Economic development: other; strategic advisory board; create, and provide for the development of strategic plans. Amends 1984 PA 270 (MCL 125.2001 - 125.2094) by adding secs. 9a & 9b. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0213'25
SB 214 creates a temporary Strategic Advisory Board within the Michigan Strategic Fund to help develop a statewide strategic plan for economic development. The board is designed to bring together a broad cross-section of stakeholders, including representatives with expertise in jobs and talent, transit, community and economic development, housing and utilities, education, rural development, innovation and manufacturing, and environmental matters, along with several governor-appointed experts in national economics, site selection, and national economic development policy.
The board would be responsible for developing the strategic plan described in the companion legislation, SB 213, and may also take other actions needed to carry out that purpose. After the plan is completed and submitted, the board is dissolved. The bill also sets out board membership, appointment procedures, terms, vacancy filling, removal standards, quorum and voting rules, meeting requirements, and transparency obligations under the Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.
The bill amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act by adding new sections that establish a temporary advisory body and define its role in preparing a strategic plan. It does not directly change tax, regulatory, or spending law, but it does create a new governance structure within the fund and requires the board to operate under Michigan’s open meetings and FOIA laws. Its practical effect would be to formalize stakeholder input into state economic development planning and to centralize the development of a strategic plan that could guide future policy decisions affecting businesses, labor, transit, housing, education, rural communities, utilities, and environmental interests.
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support in committee and enough support for Senate passage, but not unanimous agreement. The bill was reported favorably out of committee 6-0, indicating strong support at that stage, and later passed the Senate 20-13, showing a more divided chamber vote. Overall, the sentiment appears positive toward creating a structured planning process, though the floor vote indicates some reservations about the approach or the broader package tied to SB 213.
The main point of contention appears to be the bill’s broad, multi-sector board structure and its tie to SB 213, which means SB 214 cannot take effect unless the companion bill is enacted. Supporters likely view the board as a way to gather diverse expertise and build a comprehensive economic strategy, while opponents may question the size, complexity, or necessity of creating another advisory body. The 20-13 Senate vote suggests disagreement over whether this is an effective planning mechanism or an additional layer of bureaucracy.