Miller’s legislation removing unnecessary red tape signed into law

State Rep. Aaron Miller’s plan allowing local recreational authority boards to spend more of their budgets on improving Michigan communities – rather than meeting burdensome government mandates – has been signed into law.

Miller, of Sturgis, said state law previously required recreational authority boards to pay for and conduct an annual audit, regardless of the size of their budget.

“Some entities were being forced to spend nearly half of their annual budget on an audit, just so they were in compliance with this burdensome regulation,” Miller said. “The new law will allow recreational authority boards to spend their money more efficiently and effectively, on projects that improve our local communities.”

Earlier this year, Lindsay Oswald, St. Joseph County clerk and volunteer director for the River Country Recreational Authority, joined Miller to testify in support of the legislation. Oswald said past budgets for the recreational authority, based in Three Rivers, have been eaten up by audits – including a year where the organization had just one transaction.

House Bill 4408 – now Public Act 128 of 2019 – allows audits to occur once every two years if a recreational authority doesn’t levy taxes or spend more than $100,000 a year.

Miller said the new law has safeguards to prevent misuse of funds. For example, the Department of Treasury may require an annual audit if there is any indication of accounting irregularities.

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