| (a) The commission may designate nonprofit organizations
that are organized to raise funds and provide services and other benefits
to the agency as a "friend" of the commission. A friends group must
submit copies of its charter and bylaws or other organizational documents
to the commission for review and approval. Upon designation as a friend
of the commission and for so long as such designation exists, the
commission may recognize a friends group. Designation as a "friend"
shall be reviewed periodically but not less than once every five years.
(b) Funds accepted by friends groups for the benefit
of the commission to support the purposes and programs of the commission
are to be managed as reasonably prudent persons would manage funds
if acting on their own behalf. Such funds are to be accounted for
according to generally accepted accounting principles. A financial
report shall be prepared at least annually and made available to the
public upon request.
(c) The commission may authorize reasonable use of
agency employees, equipment, or property by recognized friends groups
in order to further or support the purposes or programs of the commission,
provided such usage is commensurate with the benefit received or to
be received by the commission. Agency employees shall receive no compensation
from the friends groups for such service.
(d) A commission member or agency employee may not
serve as an officer or director of a friends group. The commission
will designate not more than one of its members to serve as liaison
to each friends group.
(e) Nothing in this section shall supersede any rule
or statute regulating the conduct of an employee of a state agency
or the procedures of a state agency. To the extent of any conflict,
the other rule or statute shall prevail.
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