Rep. Chatfield bill, transparency package approved by committee

Legislation by state Rep. Lee Chatfield of Levering was part of government transparency package that the House Michigan Competitiveness Committee approved today.

Collectively, the 11-bill package will extend jurisdiction of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to include the governor and lieutenant governor and create the Legislative Open Records Act which places the Legislature under public disclosure laws.

“If we believe that transparency is a good requirement to ensure accountability for our local units of government, I think it is only right and prudent that the Legislature subject themselves and our executive office as well,” said Chatfield, who is chair of the Michigan Competitiveness Committee. “State government must be more accountable to the people it serves. I’m pleased to see such strong support from my colleagues on the committee and look forward to the full House taking up the 11 bills as representatives of our state’s citizens.”

Chatfield’s bill, along with legislation from state Rep. Jeremy Moss, will establish (FOIA) to include the governor and lieutenant governor with minimal exemptions.

The legislation is similar to a package of bills introduced last session and passed overwhelmingly by the House, but did not make it to the governor for signature.