Bipartisan Team Introduces LORA

Representative Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) announced a year ago their plans to open legislative communications to the public and have now introduced a 10-bill package that does just that.

The Legislative Open Records Act, or LORA, is established in eight of the ten bills (HB 5469 through HB 5476). The final two bills, HB 5477 and HB 5478, expand Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to the governor’s office. These bills have in total 37 co-sponsors from both Republicans and Democrats. LORA is similar to FOIA, however it applies only to the Legislature. This maintains a separation of powers that would have been compromised had FOIA been directly applied to the Legislature, according to Representative McBroom.

Under LORA, constituent communications are exempt from public requests unless corresponding with a registered lobbyist. Personnel records, such as human resources files are also exempt, as well as: records relating to an ongoing internal or legislative investigation; advisory communications within the public body or between public bodies; trade, commercial or financial records provided confidentially to assist in public policy, communications regarding bill drafting, sergeant-at-arms security issues and auditor general records; and records exclusively maintained by legislative caucuses.

House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) applauded the package, stating it was the best he has seen among introduced sunshine reforms. Both the Michigan Democratic Party and Progress Michigan are in favor of the legislation.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 18, 2016 2:06 PM
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