Bill > SB0427

This bill amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to expand legal remedies for violations of public meeting transparency requirements. The bill allows persons to file civil actions against public bodies for various purposes, including seeking a declaratory judgment that a violation occurred, obtaining mandamus or injunctive relief to compel compliance, and potentially recovering court costs and attorney fees. The bill specifies that actions against local public bodies must be filed in circuit court, while actions against state public bodies must be filed in the Court of Claims, with actions for mandamus to be filed in the Court of Appeals. Importantly, the bill introduces new criteria for awarding attorney fees, such as if the public body has previously violated the Open Meetings Act, intentionally limited public access, caused irreparable harm, or the violation involved significant public interest. The bill also establishes a 180-day statute of limitations for filing such actions, and the amendments will take effect 90 days after enactment. These changes aim to strengthen enforcement of public meeting transparency and provide more robust legal mechanisms for holding public bodies accountable for Open Meetings Act violations.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0427