Sec. 9.
(1) A state exposition and fairgrounds authority shall be governed by the 11-member authority board appointed under this section. The authority board shall consist of the following members:
(a) The director or a designated representative as an ex officio voting member.
(b) The director of the department of agriculture or a designated representative as an ex officio voting member.
(c) Nine members, not more than 5 of whom shall be members of the same political party, appointed by the governor by and with the consent of the senate. The term of office of each member in this subdivision shall be 3 years 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. The former state exposition and fairgrounds council existing before March 1, 2005 is abolished. The governor shall appoint the 9 appointed members to serve on the authority board, and the terms of those members shall begin on March 1, 2005. Members of the former council are eligible for appointment to the authority board if otherwise qualified. It is the intent of the legislature that the members of the authority board represent all geographic areas of the state. The 9 appointed members shall be chosen from the following categories:
(i) Three members representing agricultural interests.
(ii) One member representing the tourism industry in Michigan.
(iii) Two members of the general public.
(iv) One member representing organized labor.
(v) One member representing the business community.
(vi) One member representing county fairs.
(2) Upon appointment to the authority board under subsection (1), and upon the taking and filing of the constitutional oath of office, a member of the authority board shall enter the office and exercise the duties of the office.
(3) Regardless of the cause of a vacancy on the authority board, the governor shall fill a vacancy in the office of a member of the authority board by appointment by and with the advice and consent of the senate. A vacancy shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term. A member of the authority board shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and has qualified.
(4) Members of the authority board and officers and employees of the authority are subject to 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330. A member of the authority board or an officer, employee, or agent of the authority board shall discharge the duties of his or her position in a nonpartisan manner, with good faith, and with that degree of diligence, care, and skill that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances in a like position. In discharging his or her duties, a member of the authority board or an officer, employee, or agent of the authority board, when acting in good faith, may rely upon the opinion of counsel for the authority, upon the report of an independent appraiser selected with reasonable care by the authority board, or upon financial statements of the authority represented to the member of the authority board, officer, employee, or agent to be correct by the officer of the authority having charge of its books or account, or stated in a written report by the auditor general or a certified public accountant or the firm of the accountants fairly to reflect the financial condition of the authority.
(5) The authority board may adopt bylaws and policies and procedures for conducting its business. Six members of the authority board constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. An action of the authority board requires a concurring vote by 6 members of the authority board.
(6) Authority board members shall serve without compensation and shall receive reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses.
(7) The governor shall designate a member of the authority board to serve as its chairperson, who shall serve as chairperson at the pleasure of the governor. The authority board shall annually select other officers from its membership.
(8) The director and the director of the department of agriculture shall not serve as officers of the authority board.
(9) The authority board shall meet not less than 4 times per year.
(10) At least 1 meeting of the authority board shall be dedicated to soliciting input from the local neighborhood advisory council established under section 15b, the surrounding communities, and local units of government.
History: 1978, Act 361, Imd. Eff. July 22, 1978 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 39, Imd. Eff. Mar. 24, 2000 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 468, Eff. Mar. 1, 2005