Michigan Senate Bill SB0320

Michigan 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/3/23
• Refer: 5/3/23

Caption

Legislature: legislators; appropriation bill process; require legislators to submit to transparency. Amends 1986 PA 268 (MCL 4.1101 - 4.1901) by adding sec. 104b. TIE BAR WITH: SB 0319'23

Impact

The primary impact of SB0320 is an increase in public accessibility to legislative documents, aiming to improve government accountability and transparency. By requiring timely online dissemination of written statements, the bill could strengthen civic engagement and inform citizens about legislative activities. This aligns with broader goals of enhancing transparency in government operations, providing the public with opportunities to stay informed, and potentially increasing participation in the political process.

Summary

Senate Bill No. 320 (SB0320) proposes an amendment to the Legislative Council Act to enhance transparency in the legislative process. Specifically, the bill mandates that the council must make each written statement received under section 364 of the Management and Budget Act available online to the public as soon as practicable. This step is intended to foster a more open government by ensuring that constituents have access to important legislative communications and decisions which may impact them.

Contention

While the intentions behind SB0320 resonate with advocates of government transparency, there may be points of contention regarding the practical implications of implementing such transparency measures. Concerns might arise regarding the volume of information made public, including its potential to overload or confuse constituents. Additionally, discussions may emerge on ensuring the accuracy and context of the published statements, as well as the workload implications for staff tasked with maintaining this transparency.