Legislative Analysis
COMMISSION ON MIDDLE EASTERN AMERICAN AFFAIRS Phone: (517) 373-8080
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
House Bill 5936 as introduced Analysis available at
Sponsor: Rep. Alabas A. Farhat http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Committee: Government Operations
Complete to 12-11-24
SUMMARY:
House Bill 5936 would create the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs Act to put
into statutory law provisions regarding the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs,1
created and housed in the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) by executive
order. 2 The provisions of the bill reflect current commission activities.
Commission members and procedures
Under the bill, the commission would consist of 15 individuals who have a particular interest
or expertise in Middle Eastern American concerns in Michigan, appointed by the governor by
and with the consent of the Senate. (Middle Eastern Americans would be defined as Michigan
residents who have ancestral ties to countries in the Middle East.) The term of a member
appointed after the bill takes effect would be three years (current terms are four years). If a
vacancy occurs, the governor would appoint someone to serve the balance of the term. The
governor could remove a member of the commission for incompetence, dereliction of duty,
malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or any other good cause.
By 90 days after the bill takes effect, the commission would have to adopt bylaws for its
operation. The commission would have to annually elect a member as chairperson and could
also annually elect a vice-chairperson and other officers it considers necessary or appropriate.
The commission would have to meet at least quarterly at places and times it determines. With
three business days’ notice, it could also meet more frequently at the call of the chairperson or
at the request of a majority of its members. A majority of members would be a quorum for
transacting commission business, and a vote in favor by the majority of members serving would
be required for any commission action. A member could not vote by proxy. The commission
would be subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
A member of the commission would have to refer any legal, legislative, and media contacts to
LEO.
1
https://www.michigan.gov/ogm/commissions/cmeaa
2
Executive Order 2015-6 created the Middle-Eastern American Affairs Commission in the Department of Civil Rights
and contains provisions concerning its operations. Executive Reorganization Order 2016-3 renamed the commission
the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs and transferred it to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory
Affairs. Executive Reorganization Order 2019-3 transferred the commission to LEO, where it is now housed. Further
back, the Advisory Council on Arab and Chaldean American Affairs was created by Executive Order 2004-33 in the
Department of Civil Rights. It was abolished, and its powers and duties were transferred to the Michigan Council on
Arab and Chaldean American Affairs, by Executive Order 2013-9. This council was in turn abolished, and its powers
and duties were transferred to the Middle-Eastern American Affairs Commission, by Executive Order 2015-6, above.
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 Commission powers and duties
The commission would have to do all of the following:
• Act in an advisory capacity to the governor and the LEO director on policy matters
affecting Middle Eastern American communities in Michigan .
• Advise LEO and make recommendations on all of the following:
o Changes in state programs, statutes, and policies concerning the coordination
and administration of state programs serving Middle Eastern American
communities.
o The nature, magnitude, and priorities of the problems of Middle Eastern
American communities in Michigan and the state’s policies concerning or
impacting those communities.
o Improving and protecting the health, safety, and well-being of Middle Eastern
American communities across all levels of state and local government.
o Attracting potential future residents from Middle Eastern American
communities by ensuring that Michigan is a safe place where members of
Middle Eastern American communities and their families can thrive.
• Review, develop, and recommend policies, administrative actions, legislative changes,
or other approaches to eradicate and prevent discrimination and to address other forms
of inequality.
• Promote methods to ensure equal access to state services for Middle Eastern American
communities.
• Work to ensure equal access to all levels of education for Middle Eastern American
communities.
• Serve as a reporting agency for incidents of anti–Middle Eastern American harassment
in Michigan.
• Publicize and disseminate information on relevant issues, available programs and
resources, funding opportunities, and other information that is relevant to advancing
the interests of Middle Eastern American communities in Michigan by addressing the
communities’ unique problems and needs.
• Promote Middle Eastern American culture, history, and economic contributions in
Michigan through coordinated efforts and advocacy across state government.
• Promote public awareness of experiences of Middle Eastern American communities in
Michigan.
• Secure appropriate recognition for accomplishments and contributions of Middle
Eastern American communities in Michigan.
• Develop a unified policy and plan of action to serve the needs of Middle Eastern
American communities in Michigan.
• Stimulate and encourage the study and review of the status of Middle Eastern American
communities in Michigan.
• Advocate for and initiate programs for the betterment of Middle Eastern American
communities in Michigan.
• Cooperate with and coordinate activities with all of the following commissions and
councils:
o The Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. 3
o The Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan. 4
3
https://www.michigan.gov/ogm/commissions/mapaac
4
https://www.michigan.gov/ogm/commissions/hlcom
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 o The Black Leadership Advisory Council. 5
o The Michigan LGBTQ+ Commission. 6
o The Michigan Immigrant and Refugee Council. 7
o The Michigan Women’s Commission. 8
• Provide other information or advice as requested by the governor or the LEO director.
The commission could, as necessary, establish advisory workgroups composed of individuals
or entities that participate in the commission’s activities to assist it in performing its duties. It
could adopt, reject, or modify any advisory workgroup recommendations.
The commission would have to exercise its powers and duties independently of LEO, except
for budget, procurement, and management functions, which would have to be performed under
the direction and supervision of the LEO director.
Department powers and duties
LEO would have to do all of the following:
• Provide administrative services to the commission.
• Make the times and places of commission meetings available to the public.
• Keep the minutes of the commission’s meetings.
• Maintain a record of the commission’s actions.
Subject to appropriation, LEO could provide staff and office space to enable the commission
to carry out its powers and duties.
FISCAL IMPACT:
House Bill 5936 would not have a fiscal impact on any units of state or local government, since
the bill would codify activities that are already undertaken by the Commission on Middle
Eastern American Affairs housed within LEO. The FY 2024-25 budget appropriates $214,000
GF/GP and 1.0 FTE for the commission, and LEO does not anticipate that any additional
resources would be required because of this bill.
Legislative Analyst: Rick Yuille
Fiscal Analyst: Marcus Coffin
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
5
https://www.michigan.gov/leo/boards-comms-councils/black-leadership-council
6
https://www.michigan.gov/ogm/commissions/lgbtq-commission
7
https://www.michigan.gov/ogm/commissions/michigan-immigrant-and-refugee-council
8
https://www.michigan.gov/mwc
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