Section 125.1355 - Barrier free design board; creation; appointment, qualifications, and terms of members; vacancy; quorum; action by board; meetings; conducting business at public meeting; notice of meeting; powers and duties of board; recommendations; exception to rule; technical interpretation of rule; compensation and expenses; supportive services(1) The barrier free design board is created within the department of labor. The board consists of 9 members who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. At least 4 members shall be physically limited of which 1 shall be a wheelchair user, 1 shall be a severely mobility limited person, 1 shall be visually impaired, and 1 shall have impaired hearing. Of the remaining members, 1 of which may be physically limited and may be a wheelchair user, 1 shall be from the construction industry, 1 shall be a building inspector of a local unit of government, 1 shall be a registered architect, 1 shall be a professional engineer, and 1 shall be from the general public.(2) The members shall serve for a term of 3 years except of those initially appointed, 3 shall be appointed for a term of 1 year, 3 for a term of 2 years, and 3 for a term of 3 years. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.(3) Five members of the board constitute a quorum. The board shall not take action without the concurrence of a majority of the members present at a meeting.(4) The board shall meet not less than 6 times annually. Meetings shall be held in Lansing or in any other appropriate location as determined by the board.(5) The business which the board may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the board held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 15.261 to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. Public notice of the time, date, and place of the meeting shall be given in the manner required by Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976.(6) The board may perform the following: (a) Receive, review, process, grant, or deny requests for exceptions to the barrier free design requirements contained in Act No. 230 of the Public Acts of 1972, as amended, being sections 125.1501 to 125.1531 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, or rules promulgated under Act No. 230 of the Public Acts of 1972, as amended. The power to grant exceptions shall include the power to grant an exception to any or all of the barrier free design requirements contained in Act No. 230 of the Public Acts of 1972, as amended, for a stated time period and upon stated conditions.(b) Require alternatives when exceptions are granted.(c) Receive, process, review, and act on complaints of noncompliance.(7) The barrier free design board shall make recommendations to the construction code commission created pursuant to section 3 of Act No. 230 of the Public Acts of 1972, as amended, being section 125.1503 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, for barrier free design rules.(8) An exception to a rule promulgated by the construction code commission relative to barrier free design may not be made by a local governmental unit, state department or agency, or person except as provided in subsection (6).(9) The technical interpretation of a rule promulgated by the construction code commission relative to barrier free design is subject to the interpretation of the construction code commission.(10) Members of the barrier free design board shall receive a per diem compensation and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of board duties. The per diem compensation of the board and the schedule for reimbursement of expenses shall be established annually by the legislature.(11) The principal department to which the barrier free design board is assigned shall provide the board with the necessary personnel, materials, and other supportive services as shall be provided by appropriation.1966, Act 1, Eff. 7/1/1966 ;--Am. 1974, Act 190, Imd. Eff. 7/2/1974 ;--Am. 1975, Act 177, Imd. Eff. 7/20/1975 ;--Am. 1977, Act 189, Imd. Eff. 11/17/1977 ;--Am. 1978, Act 363, Imd. Eff. 7/22/1978.