Sec. 2.

As used in this act:

(a) "Commercial housing property" means that portion of real property not occupied by an owner of that real property that is classified as residential real property under section 34c of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.34c, is a multiple-unit dwelling, or is a dwelling unit in a multiple-purpose structure, used for residential purposes. Commercial housing property also includes a building or group of contiguous buildings previously used for industrial purposes that will be converted to a multiple-unit dwelling or dwelling unit in a multiple-purpose structure, used for residential purposes.

(b) "Commercial property" means land improvements classified by law for general ad valorem tax purposes as real property including buildings and improvements assessable as real property pursuant to sections 8(d) and 14(6) of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.8 and 211.14, the primary purpose and use of which is the operation of a commercial business enterprise. Commercial property shall also include facilities related to a commercial business enterprise under the same ownership at that location, including, but not limited to, office, engineering, research and development, warehousing, parts distribution, retail sales, and other commercial activities. Commercial property also includes a building or group of contiguous buildings previously used for industrial purposes that will be converted to the operation of a commercial business enterprise or a multiple-unit dwelling or a dwelling unit in a multiple-purpose structure, used for residential purposes. Commercial property does not include any of the following:

(i) Land.

(ii) Property of a public utility.

(c) "Commission" means the state tax commission created by 1927 PA 360, MCL 209.101 to 209.107.

(d) "Department" means the department of treasury.

(e) "Facility", except as otherwise provided in this act, means a building or group of contiguous buildings.

(f) "Functionally obsolete" means that term as defined in section 2 of the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL 125.2652.

(g) "Obsolete properties tax" means the specific tax levied under this act.

(h) "Obsolete property" means commercial property or commercial housing property, that is 1 or more of the following:

(i) Blighted, as that term is defined in section 2 of the brownfield redevelopment financing act, 1996 PA 381, MCL 125.2652.

(ii) A facility as that term is defined under section 20101 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.20101.

(iii) Functionally obsolete.

(i) "Obsolete property rehabilitation district" means an area of a qualified local governmental unit established as provided in section 3. Only those properties within the district meeting the definition of "obsolete property" are eligible for an exemption certificate issued pursuant to section 6.

(j) "Obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate" or "certificate" means the certificate issued pursuant to section 6.

(k) "Qualified local governmental unit" means 1 or more of the following:

(i) A city with a median family income of 150% or less of the statewide median family income as reported in the 1990 federal decennial census that meets 1 or more of the following criteria:

(A) Contains or has within its borders an eligible distressed area as that term is defined in section 11(u)(ii) and (iii) of the state housing development authority act of 1966, 1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1411.

(B) Is contiguous to a city with a population of 500,000 or more.

(C) Has a population of 10,000 or more that is located outside of an urbanized area as delineated by the United States bureau of the census.

(D) Is the central city of a metropolitan area designated by the United States office of management and budget.

(E) Has a population of 100,000 or more that is located in a county with a population of 2,000,000 or more according to the 1990 federal decennial census.

(ii) A township with a median family income of 150% or less of the statewide median family income as reported in the 1990 federal decennial census that meets 1 or more of the following criteria:

(A) Is contiguous to a city with a population of 500,000 or more.

(B) All of the following:

(I) Contains or has within its borders an eligible distressed area as that term is defined in section 11(u)(ii) of the state housing development authority act of 1966, 1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1411.

(II) Has a population of 10,000 or more.

(iii) A village with a population of 500 or more as reported in the 1990 federal decennial census located in an area designated as a rural enterprise community before 1998 under title XIII of the omnibus budget reconciliation act of 1993, Public Law 103-66, 107 Stat. 416.

(iv) A city that meets all of the following criteria:

(A) Has a population of more than 20,000 or less than 5,000 and is located in a county with a population of 2,000,000 or more according to the 1990 federal decennial census.

(B) As of January 1, 2000, has an overall increase in the state equalized valuation of real and personal property of less than 65% of the statewide average increase since 1972 as determined for the designation of eligible distressed areas under section 11(u)(ii)(B) of the state housing development authority act of 1966, 1966 PA 346, MCL 125.1411.

(l) "Rehabilitation" means changes to obsolete property other than replacement that are required to restore or modify the property, together with all appurtenances, to an economically efficient condition. Rehabilitation includes major renovation and modification including, but not necessarily limited to, the improvement of floor loads, correction of deficient or excessive height, new or improved fixed building equipment, including heating, ventilation, and lighting, reducing multistory facilities to 1 or 2 stories, adding additional stories to a facility or adding additional space on the same floor level not to exceed 100% of the existing floor space on that floor level, improved structural support including foundations, improved roof structure and cover, floor replacement, improved wall placement, improved exterior and interior appearance of buildings, and other physical changes required to restore or change the obsolete property to an economically efficient condition. Rehabilitation shall not include improvements aggregating less than 10% of the true cash value of the property at commencement of the rehabilitation of the obsolete property.

(m) "Rehabilitated facility" means a commercial property or commercial housing property that has undergone rehabilitation or is in the process of being rehabilitated, including rehabilitation that changes the intended use of the building. A rehabilitated facility does not include property that is to be used as a professional sports stadium. A rehabilitated facility does not include property that is to be used as a casino. As used in this subdivision, "casino" means a casino or a parking lot, hotel, motel, or retail store owned or operated by a casino, an affiliate, or an affiliated company, regulated by this state pursuant to the Michigan gaming control and revenue act, the Initiated Law of 1996, MCL 432.201 to 432.226.

(n) "Taxable value" means the value determined under section 27a of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.27a.

History: 2000, Act 146, Imd. Eff. June 6, 2000 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 70, Imd. Eff. Mar. 20, 2006