(NOTE: The League will have a special Monday Morning Live event this Monday at noon to discuss these changes to the Open Meetings Act. Register for free here).

Moments ago, the Governor signed Senate Bill 1108 amending the Open Meetings Act. The changes allow public bodies to conduct virtual meetings for any reason through the end of this year, December 31, 2020. The changes are also retroactive back to March 18, 2020 which means actions taken at remote meetings held since then are considered valid if the meetings complied with other requirements of the act.

Starting January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, public bodies may meet virtually under certain circumstances and provide for remote participate of certain members. Circumstances include:

• military duty;
• a medical condition (defined as an illness, injury, disability or other health-related condition);
• a statewide or local state of emergency or state of disaster declared pursuant to law or charter by the governor or a local official or local governing body (where a meeting held in person would risk the personal health or safety of members of the public or the public body).

The changes have immediate effect. Please consult with your municipal attorney and read the bill in its entirety for all amendments made and requirements going forward.

The Michigan Municipal League will have a special Monday Morning Live event this Monday at noon to discuss these changes to the Open Meetings Act. Register for free here.

Jennifer Rigterink is a legislative associate for the League handling economic development, land use and municipal services issues.  She can be reached at [email protected] or 517-908-0305.