2002 House Bill 6070 ↩

House Roll Call 919: Passed

To create a “Michigan Next Energy Authority” (MNEA) with broad authority to subsidize alternative energy technology projects using various state resources. MNEA would oversee an alternative energy renaissance zone; manage and develop a master plan for the alternative energy zone; finance and aid in the construction of alternative energy technology businesses and infrastructures located within the zones; acquire, construct, and improve an alternative energy technology project, including land, buildings, equipment, and various types of facilities for alternative energy technology; issue bonds and notes; and enter into an interlocal agreement with a university, agency, or local government to accomplish the above. MNEA would be responsible for granting to selected persons various personal property tax and Single Business Tax exemptions created by the companion bills. Any state school tax exemptions would have to be repaid to the school aid fund from the state general fund (funded by other state tax revenues). The bill would transfer to MNEA 724 acres of state land in York Township (Washtenaw County), and allow it to convey, sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of its real or personal property in the zone to any public or private person for public purposes. Finally, the bill would create a "Michigan Alternative Energy Technology Fund” to fund general operations and to secure notes and bonds of the Authority. MNEA would be prohibited from operating an "alternative energy technology business" or otherwise engaging in the manufacturing of any commercial products, but would be granted broad enumerated powers, the enumeration of which would not to be construed as a limitation on MNEA's general authority. The MNEA chief executive officer and chief financial officer would have to be residents of Michigan.