Why this was not a thing and passed decades ago would be a good question.
The Senate oversight committee will review a bill that aims to extend Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act to cover lawmakers and the governor’s office.
Senate Bills 669 and 670 aim to expand Michigan’s current FOIA laws by including the Legislature and the governor’s office. These proposed changes would grant individuals the opportunity to request records and other pertinent information from government organizations, enabling them to gain crucial insights into their operations.
The bill carried over to 2024.
Senate Bill 670 seeks to expand the reach of FOIA law, making it applicable not only to lawmakers and the governor’s office but also mandating House and Senate leaders to appoint a dedicated FOIA coordinator for each chamber.
This proposed legislation aims to enhance transparency and accountability within our government by ensuring that key figures and decision-makers are subject to the same level of scrutiny and public access.
Senate Bill 670 is closely linked to Senate Bill 669, which serves to refine the law by incorporating essential cybersecurity safeguards. Additionally, it extends exemptions from FOIA regulations to encompass personal notes taken by board members during public meetings.
Michigan stands out from other states as it remains one of just two states that do not subject lawmakers and governors to FOIA exemptions.
Related Articles
CRA Executive Director Hanna Applauds Whitmer’s FY25 Budget
No Evidence of Widespread Discriminatory Policing PracticesNever Ending Quest February 15, 2024 LANSING, MI – Today, Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) Executive Director Brian Hanna applauded Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Executive Budget...
Cannabis Tax Payments Being Distributed in Michigan
Adult-Use Marijuana Tax Payments Being Distributed In MichiganHere's what they say...Treasury: Adult-Use Marijuana Payments Being Distributed to Michigan Municipalities and Counties; More Than $59.5 Million Going to 224 Municipalities and Counties. Sales of "legal"...
Judge tosses lawsuits stemming from Michigan’s marijuana recall
Judge tosses lawsuits stemming from Michigan’s marijuana recall LANSING, MI -- A Michigan Court of Claims judge on Jan. 2 dismissed two lawsuits linked to Michigan’s enormous 64,000-pound, $229 million 2021 marijuana recall that impacted an estimated 60% of all...
Decision holding mandatory life without parole unconstitutional
COA 352569 PEOPLE OF MI V JOHN ANTONIO POOLE Opinion People v Poole (Docket No. 352569) decided January 18, 2024 The State Appellate Defender Office celebrates today’s outcome for our client John Antonio Poole. As an 18-year-old child, Mr. Poole was sentenced to life...
More Posts
Cannabis cash transactions aren’t suspicious says IRS
Following The MoneyLarge cash transactions by marijuana businesses should not be automatically flagged as suspicious, as per the latest IRS guidance. The tax agency's...
An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000
An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000 Part 1 - Residual mouth alcohol detection Counterpoint Volume 2; Issue 2 - Article 3 (August 2017) An article in the Core...
The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 1)
The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 1 of 2)Roll-Out The Michigan State Police (MSP) initiated Intoxilyzer 9000 (Intoxilyzer) training for police officers statewide, commencing...
The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 2)
The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 2 of 2)Using it The Intoxilyzer is user-friendly and equipped with a built-in feature to alert officers of any potential issues. As a...
Our Kids are Dying of Drug Overdoses
THE KIDS AREN’T ALRIGHT, THEY’RE DYING OF DRUG OVERDOSESFrom May 2022 to May 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an alarming 37 percent...
How DUI Charges Impact Your Child’s Future
In Michigan driving is considered a privilege. with this privilege comes immense responsibility, especially when it comes to driving under the influence (DUI) as well...
Rescheduling Marijuana Would Be a Threat to Public Health
Kevin Sabet of Smart Approaches to Marijuana says policy makers need to learn from their mistakes with hemp when considering marijuana rescheduling. It’s rare for...
Meet MiChap
Climate and Health Adaptation ProgramYou must save yourself from yourself.Meet MICHAPOur Vision: Michigan's public health system fosters equitable health and wellbeing...
Feds discover new methods to distinguish hemp and marijuana to assist crime labs
Federally funded researchers have uncovered two methods to divide and diversify the difference between hemp and cannabis to assist to crime labs. Because Cannabis is...
Laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect
Several new laws passed by Michigan lawmakers in 2023 will take effect on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2023Making use of the first combined Democratic majority in the state House,...
