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HB 4931

Civil rights: open meetings; remote meeting participation for licensing board meetings; allow. Amends sec. 3a of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.263a).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Bohnak and 4 co-sponsors

Expands remote meetings for licensing boards and certain public bodies, permitting electronic meetings for any reason while preserving transparency and limiting remote voting on ru

placed on third reading
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Bill Summary · HB 4931

Summary — HB 4931 (2025)

Amends section 3a of the Open Meetings Act (1976 PA 267; MCL 15.263a) to clarify and broaden circumstances under which public bodies may hold meetings electronically and to add licensing boards and several specified entities to the list of bodies eligible to meet remotely in “any circumstances.”

Purpose

To expand and codify authority for certain public bodies to hold meetings, in whole or in part, electronically (by telephonic or video conferencing), while preserving Open Meetings Act (OMA) transparency requirements and adding a specific restriction on remote participation for licensing board members in rule-processing matters.

Key provisions

  • Revisions to when electronic meetings are permitted:
    • Retroactive allowance for “any circumstances” before March 31, 2021 (back to March 18, 2020).
    • Time-limited rules for 2021 (March 31–Dec 31) tied to accommodation of absent members and local emergencies.
    • After Dec. 31, 2021, electronic meetings generally limited to accommodation for members absent due to military duty — except as below.
  • Explicitly permits “any circumstances” for certain public bodies:
    • Agricultural commodity groups (listed examples).
    • Public bodies responsible for municipal public employee retirement systems (effective Feb. 13, 2024): these bodies must publish an attendance policy that addresses quorum when members participate electronically.
    • Joint agencies formed under the Michigan energy employment act (effective Feb. 13, 2024).
    • Licensing boards (effective date of amendatory act): may meet electronically for any reason; however, a licensing board member attending electronically may not vote on any issue pertaining to the processing of a rule (as defined in the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969).
  • Operational requirements for electronic meetings:
    • Two‑way communication so members and the public can hear and be heard; technology may be used to facilitate typed public comments that can be read or shared.
    • No physical place required for electronic meetings; electronic participants counted as present for quorum and attendance purposes.
    • If the public body maintains a website with regular agenda/minutes updates, it must post advance notice of electronic meetings on an accessible portion of the site (home page or prominent link). Notices must be posted at least 18 hours before the meeting and must explain: reason for meeting electronically; how the public may participate (including phone/internet details); how the public can contact body members about agenda items; and how persons with disabilities may participate.

Who is affected

  • Licensing boards (bodies that determine qualifications or issue credentials under laws such as the Public Health Code, Occupational Code, Skilled Trades Regulation Act).
  • Agricultural commodity groups, municipal public-employee retirement system boards, and certain joint energy agencies.
  • Members of these public bodies, applicants and regulated professionals, and the general public seeking to observe or participate in meetings.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Bill introduced March 13, 2025; committee hearings and reports occurred April 2025; electronically reproduced and reintroduced/first read September 11, 2025; referred to Committee on Regulatory Reform.
  • Amends section previously modified by 2023 PA 214; some subdivisions reference effective dates of earlier amendments (notably Feb. 13, 2024).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Expands remote-meeting flexibility for licensing and other specified bodies, increasing convenience and continuity of governance.
  • Preserves public participation and access requirements (two-way communication, posting, disability access).
  • Restricts remote voting by licensing board members on rule-processing matters, likely to reduce procedural concerns about remote decision‑making on rulemaking.
  • Raises operational questions (quorum policies, technology access, cybersecurity, recordkeeping) that affected bodies will need to address in published policies and meeting procedures.

Related bill

  • Senate companion: SB 2159.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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