Bill
HB 4386
Creates a permanent statutory advisory commission to advise on policies, services, and anti-discrimination for Michigan’s Middle Eastern American residents.
Status / timeline
- Introduced: March 11, 2025 (Rep. Alabas Farhat).
- Enrolled and passed both chambers in May 2025.
- Sent to Governor May 31, 2025; signed June 20, 2025.
- Effective date: September 1, 2025.
- Companion bill: SB 1823.
Purpose and intent
- Establishes (codifies) a statutory “Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs” to advise the Governor and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (the department) on policies, programs, and issues affecting Middle Eastern American residents of Michigan, and to promote their welfare, visibility, and equal access to state services.
Key definitions
- “Commission” — the commission created by this act (references prior executive reorganization authority).
- “Department” — Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
- “Middle Eastern American” — an individual with ancestral ties to Middle Eastern countries who resides in Michigan.
Composition, appointment, and terms
- Fifteen (15) members appointed by the Governor, chosen for particular interest or expertise in Middle Eastern American concerns.
- Terms: 3 years for members appointed on or after the act’s effective date.
- Vacancy appointments fill the remainder of unexpired terms.
- Members may be removed by the Governor for incompetence, malfeasance, dereliction of duty, or other good cause.
Organization, meetings, and procedures
- Governor designates chair; commission may select a vice-chair and other officers.
- Bylaws must be adopted within 90 days after the act’s effective date.
- Meetings: at least quarterly; special meetings on 3 business days’ notice by the chair or at request of 8+ members.
- Quorum and voting: a majority of members constitutes a quorum; majority vote of members serving required for actions. No proxy voting.
- Commission operations are subject to Michigan’s Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
- Members must refer legal, legislative, and media contacts to the department.
Powers, duties, and activities
- Acts in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the department on policy matters affecting Middle Eastern American communities.
- Reviews and recommends changes to state programs, statutes, and policies; identifies community needs and priorities; promotes health, safety, education, economic opportunity, and attraction of future residents.
- Works to eradicate discrimination and improve equal access to state services and education.
- Serves as a reporting agency for incidents of anti–Middle Eastern American harassment.
- Publicizes resources, funding opportunities, and cultural/economic contributions; develops unified policy/action plans and encourages study of community status.
- May establish advisory workgroups and accept, modify, or reject their recommendations.
- Expected to coordinate with other state commissions/councils (e.g., Asian Pacific American Affairs, Hispanic/Latino, Black Leadership Advisory Council, LGBTQ+ commission, Michigan Immigrant & Refugee Council, Michigan Women’s Commission).
Department role and resources
- The department shall provide administrative services (meeting notices, minutes, records).
- Subject to appropriation, the department may provide staff and office space.
- Commission operations are independent of the department except for budget, procurement, and management functions, which are under the department director’s supervision.
Who is affected
- Middle Eastern American communities in Michigan (policy, reporting of harassment, access to state services).
- The Governor’s office and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (administrative/support responsibilities).
- Related state commissions and councils through required coordination.
Potential impacts
- Creates a permanent, statutory advisory body to centralize policy recommendations and advocacy for Michigan’s Middle Eastern American residents.
- Provides an official channel for reporting harassment and for the state to identify gaps in services, discrimination concerns, and outreach needs.
- Requires state administrative support and potential appropriations for staffing/space.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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