WHEREAS, Article V, Section 1, of the Constitution of the state of Michigan of 1963 vests the executive power in the Governor; and

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 citizens of this state are forever indebted to those men and women who have loyally served in our nation's armed forces; and

WHEREAS, the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission was established by Executive Order 1992-11 within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; and

WHEREAS, the veterans memorial park was established within the City of Lansing by Section 5a of Act No. 234 of 1988, as amended, being Section 35.1055a of the Michigan Compiled Laws; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to create a new Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission to oversee the completed Michigan Vietnam Memorial Monument and the veterans memorial park; and

WHEREAS, the purposes and functions of the current Veterans' Memorial Park Commission have evolved since the Commission's creation in 1992; and

WHEREAS, the powers, functions, duties and responsibilities assigned to the current Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission can be more effectively carried out by a new Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission; and

WHEREAS, it is necessary in the interests 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:

I. DEFINITIONS

A. "Commission" means the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission established by this Executive Order.

B. "Department of Management and Budget" means the principal department of state government created by Section 121 of Act No. 431 of the Public Acts of 1984, being Section 18.1121 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

C. "Department of Military and Veterans Affairs" means the principal department of state government created as the Department of Military Affairs by Section 125 of Act No. 380 of the Public Acts of 1965, being Section 16.225 of the Michigan Complied Laws and renamed the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs by Executive Order 1997-7, being Section 32.91 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

D. "Veterans memorial park" means the 2.5-acre parcel of land established and legally described by Section 5a of Act No. 234 of the Public Acts of 1988, as amended, being Section 35.1055a of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

II. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MICHIGAN VETERANS' MEMORIAL PARK COMMISSION

A. A new Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission is hereby created as a Type II entity within the Department of Management and Budget.

B. All the statutory authority, powers, duties, functions and responsibilities of the current Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission, including, but not limited to, the statutory authority, powers, duties, functions and responsibilities set forth in:

1. Executive Order 1992-11 (creating the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission; and,)

2. Executive Order 1992-12, being Section 35.1081 of the Michigan Compiled Laws (transferring authority over the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park and the duties of the Michigan Capitol Park Commission related to the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park from the Michigan Capitol Park Commission to the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park Commission;)

C. The Commission shall consist of seven (7) members:

Five members of the general public appointed by the Governor;

The Director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs who is the Adjutant General of state of Michigan, or the designee of the Director/Adjutant General; and

The Director of the Department of Management and Budget, or the designee of the Director of the Department of Management and Budget.

D. The members of the Commission appointed by the Governor shall serve a term of three (3) years, except that, of the members first appointed, two (2) members shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, two (2) members shall be appointed for a term of two(2) years, and one (1) member shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year.

E. Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

F. A person appointed to fill a vacancy created other than by expiration of a term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member who he or she is to succeed in the same manner as the original appointment. A member may be reappointed for additional terms.

III. CHARGE TO THE COMMISSION

The Commission shall assist the Department of Management and Budget with the following functions pursuant to the applicable law:

A. The Commission shall advise the Department of Management and Budget on the development, management and maintenance of the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park.

B. The Commission shall advise the Department and work with organizations on the operation of programs, exclusive to the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park.

C. The Commission shall advise the state police regarding the provisions of police and security services for the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park and the enforcement of rules for the care and preservation of the park.

D. The Commission shall coordinate with the City of Lansing regarding state activities or development of the Michigan Veterans' Memorial Park affecting city operations.

E. The Commission shall annually report to the Governor and the Legislature on the activities of the Commission.

IV. OPERATIONS OF THE COMMISSION

A. The Governor shall designate one (1) member of the Commission to serve as chairperson. This member shall serve as Chair at the pleasure of the Governor.

B. The Commission may promulgate bylaws, not inconsistent with law and with this Order, governing its organization, operation and procedure.

C. A majority of the serving members constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting. The Commission shall act by a majority vote of its serving members.

D. The Commission shall meet at the call of the chairperson and as may be provided in the bylaws of the Commission. Meetings of the Commission may be held at any location within the state of Michigan. The Commission shall meet at least semi-annually.

E. The Commission may, as appropriate, make inquiries, studies, investigations, hold hearings, and receive comments from the public. The Commission may consult with outside experts in order to perform its duties.

F. The Commission may establish one or more subcommittees consisting of Commission members to investigate and analyze specific issues, consistent with the charge to the Commission contained in Section III of this order. The chair of the Commission, or a member of the Commission designated by the chair, shall chair each subcommittee established by the Commission. Subcommittees shall recommend proposed actions, plans, comments, formulas, measures, reports or policies to the Commission, consistent with the Commission's charge. The Commission may adopt, reject or modify recommendations proposed by subcommittees.

G. Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation. Members of the Commission may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and expenses according to relevant statutes, rules and procedures of the Department of Management and Budget and the Civil Service Commission.

H. The Department of Management and Budget may hire or retain such contractors, sub-contractors, advisors, consultants and agents, and may make and enter into contracts necessary or incidental to the exercise of the performance of the Commission's duties, as the Department Director deems appropriate. Such procurements shall be in accordance with the relevant statutes, rules and procedures of the Department of Management and Budget and the Civil Service Commission.

I. The Commission may apply for, receive and expend monies from any source, public or private, including but not limited to, gifts, grants, donations of monies and government appropriations. The Commission may also accept donations of labor, services, or other things of value from any public or private agency or person. Individual members of the Commission shall fully comply with the provisions of the Act No. 196 of the Public Acts of 1973, as amended, being Section 15.341 et seq. of the Michigan Compiled Laws, governing the standards of conduct for public officers and employees of the state of Michigan.

J. Members of the Commission shall refer all legal, legislative and media issues to the Department of Management and Budget.

K. The Commission shall be staffed by personnel within the Department of Management and Budget as designated by the Director.

V. MISCELLANEOUS

A. All departments, committees, commissioners or officers of the state or of any political subdivision thereof shall give to the Commission, or to any member or representative thereof, any necessary assistance required by the Commission, or any member of representative thereof, in the performance of the duties of the Commission so far as is compatible with its, his or her duties; free access shall also be given to any books, records or documents in its, his or her custody, relating to matters within the scope of inquiry, study or investigation of the Commission.

B. The invalidity of any portion of this Order shall not affect the validity of the remainder thereof.

C. The Michigan Veterans' Park Commission, established with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs by Executive Order 1992-11, 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: 2001, E.R.O. No. 2001-4, Eff. Jan. 21, 2002