Legislation aimed at granting counties the authority to abolish the drain commissioner's office was introduced Wednesday in the State Senate by a bipartisan coalition of senators.

Under Senate Bill 758, which is sponsored by Senators Jason Allen (R-Traverse City), Judson Gilbert (R-Algonac), Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Twp.) and Jim Barcia (D-Bay City), Cheboygan County and other counties with a population under 35,000 would be allowed to devolve the duties and responsibilities of the drain commissioner to the road commission..

The legislation is a companion to a bill introduced by Representative Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) in July. Both bills were modeled after my campaign promise to abolish my office.

This legislation reforms the way government is structured in Michigan by allowing taxpayers to decide the type of government that best serves their local community. It's time to take the first step in reforming and restructuring government at all levels across our great state.

If passed by both chambers and signed by the governor, counties could voluntary abolish the office of drain commissioner with the consent of the incumbent, a two-thirds vote of county commissioners and a majority of electors voting in support at a primary or general election held after August 2010.

Under current law, drain commissioners are required -- regardless of need -- in all counties with a population over 12,000. The position, which dates to Michigan's statehood in 1837, is responsible for overseeing water resources.