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Governor Whitmer Allows Remote Public Meetings Until the End of the COVID-19 State of Emergency

Posted on July 17, 2020 by John LaMacchia

Governor Whitmer signed executive order 2020-154, which extends previous executive orders to provide temporary alternative means to conduct public meetings, conduct administrative proceedings, and provide the required notice under tax abatement statutes.

 

Under Executive Order 2020-154, all three previous orders are consolidated and extended to protect the public health and safety of Michiganders. The new order: 

  • Allows public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act, including boards, commissions, committees, subcommittees, authorities, councils and nonprofit boards, to use telephone- or video-conferencing methods to continue meeting and conducting business during the COVID-19 public health crisis, so long as they follow certain procedures to ensure meaningful access and participation by members of the public body and the general public.
  • Allows notice of any public hearing required to take place under a tax abatement statute to be provided electronically and by newspaper.
  • Allows the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Unemployment Insurance Agency, and other administrative hearings to be held by video conference or phone in place of in-person hearings. 

Executive Orders 2020-129, 2020-132 and 2020-141 are rescinded with Executive Order 2020-154 remaining in effect during any state of emergency or disaster associated with COVID-19, and for 28 days thereafter to the extent necessary for public bodies to schedule remote meetings and hearings. 

To view Executive Order 2020-154, click the link below:   

John LaMacchia is the Assistant Director of State and Federal Affairs for the League handling transportation, infrastructure, energy and environment issues. He can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0303.

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