Sec. 29a.

(1) The Michigan film office is created in the fund. The office shall be the successor to any authority, powers, duties, functions, or responsibilities of the Michigan film office under former section 21 of the history, arts, and libraries act, 2001 PA 63.

(2) The office may do all of the following:

(a) Promote and market locations, talent, crews, facilities, and technical production and other services related to film, digital media, and television production in this state.

(b) Provide to interested persons descriptive and pertinent information on locations, talent, crews, facilities, and technical production and other services related to film, digital media, and television production in this state.

(c) Provide technical assistance to the film, television, and digital media industry in locating and securing the use of locations, talent, crews, facilities, and services in this state.

(d) Encourage community and Michigan film, digital media, and television production industry participation in, and coordination with, state and local efforts to attract film, digital media, and television production in this state.

(e) Serve as this state's chief liaison with the film, digital media, and television production industry and with other governmental units and agencies for the purpose of promoting, encouraging, and facilitating film, digital media, and television production in this state.

(f) Explain the benefits and advantages of producing films, digital media, and television productions in this state.

(g) Assist film, digital media, and television producers with securing location authorization and other appropriate services connected with film, digital media, and television production in this state.

(h) Scout potential film locations for national and international film, digital media, and television prospects.

(i) Escort film, digital media, and television producers on location scouting trips.

(j) Serve as a liaison between film, digital media, and television producers, state agencies, local agencies, federal agencies, community organizations and leaders, and the film, digital media, and television industry in this state.

(k) Assist film, digital media, and television producers in securing permits to film at specific locations in this state and in obtaining needed services related to the production of a film, digital media, or a television program.

(l) Represent this state at film, digital media, and television industry trade shows and film festivals.

(m) Sponsor workshops or conferences on topics relating to filmmaking, including, but not limited to, screenwriting, film financing, and the preparation of communities to attract and assist film, digital media, and television productions in this state.

(n) Encourage cooperation between local, state, and federal government agencies and local film offices in the location and production of films, digital media, and television programming in this state.

(o) Coordinate activities with local film offices.

(p) Facilitate cooperation from state departments and agencies, local governments, local film offices, federal agencies, and private sector entities in the location and production of films, digital media, and television programming in this state.

(q) Prepare, maintain, and distribute a directory of persons, firms, and governmental agencies available to assist in the production of films, digital media, and television programming in this state.

(r) Prepare, maintain, and distribute a digital library depicting the variety and extent of the locations within this state for film, digital media, and television productions.

(s) Prepare and distribute appropriate promotional and informational materials that do all of the following:

(i) Describe desirable locations in this state for film, digital media, and television production.

(ii) Explain the benefits and advantages of producing films, digital media, and television productions in this state.

(iii) Detail services and assistance available from state government, from local film offices, and from the film, digital media, and television industry in this state.

(t) Solicit and accept gifts, grants, labor, loans, and other aid from any person, government, or entity. The film office shall disclose the identity and amount of all gifts, grants, and other donations on its website.

(u) Employ technical experts, other officers, agents, or employees, permanent or temporary, paid from the funds of the office. The office shall determine the qualifications, duties, and compensation of those the office employs.

(v) Contract for goods and services and engage personnel as necessary to perform the duties of the office under this chapter.

(w) Study, develop, and prepare reports or plans the office considers necessary to assist the office in the exercise of its powers under this chapter and to monitor and evaluate progress under this chapter.

(x) Exercise the duties and responsibilities vested in the office under this chapter and all of the following:

(i) Section 88d.

(ii) Section 88j(3)(e).

(iii) Section 4cc of the general sales tax act, 1933 PA 167, MCL 205.54cc.

(iv) Sections 455 to 459 of the Michigan business tax act, 2007 PA 36, MCL 208.1455 to 208.1459.

(y) Create and operate a film and digital media production assistance program to encourage film and digital media production throughout this state as provided in section 29h.

(z) All other things necessary or convenient to achieve the objectives and purposes of the office, this chapter, or other laws that relate to the purposes and responsibilities of the office.

(3) The enumeration of a power in this chapter shall not be construed as a limitation upon the general powers of the office. The powers granted under this chapter are in addition to those powers granted by any other law.

(4) The commissioner and the president of the fund shall cooperate in administering the budget, procurement, and related management functions of the office. The fund may provide the office with staff support and other services to assist the office in performing the functions and duties of the office.

(5) State departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and officers and local film offices shall cooperate with the office in the performance of the office's duties under this chapter.

History: Add. 2008, Act 75, Eff. May 4, 2008 ;-- Am. 2011, Act 291, Imd. Eff. Dec. 21, 2011 Popular Name: Strategic Fund