Michigan § 399.833 - Michigan historical commission; creation; membership; appointment; terms; compensation; expenses; meetings; business conducted at public meeting; writings subject to freedom of information act; duties of commission.

(1) The Michigan historical commission is created within the department. The commission shall consist of the following members:

(a) One member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) One member appointed by the senate majority leader.

(c) Seven members appointed by the governor by and with the advice and consent of the senate. One of the members appointed under this subdivision shall be a representative of the Historical Society of Michigan. The governor shall make this appointment from a list of 3 persons nominated by the Historical Society of Michigan.

(d) The director of the department, or the director's representative, serving as an ex officio member.

(2) The governor shall appoint members of the commission under subsection (1)(c) for 4 years. However, any member serving on the former Michigan historical commission on April 5, 2017 shall serve on the commission until the expiration of his or her appointed term to the former Michigan historical commission.

(3) A member of the commission appointed to the commission by the speaker of the house of representatives or the senate majority leader under subsection (1)(a) or (b), respectively, shall hold office for a term of 2 years to coincide with the term of office of state representative.

(4) A member of the commission shall not receive any compensation for his or her services, except actual and necessary expenses while attending the meetings or carrying out the purposes of the commission.

(5) The commission shall meet annually to organize by electing 1 of its members as president and 1 as vice president, shall appoint a secretary, and shall arrange a time and place of holding regular meetings of the commission and special meetings of the commission as may be necessary.

(6) The commission shall meet at least 4 times each year at dates and times scheduled by the commission. At least 1 of the meetings each year shall be in Lansing.

(7) The business that the commission performs 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.

(8) 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.

(9) The commission shall do all of the following:

(a) Advise the department on its responsibilities related to the collection of historical artifacts and materials, and the dissemination of information on Michigan history.

(b) Perform responsibilities requested by the director, including both of the following:

(i) Collaborating and participating in Michigan history related initiatives, activities, efforts, and projects.

(ii) Assisting the Michigan history center in preparing an annual report to the governor and the legislature on Michigan history activities.

(c) Annually review the fee schedule for admissions fees at the Michigan history center and make recommendations on any appropriate adjustments to those fees. If the commission determines that an adjustment to admission fees is appropriate, the commission shall submit a report to the chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and minority vice-chairpersons of the senate and house appropriation subcommittees on natural resources that does all of the following:

(i) Includes a recommended admission fee schedule.

(ii) Provides a rationale for the recommended admission fee schedule.

(iii) Makes recommendations on the uses of any increases in the recommended admission fee schedule.

(d) Carry out other responsibilities as provided by law.