HIGHER ED. INSTITUTIONS; OPEN MTGS. S.J.R. E:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Joint Resolution E (as introduced 3-7-19)
CONTENT
The joint resolution would amend Section 4 of Article VIII (Education) of the Michigan Constitution to revise the list of public universities, and to require meetings of the listed institutions' governing boards to be open to the public, as provided by law.
Section 4 of Article VIII requires the Legislature to appropriate money to maintain certain public universities and institutions of higher education in the State.
Among the universities included under Section 4 are the Michigan College of Science and Technology, Ferris Institute, and Grand Valley State College. The joint resolution, instead, would refer to Michigan Technological University, Ferris State University, and Grand Valley State University, respectively. Additionally, Saginaw Valley State University, Lake Superior State University, and Oakland University would be included among the higher education institutions currently listed in Section 4.
Section 4 also specifies that all formal sessions of the listed institutions' governing boards must be open to the public. The joint resolution would require all meetings of the institutions' governing boards to be open to the public, as provided by law.
If approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the Legislature, the joint resolution would have to be submitted to the electors of the State at the next general election.
Legislative Analyst: Stephen Jackson
FISCAL IMPACT
The joint resolution would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.