Legislation extends open record requirements to governor, Legislature

State Rep. Ryan Berman’s plan to make state government more accountable to the people of Michigan was unanimously approved today by the Michigan House, 107-0.

Berman, of Commerce Township, said Michigan is one of just two states that still exempts its governor and state legislators from open records laws. His legislation is part of a bipartisan plan to end these exemptions and increase transparency in state government.

“Government exists to work for the people, and residents can’t have faith in their government if it fails to set an example of openness and honesty,” Berman said. “We must make sure people have all of the information they need to hold us accountable.”

The proposal will subject the governor and lieutenant governor to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and hold state representatives and senators to the same high standard by creating the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA).

While LORA mirrors FOIA in many ways, there are exemptions for constituent inquiries to ensure that personal information is protected and kept private. Other communications lawmakers have with state departments and lobbyists would not be exempt.

House Bills 4007-13 and 4015-16 now advance to the Senate for consideration.