Senate Bill 1366 Summary

• Establishes the Michigan Metropolitan Areas Metropolitan Authority as a metropolitan government under the state constitution to facilitate intergovernmental cooperation and efficient delivery of local services in metropolitan areas.

• Creates a 5-member Metropolitan Areas Council appointed by the governor, with at least 3 members from separate metropolitan areas, to govern the authority with 6-year terms after initial staggered appointments.

• Exempts the authority's property, income, activities, and operations from all state and local taxes and special assessments, including ad valorem property taxes.

• Grants the authority broad powers to adopt bylaws, enter contracts, obtain financing, employ staff, conduct audits and budgeting in compliance with state law, and promote intergovernmental cooperation and joint endeavors among public agencies statewide.

• Requires the council to adopt procurement policies, ethics standards, and conflict of interest procedures consistent with state law, with public meetings conducted under the open meetings act and records subject to freedom of information requirements.