Section 285.253 - Michigan family farm development authority; creation; purpose; appointment, qualifications, and terms of members; expenses; certificate of appointment or reappointment; powers; actions by authority; quorum; findings of fact; conducting business at public meeting; notice of meeting; chairperson and vice-chairperson; officers, agents, and employees; delegation of powers and duties(1) The Michigan family farm development authority is created within the department of agriculture. The authority is created to establish and administer programs which assist beginning farmers in purchasing agricultural land, agricultural improvements, and depreciable agricultural property for the purpose of farming. The authority shall consist of the director of the department of agriculture, the director of the department of commerce, the state treasurer, and 4 public persons, 3 of which are practicing farmers and 1 who is a director or a member of the board of directors of a state or federally regulated financial institution and who has experience in agricultural financing, appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Not more than 2 of the public persons appointed shall be members of the same political party. Of the members first appointed by the governor, 2 shall be designated to serve for a term of 3 years and 2 for a term of 4 years from the dates of their appointments. Upon completion of each term, a person shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, except that a vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term. A member of the authority shall not receive compensation for services but shall be entitled to the necessary expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the discharge of the member's duties. A member shall hold office until a successor has been appointed and has qualified. A certificate of appointment or reappointment of a member shall be filed with the authority and this certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the proper appointment of that member.(2) The powers of the authority shall be vested in the members in office. Four members of the authority shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the authority's business, for exercising the authority's powers, and for other purposes. Action may be taken by the authority upon a vote of a majority of the quorum of the authority, unless the bylaws of the authority require a larger number. In the absence of fraud, a determination of the authority with respect to findings of fact made by the authority acting within the scope of its powers shall be conclusive, except with respect to the approval of the municipal finance commission as required by law. Meetings of the members of the authority may be held anywhere in this state. The business which the authority may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the authority held in compliance with the open meetings act, Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended, 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, as amended.(3) The authority shall elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson. The authority shall employ an executive director, legal and technical experts, and other officers, agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, as the authority requires, and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. The authority may delegate to 1 or more agents or employees those powers or duties the authority considers proper.1982, Act 220, Imd. Eff. 7/10/1982.