Updates About Legislature

The Senate Oversight Committee has reported SB 669 and SB 670, legislation aimed at expanding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to cover the Legislature and Governor’s office. Both bills received bipartisan and unanimous support from committee members, with only one abstention. If passed, the legislation lists exemptions for sensitive records, such as communication with constituents, internal investigations, and caucus counsel records. Exemptions for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor would also include information regarding appointments and personal safety concerns. Also outlined in the legislation are procedures for appointing FOIA coordinators and handling FOIA appeals.

With the passing of SB 669 and SB 670 out of committee, Michigan is one step closer to improving legislative transparency and accountability within our state government. After nearly a decade of unsuccessful attempts at passing similar legislation, the bills now face deliberation by the entire Senate. This upcoming vote will collectively decide the fate of the bills, representing the latest effort to increase government transparency in Michigan.

Republican Representative Graham Filler (Duplain Township) has announced that he will not be seeking reelection. Filler initially stated that he would be serving the allowed six years in the House prior to the term limit changes. Now on his sixth year in office, Filler is sticking with his original plan. Although he is eligible for reelection under new term limits, he will not be pursuing a fourth term.

Throughout his tenure serving the 93rd House district, Filler has focused on law enforcement, public safety, nuclear energy, small business, and agriculture.

Through a recent reshuffling of committee assignments announced by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, several Democratic members have undergone changes in their committee responsibilities. Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), serving as the chair of the House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, has been relieved from four committees — Elections, Joint Capital Outlay, Transportation, and the appropriations subcommittee of the Department of Health and Human Services. Simultaneously, he has been added to Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection. Other changes include Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) being removed from Elections, and Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) being promoted to Vice Chair in Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection.

Following these changes, Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) was removed from the General Government Appropriations Subcommittee and the Department of Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) was removed from Economic and Community Development. Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) was removed from the Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Higher Education Subcommittee. She was added to the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee. Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor) will replace Camilleri on Joint Capitol Outlay.