This week the House Oversight committee heard testimony on HB 4001 and HB 4314.  Committee started late because session ran late so there was a shortened time frame for testimony.  Mike Fisher, attorney for the city of Livonia, testified in opposition to the bills.

The substitute for HB 4001 (HB 4001) still does not allow for the true cost of FOIA requests to be recognized and creates onerous invoicing requirements.  It also creates penalties if the municipality does not respond to a request in time while leaving out any sort of penalty for those who are abusing the system.

HB 4314 creates a commission at the state level to hear FOIA appeals.  As the bill is right now, there is not one member of a municipality, etc who actually has to deal with the FOIA request.  It is made up of representatives from media groups.

The League is opposed to both pieces of legislation.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate for the League.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.