HB 4314 Summary

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

• Commission membership includes representatives appointed by the governor from recommendations of legislative leaders (4 members), Michigan Association of Broadcasters (2 members), Michigan Press Association (2 members), and 1 member at governor's discretion.

• Members serve 4-year terms and are unpaid but eligible for expense reimbursement; the governor may remove members for incompetence, dereliction of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, nonfeasance, or good cause.

• Commission receives and investigates citizen complaints regarding Freedom of Information requests and issues binding, enforceable opinions on request fees, claimed exemptions, and required document disclosures.

• Commission may refer complaints to the attorney general and recommend policy or legislative changes; court action filing deadlines are tolled during commission appeals.