December 15, 2015, Introduced by Senators WARREN, SCHUITMAKER, PROOS, BOOHER, MARLEAU, KNEZEK, GREGORY and HERTEL and referred to the Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security.
A bill to create a commission to commemorate the centennial of
World War I; to prescribe the powers and duties of the commission;
and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies
and officials.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "World
War I centennial commission act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Commission" means the World War I centennial commission
created in section 3.
(b) "Department" means the department of military and veterans
affairs.
(c) "Veteran" means that term as it is defined in section 1 of
1965 PA 190, MCL 35.61.
Sec. 3. (1) The World War I centennial commission is created
within the department.
(2) The commission shall consist of the director of the
department and 13 members, appointed by the governor with the
advice and consent of the senate.
(3) The members first appointed to the commission shall be
appointed within 90 days after the effective date of this act.
(4) If a vacancy occurs on the commission, the governor shall
make an appointment in the same manner as the original appointment.
(5) The governor may remove a member of the commission for
incompetence, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or
nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.
(6) The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the
director of the department. At the first meeting, the commission
shall elect from among its members a chairperson and other officers
as it considers necessary or appropriate. After the first meeting,
the commission shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently at
the call of the chairperson or if requested by 7 or more members.
(7) A majority of the members of the commission constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the
commission. A majority of the members present and serving are
required for official action of the commission.
(8) The business that the commission may perform shall be
conducted at a public meeting of the commission held in compliance
with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.
(9) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or
retained by the commission in the performance of an official
function is subject to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442,
MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
(10) Members of the commission shall serve without
compensation. However, members of the commission may be reimbursed
for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance
of their official duties as members of the commission.
Sec. 4. The commission shall do all of the following:
(a) Plan, develop, and execute programs, projects, and
activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I.
(b) Encourage private organizations and state and local
governments to organize and participate in activities organized by
the commission.
(c) Facilitate and coordinate World War I centennial
activities throughout this state.
(d) Serve as a clearinghouse for the collection and
dissemination of information about World War I centennial events
and plans.
(e) Develop recommendations on ways to commemorate the World
War I centennial in this state and provide a report on these
recommendations to the director, the governor, and the legislature.
Sec. 5. The department shall assist the commission in carrying
out its duties under this act.
Enacting section 1. This act takes effect 90 days after the
date it is enacted into law.