State Rep. Annette Glenn this week introduced a proposal allowing public safety personnel to fill another important role in the communities they serve.

Glenn’s legislation would allow local government officials to appoint volunteer and paid on-call police officers, firefighters and medical first responders to local planning commissions. Glenn’s proposal would allow more options for including knowledgeable, invested residents on the boards helping communities with vital planning, development and advisory functions.

“There are volunteer and on-call personnel who want to serve on local planning commissions, but current state law does not allow it,” said Glenn, of Midland. “This plan would change the law to permit these first responders – who already know and love their communities – to serve in another capacity. This change would strengthen Michigan communities by allowing good public servants to offer their valuable insights and knowledge to local planning commissions across the state.”

Current Michigan law bars volunteer and on-call public safety personnel from planning commissions because they are technically considered employees of the local unit of government – even though they do not receive regular pay, if any, from the municipality. Glenn’s bill simply gives local elected officials the ability to appoint these public safety personnel to planning commissions if they see fit.

“Planning commissions help local communities develop their unique personalities and profiles,” Glenn said. “I’m proud to offer legislation helping local governments find great people to serve on these important boards.”

The legislation is House Bill 5119.

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