HB 5895 Summary

• Creates a 9-member Open Government Commission within the Department of Civil Rights to oversee Freedom of Information Act compliance in Michigan.

• Commission members appointed by the governor include representatives from state legislative leadership (4 members), Michigan Association of Broadcasters (2 members), Michigan Press Association (2 members), and 1 at the governor's discretion.

• Members serve 4-year terms without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses; first-appointed members stagger with terms of 1, 2, and 3 years.

• Commission shall receive citizen complaints about FOIA requests, investigate public bodies' FOIA policies and responses, and issue binding and enforceable opinions on fees, exemption validity, and required document disclosure.

• Commission may refer complaints to the attorney general, recommend policies to public bodies, and recommend legislative changes; the 180-day court filing deadline is tolled during commission proceedings.