SB 129 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Civil rights: open meetings; remote meeting participation of certain public body members with disabilities; provide for. Amends sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).

Senate Bill 129 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to expand the circumstances under which public bodies can hold electronic meetings. Primarily, it allows appointed members of public bodies with disabilities to participate remotely as an accommodation, enabling them to fully engage without disclosing the nature of their disability, provided they are physically in the state. However, this accommodation does not apply to elected members or to state legislative bodies when taking a formal vote. Additionally, the bill permits remote meetings for public bodies managing municipal public employee retirement systems and joint agencies formed under the Michigan energy employment act.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 6, 2025 Last action Apr 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill As Passed by the Senate · 8 edits · Apr 17, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to clarify and expand rules for electronic meetings, particularly for public bodies with members who have disabilities or are serving in the military. The changes add specific provisions allowing remote participation for appointed members with disabilities, establish requirements for public notice of electronic meetings, and clarify when electronic meetings are permitted based on different circumstances and time periods.
Scope change
The bill expands eligibility for electronic meetings to include appointed members with disabilities and clarifies rules for agricultural commodity groups and joint agencies, while adding new requirements for public notice and participation procedures.
ELIGIBILITY

Added new provision allowing appointed members with disabilities to participate electronically in meetings, with restrictions that they must be physically present in Michigan and not apply to elected officials or legislative bodies taking formal votes.

Added provision allowing remote participation for members absent due to military duty or medical conditions, but only for those specific members, not others at the same meeting.

Modified eligibility rules for agricultural commodity groups to include the Michigan bean commission and clarify the potato industry commission reference.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for public bodies with internet presence to post advance notice of electronic meetings on their websites, including explanations of why the meeting is electronic and how the public can participate.

Added requirement that electronic meeting agendas be posted at least 2 hours before the meeting begins for public bodies with regular internet updates.

Added prohibition on requiring registration or personal information from the public as a condition of attending electronic meetings, except for participation in public comment periods.

Added requirement for public bodies managing municipal employee retirement systems to establish and publish attendance policies including how quorum is determined with electronic participation.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for disability, formal vote, and participation to clarify the disability accommodation provision.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

2017
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 38
Apr 17, 2025
D Democratic19
19 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
1 Yea 17 Nay 1
89% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
referred to Committee on Government Operations
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
received on 04/17/2025
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 48 YEAS 20 NAYS 16 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 3/18/2025
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS, JUDICIARY, AND PUBLIC SAFETY
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SEAN MCCANN
upper
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors