January 24, 2007, Introduced by Senator WHITMER and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
A bill to create the Michigan women's history commission; and
to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments,
agencies, commissions, and officers.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"Michigan women's history commission act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Department" means the department of history, arts, and
libraries.
(b) "Michigan women's history commission" or "commission"
means the Michigan women's history commission created in section 3.
Sec. 3. (1) The Michigan women's history commission is created
within the department. The budgeting, procurement, and related
functions of the commission and administrative responsibilities for
the staff of the commission shall be performed under the direction
and supervision of the department.
(2) 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) One member appointed by the governor from the Michigan
hall of fame of the Michigan women's studies association.
(d) Eight members at large appointed by the governor.
(e) The 3 following members serving ex officio without vote:
(i) The director of the Michigan department of education.
(ii) The director of the Michigan women's commission.
(iii) The director of the department.
(3) The first members appointed under subsection (2) shall be
appointed no later than April 1, 2008.
(4) Members of the commission appointed under subsection
(2)(c) and (d) shall serve for terms of 3 years or until a
successor is appointed, whichever is later, except that of the
members first appointed 3 shall serve for 1 year, 3 shall serve for
2 years, and 3 shall serve for 3 years. A member of the commission
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives or the
senate majority leader under subsection (2)(a) or (b),
respectively, shall hold office for a term of 2 years to coincide
with the term of office of state representative.
(5) A vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the
unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) The governor, speaker of the house of representatives, or
senate majority leader may remove a member of the commission
appointed by him or her for incompetency, dereliction of duty,
malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or any other
good cause.
(7) 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 appointed
under subsection (2)(a), (b), (c), and (d).
(8) A majority of the members of the commission appointed
under subsection (2)(a), (b), (c), and (d) constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business at a meeting of the commission. A
majority of the members appointed under subsection (2)(a), (b),
(c), and (d) present and serving are required for official action
of the commission.
(9) 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.
(10) 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.
(11) Members of the commission shall serve without
compensation. 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) Review, plan, and implement a master plan to promote and
preserve the history of women in this state to enhance Michigan's
tourism product and expand educational materials.
(b) Work in conjunction with state and federal authorities to
sponsor commemorations, linkages, seminars, and public forums on
women in this state.
(c) Assist and promote the making of applications for
inclusion in the national and state register of historic places for
significant historic places related to women in Michigan.
(d) Assist and develop partnerships to seek public and private
funds to carry out activities to protect, preserve, educate, and
promote the legacy of women in this state.
(e) Assist the department of education and other appropriate
organizations in developing and distributing curricula on women's
history.
Sec. 5. The commission shall annually report to the governor
and both houses of the legislature on the activities of the
commission in the prior calendar year.