Sec. 5.

(1) An application may be filed by 1 of the following persons or agencies:

(a) A person owning or in possession of a historic resource or a person having written consent from the owner or person in possession of a historic resource.

(b) A department or agency of this state or of a political subdivision of this state owning, controlling, or in possession of a historic resource.

(c) The commission on its own motion with consent from the landowner.

(2) A person or agency may submit an application for a marker to the center only on a form prescribed by the center in consultation with the commission. The form shall include all requested information and be accompanied by the following attachments:

(a) Current and, if available, historic images.

(b) Documentation supporting representations in the application from recognized and authoritative sources, supporting the historic significance of the historic resource.

(c) Any additional documents requested.

(3) An application and all attachments submitted to the center under subsection (2) become the property of this state.

(4) An applicant shall pay the center an application fee of $250.00 at the time an application is submitted. The center may not process an application without this fee. The center shall forward the fee to the state treasurer for deposit into the fund. The center shall refund the fee if the center decides the historic resource is not eligible for a marker.

(5) The center shall review each application for completeness and accuracy. The center's review may include verification of the accuracy of furnished information and the location of the historic resource or site. The center may request the applicant to furnish additional information considered necessary to complete the center's review of the application and attachments.

(6) Submission of an application does not guarantee that a historic resource or site will receive an official Michigan historical marker. If the commission concludes that the application meets the criteria for the placement of an official Michigan historical marker, the commission shall approve the application and the center shall work with the sponsor to prepare marker text for presentation to the commission. However, if the commission concludes that the application fails to meet a criterion or another requirement for placement of a marker, the center shall notify the applicant of that decision in writing and shall specify the reason or reasons why the application is denied.

(7) If the commission approves an application for a marker, the center shall arrange for a marker to be prepared. The center shall give a preference to a qualified Michigan-based company for the preparation of the marker. Before a marker is ordered, the applicant shall pay the full actual cost of the marker.

History: Add. 2002, Act 488, Imd. Eff. June 28, 2002 ;-- Am. 2017, Act 185, Eff. Feb. 19, 2018 Compiler's Notes: For transfer of powers and duties relating to promotion of history and the preservation of the state's historical resources to the department of natural resources, see E.R.O. No. 2009-26, compiled at MCL 399.752.