MI HB4151

Adds Section 54 to the Freedom of Information Act establishing detailed procedures for charging fees when public bodies provide public records in response to written requests.

Limits fees to actual costs including: labor at lowest-paid employee's hourly wage (search, examination, review, redaction); copying costs capped at 10 cents per sheet for standard paper; digital media costs; and actual mailing costs, with partial time increments rounded down to nearest 15-minute interval.

Allows public bodies to add up to 50% to labor charges to cover fringe benefits and requires detailed itemization of all fee components on a standard form, with public bodies required to establish written procedures and make them publicly available.

Provides fee waivers or reductions for indigent individuals (first $20 waived per request, limited to twice per calendar year) and designated nonprofit organizations serving developmental disabilities or mental illness advocacy; waives redaction labor costs for previously redacted records.

Imposes 5% daily labor cost reduction (maximum 50%) for late responses exceeding statutory timeframes when requests clearly indicate freedom of information purpose; allows deposits up to 50% of estimated fees exceeding $50, or up to 100% from individuals with unpaid prior requests, and takes effect January 1, 2019.