2017 House Bill 4155

Expand open records law to legislature

Introduced in the House

Feb. 2, 2017

Introduced by Rep. Joseph Bellino (R-17)

To define the records that would be exempt from Freedom of Information Act requests to the state legislature. These include standard provisions regarding records dealing with security matters, active contract bidding, personal or proprietary matters, ongoing litigation, etc. The bill would also exempt records of exchanges between a lawmaker and a constituent. Notably, the bill would exempt records held by the Republican and Democratic caucus staffs, including their communications and public relations operations. Unlike open record requests denied by other government bodies, a person could not sue the legislature to force a record’s disclosure. This is part of a package comprised of House Bills 4148 to 4157 that would extend the state’s open records law to the legislature.

Referred to the Committee on Michigan Competitiveness

March 14, 2017

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-3) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 16, 2017

Passed in the House 108 to 0 (details)

Received in the Senate

March 21, 2017

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations