Sec. 31.
(1) The unmanned aircraft systems task force is created to develop statewide policy recommendations on the operation, use, and regulation of unmanned aircraft systems in this state.
(2) Within 90 days after the effective date of this act, the governor shall appoint initial members of the unmanned aircraft systems task force. The individuals appointed to the unmanned aircraft systems task force by the governor, initially and subsequently, must comprise 1 member from each of the following agencies or interest groups:
(a) A member from the state transportation department nominated by the director of the state transportation department.
(b) A member from the division of the state transportation department that performs bridge inspections and road work, nominated by the director of the state transportation department.
(c) A member from the department of state police, nominated by the director of the department of state police.
(d) A member from the department of natural resources, nominated by the director of the department of natural resources.
(e) A member from the department of agriculture and rural development, nominated by the director of the department of agriculture and rural development.
(f) A member from the department of licensing and regulatory affairs nominated by the director of the department of licensing and regulatory affairs.
(g) A member from the department of corrections, nominated by the director of the department of corrections.
(h) An unmanned aircraft systems technical commercial representative.
(i) An unmanned aircraft systems manufacturing industry representative.
(j) A member who is licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate unmanned aircraft that weigh less than 55 pounds.
(k) A member who represents airports in this state, nominated by the director of the state transportation department.
(l) A member from the Michigan Municipal League, nominated by the executive director of the Michigan Municipal League.
(m) A law enforcement official from a municipality, nominated by a statewide police chiefs association.
(n) A member who represents county sheriffs, nominated by the president of the Michigan Sheriffs' Association.
(o) A member of a statewide agricultural association, nominated by the president of the association.
(p) A member of a statewide retail association, nominated by the president of the association.
(q) A member of a statewide manufacturing trade association, nominated by the president or chief executive officer of the association.
(r) A member of a statewide property and casualty insurance association, nominated by the president or chief executive officer of the association.
(s) A member of a statewide association that represents real estate brokers licensed in this state, nominated by the president of the association.
(t) A member of a statewide surveying association, nominated by the president of the association.
(u) A member of a statewide freight railroad association, nominated by the president of the association.
(v) A member of a statewide broadcasters association, nominated by the president of the association.
(w) A member who represents persons that operate key facilities, as that term is defined in section 552c of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.552c.
(x) A member who is knowledgeable about the operation of public utilities who represents public utilities in the Upper Peninsula, nominated by the chairman of the public service commission.
(y) A member who is knowledgeable about the operation of public utilities who represents public utilities in the Lower Peninsula, nominated by the chairman of the public service commission.
(z) A member who represents the Mackinac Bridge Authority, nominated by the authority.
(aa) A member who represents the city of Mackinac Island.
(3) Initial nominations to the unmanned aircraft systems task force must be submitted to the governor within 60 days after the effective date of this act. The governor shall make the initial appointments within 30 days after the close of nominations.
(4) Members of the unmanned aircraft systems task force shall serve for terms of 4 years or until a successor is appointed, whichever is later, except that of the initial members appointed, 6 members, as designated by the governor, shall serve for 1 year, 6 members, as designated by the governor, shall serve for 2 years, and 7 members, as designated by the governor, shall serve for 3 years.
(5) If a vacancy occurs on the unmanned aircraft systems task force, the governor shall make an appointment for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) The governor may remove a member of the unmanned aircraft systems task force for incompetence, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.
(7) The member from the state transportation department shall chair the unmanned aircraft systems task force and serve as a liaison to the governor and the standing committees in the house and senate that mainly deal with transportation issues. The unmanned aircraft systems task force shall meet as necessary to complete the duties of the task force. Meetings of the unmanned aircraft systems task force must be held in the central part of this state.
(8) A majority of the members of the unmanned aircraft systems task force constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the task force. A majority of the members present and serving are required for official action of the task force.
(9) The unmanned aircraft systems task force shall conduct its business at public meetings of the task force 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 unmanned aircraft systems task force 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) The members of the unmanned aircraft systems task force must receive no compensation for serving as members of the task force.
(12) The unmanned aircraft systems task force shall consider commercial and private uses of unmanned aircraft systems, landowner and privacy rights, as well as general rules and regulations for safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems, and prepare comprehensive recommendations for the safe and lawful operation of unmanned aircraft systems in this state. The recommendations must include, but not be limited to, recommendations regarding the protection of public and private property interests and the use of unmanned aircraft systems over public property.
(13) The state transportation department shall provide administrative support to the unmanned aircraft systems task force.
(14) The unmanned aircraft systems task force shall submit a report with recommendations to the governor and the standing committees in the house and senate that mainly deal with transportation issues within 3 months after the first meeting of the task force.
(15) After submitting the report required under subsection (14), the unmanned aircraft systems task force shall meet not less than once every 18 months to consider any new developments or problems that may require further consideration and recommendations by the task force.
History: 2016, Act 436, Eff. Apr. 4, 2017