March 21, 2017, Introduced by Senators CONYERS, BIEDA, PROOS, JONES, HERTEL, HOPGOOD, KNEZEK, NOFS, GREGORY and YOUNG and referred to the Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
A bill to create an athletes with an intellectual disability
empowerment commission; and to prescribe the powers and duties of
certain state agencies and officials.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"athletes with an intellectual disability empowerment commission
act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a)"Commission" means the athletes with an intellectual
disability empowerment commission created in section 3.
(b) "Department" means the department of health and human
services.
(c) "Fund" means the athletes with an intellectual disability
empowerment fund created in section 4.
Sec. 3. (1) The athletes with an intellectual disability
empowerment commission is created within the department.
(2) The commission consists of the following members:
(a) The lieutenant governor as an ex officio, nonvoting
member.
(b) An individual appointed by the governor.
(c) An individual appointed by the senate majority leader.
(d) An individual appointed by the senate minority leader.
(e) An individual appointed by the speaker of the house.
(f) An individual appointed by the house minority leader.
(g) Four individuals from public universities in this state
appointed by the governor.
(3) The members first appointed to the commission shall be
appointed within 60 days after the effective date of this act.
(4) Members of the commission shall serve for terms of 4 years
or until a successor is appointed, whichever is later, 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.
(5) A vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the
unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) The governor may remove a member of the commission for
incompetence, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or
nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.
(7) The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the
lieutenant governor. At the first meeting, the commission shall
elect from among its members a chairperson and other officers as it
considers necessary or appropriate. After the first meeting, the
commission shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently at the
call of the chairperson or if requested by 6 or more voting
members.
(8) A majority of the members of the commission constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the
commission. A majority of the members present and serving are
required for official action of the commission.
(9) The business that the commission may perform shall be
conducted at a public meeting of the commission 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 commission 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) Members of the commission shall serve without
compensation. However, members of the commission may be reimbursed
for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance
of their official duties as members of the commission.
(12) The commission shall do all of the following:
(a) Promote and raise awareness of recreational opportunities
and athletic competitions for athletes with an intellectual
disability.
(b) Educate the general public on the benefits of athletics
for people with intellectual disabilities.
(c) Provide funding to identify and develop training programs
for athletes with an intellectual disability.
(d) Connect athletes with an intellectual disability with
medical and sports programs at public universities in this state.
(e) Investigate opportunities to attract events and
championships for athletes with an intellectual disability to this
state.
Sec. 4. (1) The athletes with an intellectual disability
empowerment fund is created within the state treasury.
(2) The state treasurer may receive money or other assets from
any source for deposit into the fund. The state treasurer shall
direct the investment of the fund. The state treasurer shall credit
to the fund interest and earnings from fund investments.
(3) Money in the fund at the close of the fiscal year shall
remain in the fund and shall not lapse to the general fund.
(4) The department shall be the administrator of the fund for
auditing purposes.
(5) The department shall expend money from the fund, upon
appropriation, only for 1 or more of the following purposes:
(a) To provide funding for training of athletes with an
intellectual disability.
(b) To promote and identify opportunities for athletes with an
intellectual disability to participate in athletic events and
competitions.
(c) To provide educational materials on the benefits of
participation in athletic events and competitions for athletes with
an intellectual disability.
(d) To provide funding to evaluate individuals for placement
on the intellectual disability spectrum.