Sec. 7.

(1) The MIDC includes 18 voting members and the ex officio member described in subsection (2). The 18 voting members shall be appointed by the governor for terms of 4 years, except as provided in subsection (4). Subject to subsection (3), the governor shall appoint members under this subsection as follows:

(a) Two members submitted by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(b) Two members submitted by the senate majority leader.

(c) One member from a list of 3 names submitted by the supreme court chief justice.

(d) Three members from a list of 9 names submitted by the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan.

(e) One member from a list of 3 names submitted by the Michigan Judges Association.

(f) One member from a list of 3 names submitted by the Michigan District Judges Association.

(g) One member from a list of 3 names submitted by the State Bar of Michigan.

(h) One member from a list of names submitted by bar associations whose primary mission or purpose is to advocate for minority interests. Each bar association described in this subdivision may submit 1 name.

(i) One member from a list of 3 names submitted by the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan who is a former county prosecuting attorney or former assistant county prosecuting attorney.

(j) One member selected to represent the general public.

(k) Two members representing the funding unit of a circuit court from a list of 6 names submitted by the Michigan Association of Counties.

(l) One member representing the funding unit of a district court from a list of 3 names submitted by the Michigan Townships Association or the Michigan Municipal League. The Michigan Townships Association and the Michigan Municipal League shall alternate in submitting a list as described under this subdivision. For the first appointment after the effective date of the amendatory act that amended this subdivision, the Michigan Municipal League shall submit a list as described under this subdivision for consideration for the appointment. For the second appointment after the effective date of the amendatory act that amended this subdivision, the Michigan Townships Association shall submit a list as described under this subdivision for consideration for the appointment.

(m) One member from a list of 3 names submitted by the state budget office.

(2) The supreme court chief justice or his or her designee shall serve as an ex officio member of the MIDC without vote.

(3) Individuals nominated for service on the MIDC as provided in subsection (1) must have significant experience in the defense or prosecution of criminal proceedings or have demonstrated a strong commitment to providing effective representation in indigent criminal defense services. Of the members appointed under this section, the governor shall appoint no fewer than 2 individuals who are not licensed attorneys. Any individual who receives compensation from this state or an indigent criminal defense system for providing prosecution of or representation to indigent adults in state courts is ineligible to serve as a member of the MIDC. Not more than 3 judges, whether they are former judges or sitting judges, shall serve on the MIDC at the same time. The governor may reject the names submitted under subsection (1) and request additional names.

(4) MIDC members shall hold office until their successors are appointed. The terms of the members must be staggered. Initially, 4 members must be appointed for a term of 4 years each, 4 members must be appointed for a term of 3 years each, 4 members must be appointed for a term of 2 years each, and 3 members must be appointed for a term of 1 year each.

(5) The governor shall fill a vacancy occurring in the membership of the MIDC in the same manner as the original appointment, except if the vacancy is for an appointment described in subsection (1)(d), the source of the nomination shall submit a list of 3 names for each vacancy. However, if the senate majority leader or the speaker of the house of representatives is the source of the nomination, 1 name must be submitted. If an MIDC member vacates the commission before the end of the member's term, the governor shall fill that vacancy for the unexpired term only.

(6) The governor shall appoint 1 of the original MIDC members to serve as chairperson of the MIDC for a term of 1 year. At the expiration of that year, or upon the vacancy in the membership of the member appointed chairperson, the MIDC shall annually elect a chairperson from its membership to serve a 1-year term. An MIDC member shall not serve as chairperson of the MIDC for more than 3 consecutive terms.

(7) MIDC members shall not receive compensation in that capacity but must be reimbursed for their reasonable actual and necessary expenses by the state treasurer.

(8) The governor may remove an MIDC member for incompetence, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or for any other good cause.

(9) A majority of the MIDC voting members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the MIDC. A majority of the MIDC voting members are required for official action of the commission.

(10) Confidential case information, including, but not limited to, client information and attorney work product, is exempt from disclosure under the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

History: 2013, Act 93, Imd. Eff. July 1, 2013 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 214, Eff. Dec. 23, 2018 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 443, Eff. Mar. 21, 2019