CLOSED SESSION; VET. SERVICES BOARD S.B. 10:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 10 (as introduced 1-13-21)
Committee: Families, Seniors, and Veterans
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Open Meetings Act to allow a county veteran services board to meet in a closed session to interview a veteran regarding the veteran's application for benefits.
The Act allows a public body to meet in a closed session (i.e., a meeting or part of a meeting of a public body that is closed to the public) only for specified purposes, for example, to consider the dismissal, suspension, disciplining, or evaluation of a public officer, employee, or staff member, if requested by that individual. ("Public body" means any State or local legislative or governing body, including a board, commission, committee, subcommittee, authority, or council, that is empowered by State constitution, statute, charter, ordinance, resolution, or rule to exercise governmental or proprietary authority or perform a governmental or proprietary function.)
Under the bill, a county veteran services board could meet in a closed session to interview a veteran regarding the veteran's application for benefits. The bill specifies that this provision would not apply to a county veteran services board discussing or voting on whether to grant or deny a veteran's application for benefits.
("County veteran services board" would mean a committee created by a county board of commissioners under Section 1 of Public Act 192 of 1953. Public Act 192 allows a county board of commissioners to create a county department of veterans' affairs and to appoint three to seven veterans to administer the department.)
MCL 15.268 Legislative Analyst: Tyler VanHuyse
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
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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.