2003 House Bill 5216 ↩

Senate Roll Call 662: Passed

To allow cities above a certain size to enforce ordinances designated as "blight violations" through an alternative adjudication system which would bypass clogged district courts (such as the 36th district which serves Detroit). A city could establish an administrative hearings bureau, which would not be bound by the formal rules of evidence would that apply in criminal courts. The bureau could not impose jail sentences, but could impose civil fines of up to $10,000. Rulings by the bureau could be appealed to district court. Blight violations could include violations of local zoning laws, building or property maintenance codes, fire prevention codes, illegal dumping and solid waste disposal laws, noxious weeds ordinances, and local laws dealing with vehicle abandonment, inoperative vehicles, and vehicle impoundment. This is part of a legislative package comprised of House Bills 5216 to 5220, 5223, and 5224.