(1) The legislature finds and declares that the activities authorized under this chapter to promote this state and the creation of jobs in this state are a public purpose and of paramount concern in the interest of the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of this state. It is the intent of the legislature that the economic benefits and the creation of jobs resulting from this chapter shall accrue substantially within this state.

    (2) Activities authorized under this chapter shall not be considered a project, economic development project, or a product assisted by the fund for purposes of chapter 1 or 2.

    (1) The board shall establish a Michigan promotion program to promote tourism in Michigan and pay business development and marketing costs to promote business development in Michigan. Tourism promotion shall include, but is not limited to, cultural, vacation, recreational, leisure, hunting-related, motor sports entertainment-related, and agriculture-related travel across this state that includes activities that promote tourism in all 4 seasons.

    (2) The funding provided under this chapter for tourism promotion is intended to enhance funding beyond that included in the annual appropriation for travel Michigan to attract additional tourism expenditures and development of the tourism industry in this state.

    (3) Not more than 4% of the annual appropriation as provided by law from the 21st century jobs trust fund established in the Michigan trust fund act, 2000 PA 489, MCL 12.251 to 12.260, may be used for the purpose of administering the program authorized under this chapter.

    (1) For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, there is appropriated and transferred from the general fund to the 21st century jobs trust fund $60,000,000.00 and there is appropriated from the 21st century jobs trust fund to the fund $50,000,000.00 for carrying out the purposes of this chapter. Not more than 1/4 of the total amount appropriated from the net proceeds described in section 8(2) of the Michigan tobacco settlement finance authority act, 2005 PA 226, MCL 129.268, shall be used to promote business development in this state.

    (2) Upon request from the board, the state treasurer shall transfer appropriated funds from the 21st century jobs trust fund established under section 7(1)(b) of the Michigan trust fund act, 2000 PA 489, MCL 12.257, any other available funds under this act, funds otherwise appropriated for expenditure under this chapter, or as authorized in section 88b(2)(d), in the amounts designated by the board at the time and as necessary to fund disbursements required for the Michigan promotion program.

    (3) The appropriation authorized in subsection (1) is a work project appropriation and any unencumbered or unallotted funds are carried forward into the following fiscal year. The following is in compliance with section 451a(1) of the management and budget act, 1984 PA 431, MCL 18.1451a:

    (a) The purpose of the project is to provide economic benefits and job creation within this state through the promotion of tourism.

    (b) The work project will be accomplished through the use of interagency agreements, grants, state employees, and contracts.

    (c) The total estimated completion cost of the project is $50,000,000.00.

    (d) The expected completion date is December 31, 2010.

    (1) The fund board shall select vendors for Michigan promotion program expenditures under this chapter exceeding $250,000.00 by issuing a request for proposal. At a minimum, the request for proposal shall require the responding entities to disclose any conflict of interest, disclose any criminal convictions, disclose any investigations by the internal revenue service or any other federal or state taxing body or court, disclose any pertinent litigation regarding the conduct of the entity, and maintain records and evidence pertaining to work performed for at least 5 years. The fund board shall establish a standard process to evaluate proposals submitted as a result of a request for proposal and appoint a committee to review the proposals. Members of any committee or individuals working on behalf of the Michigan strategic fund, paid or unpaid, shall have no conflict of interest as determined by the office of the chief compliance officer established in section 88i. This subsection does not apply to a contract that was in existence on March 25, 2008 or to the extension of a contract in which the right to extend was in existence on or before March 25, 2008.

    (2) No funds may be used for any Michigan promotion program effort that includes a reference to or the image or voice of an elected official, appointed state employee, state employee governed by a senior executive service limited term employment agreement, or a candidate for elective office, and that is targeted to a media market in this state.