MEMBER OF PUBLIC BODY ABSENT FROM

PUBLIC MEETING DUE TO MILITARY DUTY

Senate Bill 1261 as passed by the Senate

Sponsor:  Sen. Adam Hollier

House Committee:  [Placed directly on Second Reading]

Senate Committee:  Elections and Government Reform

Complete to 12-18-18

                                                                                                (Enacted as Public Act 485 of 2018)

SUMMARY:

Senate Bill 1261 would amend the Open Meetings Act to require a public body that is holding a public meeting under the Act to establish procedures to accommodate the absence due to military duty of any member of that body.

The procedures required by the bill would have to include both of the following:

·         Procedures to give notice to the public of the member’s absence, along with information about how to contact that member before the meeting to give input on any business that will come before the public body.

·         Procedures allowing the absent member to participate in and vote on business before the public body, including two-way communication if feasible.

The bill would not apply to meetings of any state legislative body.

The bill would take effect 90 days after it is enacted.

MCL 15.263

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Rick Yuille

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Michael Cnossen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.