MI HB5687

Amends section 247 of the Drain Code of 1956 to clarify that county drain commissioners or drainage boards may employ an attorney if they consider it necessary.

Attorney fees and all attendant expenses and costs shall be charged to the drainage district on whose behalf the attorney is employed and paid from the drain fund or revolving drain fund of that district.

If the drain fund lacks sufficient funds, attendant expenses and costs shall be assessed to the drainage district in the same proportion as drain construction costs were assessed, with collections used to reimburse the revolving drain fund or pay the expenses.

Changes reference from "board of supervisors" to "board of commissioners" for county authorization of prosecuting attorney legal assistance to drain commissioners.

Defines "attendant expenses and costs" to include attorney fees, expert witness and consultant fees, litigation costs, judgments paid, and settlement or claim release costs incurred in furtherance of drainage district duties.