The Senate Oversight Committee has reported SB 669 and SB 670, legislation aimed at expanding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to cover the Legislature and Governor’s office. Both bills received bipartisan and unanimous support from committee members, with only one abstention. If passed, the legislation lists exemptions for sensitive records, such as communication with constituents, internal investigations, and caucus counsel records. Exemptions for the Governor and Lieutenant Governor would also include information regarding appointments and personal safety concerns. Also outlined in the legislation are procedures for appointing FOIA coordinators and handling FOIA appeals.

With the passing of SB 669 and SB 670 out of committee, Michigan is one step closer to improving legislative transparency and accountability within our state government. After nearly a decade of unsuccessful attempts at passing similar legislation, the bills now face deliberation by the entire Senate. This upcoming vote will collectively decide the fate of the bills, representing the latest effort to increase government transparency in Michigan.

Governor Grecthen Whitmer has announced several more appointments to various boards and commissions. Among others, commissions of note include the Michigan Board of Medicine, Michigan Task Force on Physician’s Assistants, Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services, Health Information Technology Commission, Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing.

Appointments Include:

Michigan Board of Medicine:

• Hassan F. Abdallah: Representing the general public (Succeeds Teresa Robinson)
• Dr. Abdulghani Sankari: Representing physicians (Succeeds Donald Tynes)
• Aurelia Gooden: Representing the general public (Succeeds Mary Stearns)

Michigan Task Force on Physician’s Assistants

• Dr. Mustafa Mark Hamed: Representing the Board of Medicine (Succeeds Bryan Little)

Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services:

• Dr. Yasmina Bouraoui: Representing disability advocacy groups (Succeeds Khodr Farhat)

Health Information Technology Commission:

• Rex Menold: Representing the designee of the Director of DTMB (Succeeds Jack Harris)

Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice:

• Carol S. Jackson: Representing experience in tribal law enforcement and tribal communities (Succeeds Judge Allie Maldonado)

Advisory Council on Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing:

• Gerid Adams: Designated as chair

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced new appointments and staff members for key positions in her administration. Marlon Brown will take on the role of Director at the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), bringing his extensive experience in public service to the department. Suzanna Shkreli has been selected as the new Commissioner of the Michigan Bureau of State Lottery, with a strong background in juvenile justice reform and government service.

Additionally, several promotions and hires have been made within the executive office, including Shelia Marshall-Curtis as Chief Compliance Officer and Vignesh Meyyappan as Associate Legal Counsel.

Former acting commissioner of the Lottery, Jessica Weare, has accepted a new position within state government.