2003 House Bill 4552

Introduced in the House

April 9, 2003

Introduced by Rep. Jim Howell (R-94)

To rewrite the state Drain Code of 1956. The Drain Code establishes county drain commissions with extensive powers, including tax powers, to build and maintain public drains for public health, convenience, welfare, and economic development. With its extensive natural wetlands, drainage in Michigan has traditionally been extremely important to agriculture and land development. The bill would make a number of changes to the current process for initiating, maintaining, and paying for drains. There is a broad consensus that the 1956 code is out of date, but attempts in recent legislatures to update it have been highly controversial and have not been adopted. See also Senate Bill 217.

Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management