As used in this act:

    (a) "Employee" means a person who is employed by or is an employee of a federal agency, an institution of higher education, a local unit of government, or a state agency.

    (b) "Federal agency" means an agency, board, bureau, commission, department, division, office, or subdivision thereof of the federal government.

    (c) "Institution of higher education" means a public or private institution of a state which offers a degree or course of study beyond the twelfth grade.

    (d) "Local unit of government" means a city, county, township, village, school district, intermediate school district, or subdivision thereof of this state or any other state. A governmental subdivision of another state which is not the same as a local unit of government of this state is included if it is similar in organization or has similar powers and duties as a local unit of government of this state.

    (e) "Receiving agency" means a federal agency, institution of higher education, local unit of government, or a state agency which receives an employee from a sending agency pursuant to this act.

    (f) "Sending agency" means a federal agency, institution of higher education, local unit of government, or a state agency which sends an employee to a receiving agency pursuant to this act.

    (g) "State agency" means an agency, board, bureau, commission, department, division, office, or subdivision thereof of this state or another state.