Sec. 4.
(1) If a governing body determines that it is necessary for the best interests of the public to promote access to postsecondary education, the governing body may, by resolution, declare its intention to establish a promise zone.
(2) A governing body shall set a date for a public hearing on the adoption of a proposed resolution establishing a promise zone. Notice of the public hearing shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the eligible entity, at least 20 and not more than 40 days before the date of the hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be posted in at least 20 conspicuous and public places in the eligible entity at least 20 days before the hearing. The notice shall state the date, time, and place of the hearing and shall describe the proposed promise zone, the details of the promise of financial assistance, and the criteria for eligibility to receive that financial assistance.
(3) At least 30 days after the public hearing, if the governing body of an eligible entity intends to proceed with the establishment of a promise zone, it shall submit an application to the department of treasury seeking approval to establish the promise zone.
(4) The department of treasury shall review an application submitted under subsection (3) and shall determine if the governing body of the eligible entity that submitted the application is eligible to establish a promise zone under this act. If so, the department of treasury shall certify the eligibility of that governing body to establish a promise zone. The department of treasury shall review the applications submitted under subsection (3) on a first-come, first-served basis and shall not certify more than 15 governing bodies of eligible entities as eligible to establish a promise zone under this act.
(5) If the department of treasury certifies that the governing body of the eligible entity is eligible to create a promise zone, the governing body shall, by resolution, establish a promise zone.
(6) Within 90 days after a governing body approves a resolution to establish a promise zone, a local school district may by resolution elect not to participate in the establishment of a promise zone by the governing body of the eligible entity in which the local school district is located. The resolution shall include a provision that the local school district will establish a separate promise zone under this act. If the local school district does not establish a promise zone within a reasonable period of time, the department of treasury may include that local school district in the promise zone established by the eligible entity in which the local school district is located.
(7) If a governing body of an eligible entity by resolution dissolves a promise zone established under subsection (5), the department of treasury's certification authorizing that promise zone under subsection (4) is terminated and does not count toward the limit of 15 certifications under subsection (4).
History: Add. 2016, Act 9, Imd. Eff. Feb. 16, 2016 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 150, Imd. Eff. Nov. 6, 2017