MI HB5415

Creates the Father Marquette national memorial and Mackinac straits area museum advisory board within the Department of Natural Resources.

Advisory board consists of 13 members: one appointed by the Speaker of the House, one by the Senate Majority Leader, the DNR director (non-voting), and nine appointed by the Governor including representatives from St. Ignace, Moran Township, Mackinac County, the Michilimackinac Historical Society, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, three general citizens, and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission.

Board members must be Michigan residents and serve without compensation, though may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses; members appointed by legislative leaders serve 2-year terms while governor-appointed members serve 4-year terms.

Advisory board shall meet at least twice annually and may advise the department on museum policies, facilitate historic preservation cooperation, encourage property donations, promote public use, advise on maintenance and expansion, and apply for grants to support the museum site.

All advisory board meetings must comply with the Open Meetings Act of 1976, with public notice required, and all records are subject to the Freedom of Information Act of 1976.