CLOSED SESSION; GROUNDS FOR ATTORNEY S.B. 288:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 288 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Veronica Klinefelt
CLOSED SESSION; GROUNDS FOR ATTORNEY S.B. 288:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 288 (as reported without amendment)
Sponsor: Senator Veronica Klinefelt
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Open Meetings Act to expand the reasons that a public body could hold a closed session to include specific attorney consultation and the consideration of a claim, lawsuit, or criminal investigation concerning the body.
BRIEF RATIONALE
The Act generally requires all meetings of public bodies to be open to the public. The Act permits public bodies to meet in closed session for specified reasons, such as meeting with a body's attorney concerning litigation involving the public body; however, some people believe that this allowance is too narrow and prevents public bodies from meeting in closed session to discuss potential litigation or demands made of the body without the presence of an attorney. Expanding the reasons that a public body could meet in closed session would allow a public body to have more productive conversations about current or potential judicial matters involving the body.
PREVIOUS LEGISLATION
(This section does not provide a comprehensive account of previous legislative efforts on this subject matter.)
The bill is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 1023 from the 2023-2024 Legislative Session. Senate Bill 1023 passed the Senate and was referred to the House Committee on Government Operations but received no further action.
Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 6-5-25 Fiscal Analysts: Bobby Canell
floor\sb288 Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa
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.