Civil rights: open meetings; provisions of open meetings act relating to virtual attendance and participation of members of public bodies at public meetings; revise. Amends secs. 3 & 7 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263 & 15.267); adds sec. 3b & repeals sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Impact
The proposed amendments intend to enhance public access to governmental proceedings by allowing for both in-person and remote participation. This change is expected to improve civic engagement by making it easier for citizens to participate in local government decisions without the need to be physically present. The bill establishes clear guidelines on how public bodies can manage remote attendance, ensuring that the integrity and transparency of meetings are maintained. Additionally, it reinforces the requirement that all meetings remain open to the public, thereby fostering a more inclusive democratic process.
Summary
Senate Bill 271 aims to amend the Open Meetings Act in Michigan, specifically focusing on provisions for virtual attendance and public participation during public meetings. The bill revises existing sections and adds new regulations to accommodate remote participation, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It establishes specific guidelines for public bodies regarding the conduct of meetings, the rights of individuals to attend and participate, and the procedures to ensure transparency and accessibility during such meetings.
Contention
However, there have been notable points of contention surrounding the bill. Some legislators express concerns that remote participation may lead to decreased accountability and engagement from elected officials. Critics argue that while virtual attendance expands access, it could dilute the personal accountability that comes with in-person participation. Moreover, there are apprehensions regarding the implementation of rules that may restrict access to non-constituents compared to constituents, potentially reinforcing inequities in public participation. These factors have sparked debate over the balance between innovation in public engagement and maintaining robust democratic accountability.
Civil rights: open meetings; provisions of open meetings act relating to virtual attendance and participation of members of public bodies at public meetings; revise. Amends secs. 3 & 7 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263 & 15.267); adds sec. 3b & repeals sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Civil rights: open meetings; catastrophic claims association; make subject to open meetings act. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.262 & 15.263). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0793'24
Civil rights: open meetings; remote meeting participation of certain public body members with disabilities; provide for. Amends sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Civil rights: open meetings; open meetings act; amend to permit some members of community college boards to attend meetings remotely in any circumstances. Amends sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Civil rights: open meetings; municipal public employee retirement boards; allow meetings subject to open meetings act to be conducted remotely. Amends sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Civil rights: open meetings; members of a public body meeting as a board of a prepaid inpatient health plan; authorize remote meeting participation in certain circumstances. Amends sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Civil rights: open meetings; the children trust Michigan state board; allow to meet remotely under the open meetings act. Amends sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Civil rights: open meetings; provisions of open meetings act relating to virtual attendance and participation of members of public bodies at public meetings; revise. Amends secs. 3 & 7 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263 & 15.267); adds sec. 3b & repeals sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).
Elections: qualified voter file; most recent digitized photographic image of an elector to be contained in the qualified vote file; require, and require election officials to compare the digitized photographic image of an elector to that elector before voting. Amends secs. 509q, 509gg, 509hh, 523, 813 & 829 of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.509q et seq.).
Elections: election officials; data and reports received from and transmitted to multistate programs and services be available to the house and senate election committees; require. Amends sec. 509o of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.509o).
Civil rights: open meetings; catastrophic claims association; make subject to open meetings act. Amends secs. 2 & 3 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.262 & 15.263). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0793'24
Appropriations: higher education; appropriations for fiscal year 2023-2024; provide for. Amends secs. 236 & 241 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1836 & 388.1841).
Higher education: financial aid; Michigan reconnect grant recipient act; modify. Amends secs. 11, 15 & 21 of 2020 PA 68 (MCL 390.1711 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: SB 0233'25