Bill Text: MI HB5994 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: State agencies (proposed); boards and commissions; African-American affairs commission; create. Creates new act.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-11-09 - Bill Electronically Reproduced 10/19/2016 [HB5994 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-HB5994-Introduced.html
HOUSE BILL No. 5994
October 19, 2016, Introduced by Rep. Bizon and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
A bill to create an African-American affairs commission; to
prescribe its powers and duties; and to prescribe the powers and
duties of certain agencies, departments, and officials.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"African-American affairs commission act".
Sec. 3. As used in this act:
(a) "African-American" means an individual who has origins in
any of the black groups of Africa, including, but not limited to,
individuals of Afro-Caribbean descent.
(b) "Commission" means the African-American affairs commission
created in section 5.
(c) "Department" means the department of licensing and
regulatory affairs.
Sec. 5. (1) The African-American affairs commission is created
within the department of licensing and regulatory affairs. The
commission shall exercise its powers and duties independently of
the department except for budget, procurement, and housekeeping
functions. The commission shall consist of 15 members appointed by
the governor. The governor shall designate a member of the
commission to serve as its chairperson at the pleasure of the
governor. The commission may designate a member of the commission
to serve as its vice-chairperson at the pleasure of the commission.
The commission may elect other officers from its members as the
commission considers appropriate.
(2) Members of the commission shall be individuals who have a
particular interest or expertise in African-American concerns.
(3) A member of the commission shall serve for a term of 3
years or until a successor is appointed, whichever is later, except
that of the members first appointed, 5 shall serve for 3 years, 5
shall serve for 2 years, and 5 shall serve for 1 year.
(4) If a vacancy occurs on the commission, the governor shall
make an appointment for the balance of the unexpired term in the
same manner as the original appointment.
(5) The governor shall appoint the commission within 90 days
after the effective date of this act.
Sec. 7. (1) Within 90 days after appointment and qualification
of all members, the commission shall adopt bylaws for the operation
of the commission. The bylaws shall include, at a minimum, voting
procedures and minimum requirements for attendance at meetings.
(2) The commission shall hold regular quarterly meetings at
places and on dates as determined by the commission. Special
meetings may be called by the chairperson or by not fewer than 8
commission members on 3 business days' actual notice.
(3) A majority of the commission members appointed and serving
constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting
of the commission. Official action by the commission shall be only
by affirmative vote of a majority of the commission members
appointed and serving. A commission member shall not vote by proxy.
(4) Members of the commission shall serve without compensation
but may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and expenses
according to relevant statutes and rules and procedures of the
department, subject to available appropriations.
(5) The department shall furnish administrative services to
the commission and shall provide secretarial and other staff
necessary to allow the proper exercise of the powers and duties of
the commission. The department shall provide adequate office space
to the commission. The department shall give notice of the times
and places of commission meetings and keep minutes of the meetings
and a record of the actions of the commission.
(6) The department shall assign professional employees to
staff the commission to assist the commission in the performance of
its substantive responsibilities under this act.
Sec. 9. (1) A meeting of the commission shall be held pursuant
to the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.
(2) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or
retained by the commission or office in the performance of an
official function shall be made available to the public pursuant to
the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.
Sec. 11. (1) The commission shall do all of the following:
(a) Stimulate and encourage the study and review of the status
of African-Americans in this state.
(b) Develop a unified policy and plan of action to serve the
needs of African-Americans in this state.
(c) Advise the governor and legislature concerning the
coordination and administration of state programs serving African-
Americans.
(d) Review, advise, and make recommendations to the governor
and legislature regarding changes in this state's programs,
statutes, and policies concerning African-Americans.
(e) Advise the governor and legislature of the nature,
magnitude, and priorities of the problems of African-Americans in
this state.
(f) Secure appropriate recognition of African-American
accomplishments and contributions to this state.
(g) Make recommendations to the governor and the director of
the department regarding methods of overcoming discrimination
against African-Americans.
(h) Promote methods to ensure equal access to state services
for African-Americans.
(i) Cooperate with and coordinate activities with the
commissions that deal with minority or ethnic affairs.
(j) Monitor, evaluate, investigate, advocate, and initiate
programs for the betterment of African-Americans in this state.
(k) Promote public awareness of cultures.
(l) Refer all legal, legislative, and media contacts to the
department of civil rights.
(2) This act does not confer upon the commission the authority
to conduct investigations into specific complaints of
discrimination or any other power or duty specifically granted to
the civil rights commission or department of civil rights by
section 29 of article V of the state constitution of 1963, or by
the Elliott-Larsen civil rights act, 1976 PA 453, MCL 37.2101 to
37.2804.
Enacting section 1. This act takes effect 90 days after the
date it is enacted into law.
