The bill amends the Open Meetings Act to allow public bodies in Michigan to hold electronic meetings under specific circumstances. It establishes that electronic meetings can occur retroactively from March 18, 2020, and outlines various conditions under which these meetings are permissible. For instance, it allows electronic attendance for members who reside in areas affected by local emergencies and for agricultural commodity groups. Additionally, starting February 13, 2024, public bodies responsible for municipal public employee retirement systems and joint agencies can also hold electronic meetings under similar conditions. A new provision is included to accommodate members with disabilities, allowing them to participate electronically without disclosing the nature of their disability.

The bill also specifies requirements for conducting electronic meetings, such as ensuring two-way communication and providing public access to meeting agendas and notices. It mandates that public bodies must post advance notice of electronic meetings on their websites and make agendas available at least two hours before the meeting. Furthermore, it prohibits public bodies from requiring registration or personal information as a condition for participation in electronic meetings, except for necessary mechanisms to facilitate public comments. The bill clarifies that members absent due to military duty or medical conditions may participate remotely, while others must be physically present.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 15.263
As Passed by the Senate: 15.263