SENATE BILL No. 7
January 10, 2001, Introduced by Senator JOHNSON and referred to the Committee on Farming, Agribusiness and Food Systems.
A bill to amend 1978 PA 361, entitled
"Michigan exposition and fairgrounds act,"
by amending sections 5, 6, and 9 (MCL 285.165, 285.166, and
285.169), as amended by 2000 PA 39.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
1 Sec. 5. The control of all land and other property held or
2 acquired by the state or its people for the purpose of holding
3 and conducting agricultural and industrial fairs and exhibitions
4 is vested in the department. HOWEVER, ALL ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED
5 ON SUCH LAND OR PROPERTY ARE SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE ORDINANCES IN
6 THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE LAND OR PROPERTY IS LOCATED,
7 INCLUDING ZONING ORDINANCES.
8 Sec. 6. (1) The
SUBJECT TO
SUBSECTION (2), THE department
9 shall do all of the following:
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1 (a) Conduct an annual state fair and other exhibits or
2 events for the purpose of promoting all phases of the economy of
3 this state. This fair and the exhibits or events shall encourage
4 and demonstrate agricultural, industrial, commercial, and recrea-
5 tional pursuits.
6 (b) Lease the state exposition and fairgrounds, a portion of
7 the state exposition and fairgrounds, or a building on the state
8 exposition and fairgrounds for purposes considered by the depart-
9 ment to be consistent with the staging of the state fair and
10 other exhibits or events. The department may determine and
11 impose rental charges and other fees for the use or lease of the
12 buildings and grounds or a portion of the buildings and grounds.
13 The department may lease properties to private and public organi-
14 zations for a period not to exceed 30 years for consideration
15 established by the department. The department may grant leases
16 for all or a portion of the state exposition and fairgrounds to
17 private and public organizations, conditional upon construction
18 and improvements according to plans approved by the department to
19 be financed by the lessees, for terms not to exceed 30 years.
20 The department may grant an extension of the lease term for not
21 more than an additional 20 years. The use of the state exposi-
22 tion and fairgrounds, a portion of the state exposition and fair-
23 grounds, or a building on the state exposition and fairgrounds
24 shall not interfere with the preparation for or holding of the
25 state fair and other exhibits or events. Land, a building, or
26 other property that is leased under this subdivision to a
27 for-profit business shall be leased at fair market value. All
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1 leases and contracts entered into under this act remain valid
2 until the expiration of the term of the lease or contract.
3 (c) Enter into contracts to conduct the annual state fair,
4 exhibits, or other events, at the state exposition and fair-
5 grounds that enhance agricultural, industrial, commercial, recre-
6 ational, educational, or cultural pursuits or government services
7 to citizens.
8 (2) THE STATE EXPOSITION AND FAIRGROUNDS OR ANY PORTION OF
9 THE STATE EXPOSITION AND FAIRGROUNDS SHALL NOT BE USED AS A MOTOR
10 VEHICLE RACETRACK.
11 Sec. 9. (1) A state exposition and fairgrounds council is
12 established within the department. The council shall consist of
13 the following members:
14 (a) The director or a designated representative.
15 (b) The director of the department of natural resources or a
16 designated representative.
17 (c) Nine
ELEVEN members, not more
than 5 6 of whom shall
18 be members of the same political party, appointed by the governor
19 by and with the consent of the senate. The term of office of
20 each member in this subdivision shall be 3 years except that, of
21 the members first appointed, 2 shall serve for 1 year, 3 shall
22 serve for 2 years, and 4 shall serve for 3 years. THE MEMBERS OF
23 THE COUNCIL FIRST APPOINTED TO THE 2 SEATS THAT WERE ADDED BY THE
24 AMENDATORY ACT THAT ADDED THIS SENTENCE SHALL SERVE FOR 3 YEARS.
25 In case of vacancy, an appointment to fill the vacancy shall be
26 made in the same manner as the original appointment for the
27 unexpired term. Three members shall be engaged in the
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1 agriculture industry, 1 member shall represent labor, 2 members
2 shall represent business, 1 member shall be from the travel
3 industry, 2 MEMBERS SHALL BE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM
4 LOCAL UNITS OF GOVERNMENT WITH GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES LESS THAN 5
5 MILES FROM THE STATE EXPOSITION AND FAIRGROUNDS, and 2 members
6 shall be from the general public.
7 (2) Council members shall be paid a per diem compensation
8 and receive reimbursement of expenses.
9 (3) The council shall select a chairperson and other offi-
10 cers from its membership.
11 (4) The director and the director of the department of natu-
12 ral resources shall not serve as officers of the council.
13 (5) The council shall be provided staff assistance by the
14 department to carry out its functions and shall meet not less
15 than 4 times per year.
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