2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 124 - Municipalities › Act 387 of 2012 - Regional Transit Authority Act (124.541 - 124.558) › Section 124.545 - Board; Appointment; Terms; Vacancy; Qualifications; Oath; Compensation; Travel and Expenses; Individual Not of Good Moral Character or Convicted of Felony; Discharge of Duties; Contract, Bonds, Notes, or Other Obligations; Appointment of Board Members Under MCL 124.544; Removal of Board Member for Violation of Subsection (9) or (10).

124.545 Board; appointment; terms; vacancy; qualifications; oath; compensation; travel and expenses; individual not of good moral character or convicted of felony; discharge of duties; contract, bonds, notes, or other obligations; appointment of board members under MCL 124.544; removal of board member for violation of subsection (9) or (10).
Sec. 5.
(1) An authority shall be directed and governed by a board consisting of all of the following:
(a) One governor's representative appointed by the governor, who shall serve without vote.
(b) Two individuals appointed by the county executive of the county within the public transit region with the second largest population according to the most recent decennial census.
(c) Two individuals appointed by the county executive of the county within the public transit region with the third largest population according to the most recent decennial census.
(d) Two individuals appointed by the county executive of a county within the public transit region with the fourth largest population according to the most recent decennial census.
(e) Two individuals appointed by the county executive of the qualified county within the public transit region. One of the 2 individuals appointed under this subdivision shall be a resident of a city within the qualified county with the largest population according to the most recent decennial census.
(f) One individual appointed by the mayor of the city within the qualified county with the largest population according to the most recent decennial census.
(g) After the initial appointment of board members under subsection (2), if the addition of a petitioning county is approved by the board under section 4, 2 individuals appointed by the county executive of the petitioning county as provided in subsection (12).
(2) Initial appointments of the members of a board shall be made within 90 days after the creation of an authority, and a board may not exercise any powers, duties, functions, or responsibilities under this act until all of the initial members identified under subsection (1) are appointed and qualified. Except as otherwise provided in this section, members of a board shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. Of the members initially appointed, 1 of the 2 board members appointed by each county executive under subsection (1)(b) to (e) shall be appointed for an initial term of 1 year, a board member appointed under subsection (1)(f) shall be appointed for an initial term of 2 years, and the governor's representative and 1 of the 2 board members appointed by each county executive under subsection (1)(b) to (e) shall be appointed for an initial term of 3 years. If a vacancy occurs on a board other than by expiration of a term, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term. A board member may continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.
(3) A board member shall not be an employee of the county or city appointing the board member under subsection (1) or an employee of a public transportation provider operating in a public transit region.
(4) A board member shall not be a currently serving elected officer of this state or a political subdivision of this state.
(5) A board member shall be a resident of and registered elector in the county or city from which he or she is appointed.
(6) A board member shall have substantial business, financial, or professional experience relevant to the operation of a corporation or public transportation system.
(7) Upon appointment to the board, a board member shall take and subscribe to the oath of office required under section 1 of article XI of the state constitution of 1963.
(8) A board member shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for necessary travel and expenses consistent with relevant statutes and the rules and procedures of the civil service commission and the department of technology, management, and budget, subject to available funding.
(9) An individual who is not of good moral character or who has been convicted of, pled guilty or no contest to, or forfeited bail concerning a felony under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States shall not be appointed or remain as a member of the board.
(10) A member of a board shall discharge the duties of the position in a nonpartisan manner, in good faith, in the best interests of this state, and with the degree of diligence, care, and skill that an ordinarily prudent person would exercise under similar circumstances in a like position. A member of the board shall not make or participate in making a decision, or in any way attempt to use his or her position as a member of the board to influence a decision, on a matter before an authority in which the member is directly or indirectly interested. A member of a board shall not be interested directly or indirectly in any contract with an authority or the department that would cause a substantial conflict of interest. A member of a board shall comply, and a board shall adopt policies and procedures that require members to comply, with the requirements of this subsection and all of the following:
(a) 1978 PA 472, MCL 4.411 to 4.431, as if the board member were subject to that act and that board member's receipt of a gift or compensation would be in violation of that act if given by a lobbyist, a lobbyist agent, or a representative of a lobbyist under that act.
(b) 1978 PA 566, MCL 15.181 to 15.185.
(c) 1968 PA 318, MCL 15.301 to 15.310, as if he or she were a state officer.
(d) 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330, as if he or she were a public servant.
(e) 1973 PA 196, MCL 15.341 to 15.348, as if he or she were a public officer.
(11) No contract entered into by an authority and no bonds, notes, or other obligations issued by an authority shall be void or voidable except as provided in 1968 PA 318, MCL 15.301 to 15.310, or 1968 PA 317, MCL 15.321 to 15.330. A contract entered into by an authority or a bond, note, or other obligation issued by an authority is not void or voidable by reason of a board member's failure to comply with subsections (10)(a) to (e).
(12) If a county is added to a public transit region under section 4, the board members representing the transit district consisting of that county shall be appointed under subsection (1) within 30 days after the conditions of section 4(2)(a) and (b) have been satisfied and at least 71 days prior to an election under section 4(3). If an assessment levied under section 10(2) or a motor vehicle registration tax under section 10(3), or both, is not approved under section 4(3), the appointment of a board member under this subsection is void.
(13) The governor may remove a board member from office for a violation of subsection (9) or (10).
History:
2012, Act 387, Imd. Eff. Dec. 19, 2012