Propane commission, duties and powers; liability; collection of money; prohibition on campaign contributions.

(1) The commission shall educate residents, business owners, and other users of propane on the safe use of propane, and promote the use of high efficiency appliances and equipment through rebate and incentive programs for Michigan residents. The commission may develop procedures and carry out any other activity necessary to accomplish the purposes of this act. (2) The commission may appoint committees to carry out a project authorized under this act. (3) The commission may appoint employees, agents, and representatives. The commission may contract with other agencies, associations, or organizations including, but not limited to, the industry association and MiPERC. The commission may incur other expenses to carry on the promotion activities for propane under subsection (1) and to otherwise carry out the purposes of this act. (4) This state is not liable for the acts of the commission or its contracts. A member, employee, agent, or representative of the commission is not personally liable for the contracts of the commission. To ensure the commission's activities are self-supporting, all salaries, expenses, obligations, and liabilities incurred by the commission are payable only from money collected under this act when used for the purposes of this act, except that any money obtained through donations and gifts or provided by a governmental agency may be used within limits stipulated by the donor or governmental agency. No more than 10% of the money collected through assessments under this act may be used for administrative expenses. (5) Money collected by the commission must not be used in any manner for a campaign contribution. As used in this subsection, "contribution" means that term as defined in section 4 of the Michigan campaign finance act, 1976 PA 388, MCL 169.204.