House Bill 5994 Summary

• Creates the African-American Affairs Commission within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs with 15 governor-appointed members serving staggered 3-year terms.

• Commission members must have particular interest or expertise in African-American concerns and shall serve without compensation but may receive reimbursement for travel and necessary expenses.

• Commission shall hold regular quarterly meetings, adopt bylaws within 90 days of full appointment, and operate under open meetings and freedom of information requirements.

• Commission powers include studying the status of African-Americans in Michigan, developing unified policy and action plans, advising the governor and legislature on African-American issues, and promoting equal access to state services.

• Commission cannot conduct investigations into discrimination complaints, as those powers remain exclusively with the Civil Rights Commission and Department of Civil Rights; takes effect 90 days after enactment.