House Bill 5488 Summary

• Creates a 9-member Open Government Commission within the Department of Civil Rights to handle complaints regarding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

• Commission membership consists of: one member each recommended by senate majority leader, senate minority leader, house speaker, and house minority leader; two members each recommended by Michigan Association of Broadcasters and Michigan Press Association; and one member at governor's discretion.

• Grants the commission authority to receive citizen complaints, investigate public bodies' FOIA policies and responses, and issue binding and enforceable opinions on fees, validity of exemptions, and required document disclosures.

• Members serve 4-year terms without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses; commission must meet at least monthly and conduct business in compliance with the Open Meetings Act.

• Tolls court action filing deadlines under existing FOIA sections while complaints are pending before the commission; takes effect 90 days after enactment.