or public improvements; approval; determination of necessity; special assessments; bonds.
Section 42.32SectionSuccession to properties of former township; suits or prosecutions, debts and liabilities, uncollected taxes and assessments.
Section 42.33SectionLiberal construction of act.
Section 42.34SectionExemption of charter township from annexation to contiguous city or village; exceptions.
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