summary
Introduced
01/06/2026
01/06/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Passed
Dead
02/27/2026
02/27/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Township reorganization. Provides that on January 1, 2028, certain townships are dissolved and their powers, duties, offices, and property are transferred to a municipality or county. Requires a township to adopt a resolution not later than June 1, 2026, that designates the municipality or county (designated unit) that will reorganize with the township. Requires the appointment of a joint board consisting of representatives of the township and the designated unit to prepare a plan of reorganization. Provides that a township must reorganize with the county if: (1) the township does not adopt a resolution by June 1, 2026; or (2) the municipality that the township designated in its resolution does not adopt a reorganization plan by December 31, 2026. Provides that if: (1) the designated unit is a municipality; and (2) part of a township is located outside the municipality; the municipality must establish an urban township services district and a rural township services district. Requires the county fiscal body to approve the budget, tax rate, and tax levy imposed by the municipality within the boundaries of the rural township services district. Provides that a designated unit has all of the powers of the government modernization act in reorganizing the township. Amends the government modernization act to require a political subdivision to respond to a resolution that names the political subdivision as a participant in a proposed reorganization. Provides that a township that operates a fire department is not subject to dissolution. Provides that a township does not operate a fire department if the township is a participating unit (not a provider unit) in a fire protection territory (territory) or is within a fire protection district (district). Provides that after a reorganization: (1) the area within the boundaries of the dissolved township remains in the territory or district; and (2) the designated unit succeeds the dissolved township in its role in the territory or district.
AI Summary
This bill mandates the reorganization and dissolution of certain townships by January 1, 2028, transferring their powers, duties, offices, and property to a designated municipality or county. Townships must pass a resolution by June 1, 2026, to select a "designated unit" (a municipality or county) for reorganization, and a joint board composed of representatives from both the township and the designated unit will create a reorganization plan. If a township fails to adopt this resolution by the deadline, or if a designated municipality does not adopt a reorganization plan by December 31, 2026, the township will automatically reorganize with its county. If the designated unit is a municipality and part of the township lies outside its boundaries, the municipality must establish separate urban and rural township services districts, with the county fiscal body overseeing the budget, tax rate, and levy for the rural district. The bill also grants the designated unit the powers of the "government modernization act" (a law facilitating governmental changes) during this reorganization process and requires political subdivisions to respond to proposed reorganizations. Importantly, townships that operate their own fire departments are exempt from dissolution, and a township is considered not to operate a fire department if it's part of a fire protection territory or district without being the primary provider. Following reorganization, the dissolved township's area remains within any existing fire protection territories or districts, with the designated unit assuming the township's role.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Alaina Shonkwiler (R)*,
Chris Garten (R),
Tyler Johnson (R),
Ryan Lauer (R),
Chris May (R),
Doug Miller (R),
Last Action
First reading: referred to Committee on Local Government (on 02/05/2026)
Taxonomy
Government Operations
- ‐ Government Efficiency and Bureaucratic Oversight
- ‐ Intergovernmental Relations
Local Government
- ‐ General Local Government
Official Document
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