Bill > HB6240

This bill, amending Michigan's Home Rule City Act, establishes new attendance requirements for members of a city's legislative body, such as a city council. Specifically, if a member misses more than 50% of the regular meetings of their legislative body within a 12-month period, they can be removed from office for willful neglect of duty, a process outlined in the Michigan Election Law. For the purpose of these attendance rules, only meetings officially designated as regular before the start of the calendar year or those added through established city procedures will count. Absences due to military service, a documented temporary medical condition, or federally permitted leave are excused, provided the member submits written documentation to the city clerk. Additionally, a member's absence can be excused if the legislative body determines by a majority vote at a public meeting that it was due to an extraordinary circumstance. The city clerk is responsible for confirming receipt of documentation for excused absences but not for judging its validity, and they are protected from civil liability if acting in good faith. The city clerk will also notify a member if they have missed 40% or more of regular meetings and will initiate removal proceedings if the member subsequently exceeds the 50% absence threshold. Any removal creates a vacancy to be filled according to the city's charter. "Military service" is defined as in the Revised Judicature Act, and "regular meeting" refers to a meeting designated as such under the Open Meetings Act and required by law, charter, or ordinance.