WHEREAS, Article V, Section 2, of the Constitution of the state of Michigan of 1963 empowers the Governor to make changes in the organization of the Executive Branch or in the assignment of functions among its units which he considers necessary for efficient administration; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Capitol Park Commission was created in the Department of Management and Budget in Section 298 of Act No. 431 of the Public Acts of 1984, added by Section 1 of Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1988, as amended, being Section 18.1298 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Capitol Park Commission is responsible, in part, for management of the development and operation of the Michigan Capitol Park, as well as an annual report to the Governor and Legislature regarding the activities of the Michigan Capitol Park; and

WHEREAS, the functions, duties and responsibilities assigned to the Michigan Capitol Park Commission can be more effectively organized and carried out by the Director of the Department of Management and Budget; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary in the interest of efficient administration and effectiveness of government to effect changes in the organization of the Executive Branch of government.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, John Engler, Governor of the state of Michigan, pursuant to the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the state of Michigan of 1963 and the laws of the state of Michigan, do hereby order the following:

1. Except as provided in paragraph 2 below, all of the statutory authority, powers, duties, functions and responsibilities of the Michigan Capitol Park Commission set forth in Section 298 of Act No. 431 of the Public Acts of 1984, added by Section 1 of Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1988, as amended, being Section 18.1298 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws, are hereby transferred to the Director of the Department of Management and Budget by a Type III transfer, as defined by Section 3 of Act No. 380 of the Public Acts of 1965, as amended, being Section 16.103 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

2. The real property described as the Michigan Veteran's Memorial Park, created and transferred to the Michigan Veteran's Memorial Park Commission by Executive Orders 1992-11 and 1992-12, and Act No. 132 of the Public Acts of 1992, being Section 18.1298b(4) of the Michigan Compiled Laws, is not affected by this Executive Order and shall remain within the jurisdiction of the Michigan Veteran's Memorial Park Commission.

3. The Director of the Department of Management and Budget shall provide executive direction and supervision for the implementation of the transfer. The assigned functions shall be administered under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Department of Management and Budget.

4. The Director of the Department of Management and Budget shall make internal organizational changes as may be administratively necessary to complete the realignment of responsibilities prescribed by this Order.

5. The Chairperson of the Michigan Capitol Park Commission and the Director of the Department of Management and Budget shall immediately initiate coordination to facilitate the transfer and develop a memorandum of record identifying any pending settlements, issues of compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, or other obligations to be resolved by the Michigan Capitol Park Commission.

6. The State Budget Director shall determine and authorize the most efficient manner possible for handling financial transactions and records in the state's financial management system for the remainder of the year.

7. All records, personnel, property and unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations and other funds used, held, employed, available or to be made available to the Michigan Capitol Park Commission for the activities transferred to the Director of the Department of Management and Budget by this Order are hereby transferred to the Director of the Department of Management and Budget.

8. All rules, orders, contracts and agreements relating to the assigned functions lawfully adopted prior to the effective date of this Order shall continue to be effective until revised, amended or repealed.

9. Any suit, action or other proceeding lawfully commenced by, against or before any entity affected by this Order shall not abate by reason of the taking effect of this Order. Any suit, action or other proceeding may be maintained by, against or before the appropriate successor of any entity affected by this Order.

10. The Michigan Capitol Park Commission is hereby abolished.

In fulfillment of the requirement of Article V, Section 2, of the Constitution of the state of Michigan of 1963, the provisions of this Executive Order shall become effective 60 days after the filing of this Order.

History: 2000, E.R.O. No. 2000-7, Eff. Nov. 13, 2000