Township reorganization.
Summary
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.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 6, 2026
Last action Feb 5, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Engrossed House Bill (S)
→
House Bill (H)
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from HB 1315.3 to HB 1315.1 and updated with new dates. The most significant change is the addition of a new eligibility criterion requiring townships to have low social service spending (benefits under 200% of the township budget) to qualify for reorganization. The timeline for consolidation was also adjusted to require action by June 1, 2026, instead of December 31, 2026.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly excludes townships that have begun consolidating by June 1, 2026, and adds a financial threshold to determine which townships are eligible for reorganization.
TIMELINE
The deadline for townships to adopt a reorganization resolution was moved from December 31, 2026, to June 1, 2026.
ELIGIBILITY
A new requirement was added stating that a township must not provide social assistance benefits exceeding 200% of its annual budget to be eligible for reorganization.
Townships that have already begun consolidating with another unit by June 1, 2026, are now explicitly excluded from this chapter.
DEFINITION
The definition of 'designated unit' was updated to include a county that becomes the unit under specific new sections of the bill.
Floor votes · House Feb 2, 2026
How they voted
55–43
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 99
Feb 2, 2026
D
Democratic29
100% Nay
I
Independent1
100% Yea
R
Republican69
78% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
13
Key actions
4
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Feb 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 194: yeas 55, nays 44
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Amendment #2 (Shonkwiler) prevailed; voice vote
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Recommitted to Committee on Ways and Means pursuant to House Rule 126.3
lower
3 primary · 3 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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