Sec. 29c.

(1) The Michigan film office advisory council is created in the office. The council shall consist of the following members:

(a) Fourteen individuals appointed by the governor as follows:

(i) Five members associated with broad areas of film, digital media, and motion picture making, production of television programs and commercials, and related industries in Michigan.

(ii) Two members from film, television, digital media, or related industry unions.

(iii) One member representing theater owners based in this state.

(iv) One member representing local film offices or local units of government.

(v) One individual selected from a list of 3 or more nominees submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(vi) One individual selected from a list of 3 or more nominees submitted by the senate majority leader.

(vii) Three other residents of this state, including at least 2 residents not active in the film, television, digital media, and related industries.

(b) The commissioner, who shall serve as an ex officio nonvoting member of the council.

(c) The president of the fund.

(2) The governor shall designate 1 member of the council to serve as chairperson of the council at the pleasure of the governor. The members of the council may elect a member of the council to serve as vice-chairperson of the council and may elect other members of the council as officers of the council as the council considers appropriate.

(3) Except as provided in subsection (4), the term of office of each member of the council appointed by the governor under subsection (1)(a) shall be 4 years.

(4) Of the members of the council initially appointed by the governor under subsection (1)(a), 4 shall be appointed for terms expiring on September 30, 2008, 4 shall be appointed for terms expiring on September 30, 2009, 3 shall be appointed for terms expiring on September 30, 2010, and 3 shall be appointed for terms expiring on September 30, 2011.

(5) If a vacancy occurs on the council other than by expiration of a term, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term.

(6) Members of the council shall serve without compensation but, subject to available appropriations, may receive reimbursement for their actual and necessary expenses while attending meetings or performing other authorized official business of the council.

(7) The council may do 1 or more of the following:

(a) Advise the office, the fund, the governor, and the legislature on how to promote and market this state's locations, crews, facilities, and technical production facilities and other services used by film, television, digital media, and related industries.

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

(c) Assist the office and the fund in promoting, encouraging, and facilitating film, digital media, television, and related production in this state.

(d) Develop strategies and methods to attract film, digital media, television, and related business to this state.

(e) Under direction of the office, provide assistance to film, digital media, television, and related service personnel who use this state as a business location.

(f) Sponsor and support official functions for film, digital media, television, and related industries.

(g) Assist in the establishment of film, digital media, and television ventures and such related matters as the office considers appropriate.

(h) Make inquiries, studies, and investigations, hold hearings, and receive comments from the public. The council may also consult with outside experts in order to perform its duties, including, but not limited to, experts in the private sector, organized labor, government agencies, and at institutions of higher education.

(i) Provide other assistance or advice relating to the duties of the council under this chapter as requested by the commissioner.

(8) The council shall meet not less than 3 times per year and at the call of its chairperson.

(9) A meeting of the council shall be conducted as a public meeting held in compliance with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275. Notice of the date, time, and place of a public meeting of the council shall be given as prescribed in the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275. A majority of the members of the council serving constitute a quorum for the transaction of the council's business. The council shall act by a majority vote of its serving members.

(10) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by the council when performing business of the council is subject to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246, except that such a writing may be kept confidential for up to 6 months after the date a request to inspect, obtain, or copy the writing is received, if, in the judgment of the chairperson of the council, disclosure of the record would compromise or otherwise undermine the ability of Michigan industry to compete in the promotion and marketing of Michigan's locations, crews, facilities, and technical production and other services.

(11) A member of the council shall not use for personal gain information obtained by the member while performing business of the council, nor shall a member of the council disclose confidential information obtained by the member while conducting council business, except as necessary to perform council business. The council shall adopt a code of ethics for its members and establish policies and procedures requiring the disclosure of relationships that may give rise to a conflict of interest. The council shall require that any member of the council with a direct or indirect interest in any matter before the council disclose the member's interest to the council before the council takes any action on the matter.

History: Add. 2008, Act 75, Eff. May 4, 2008 Popular Name: Strategic Fund