Michigan’s new Prevailing Wage for State Projects Act (the “Act”) became effective on February 13, 2024, and is substantially similar to a prior statutory prevailing wage requirement which was repealed in 2018.
The Act...more
On February 13, 2024, Public Act 214 of 2023 (“PA 214”) takes effect, amending Michigan's Open Meetings Act to give some public bodies greater freedom in holding electronic meetings....more
In today's world of technology and communications, communities are increasingly reaching their residents and marketing their services through social media. It has become common for cities, villages, and nearly all forms of...more
Cities with a population of 15,500 or more now may specially assess for police and fire services under a new law, Public Act 228 of 2022, that becomes effective on March 28, 2023, that amends Act 33, Public Acts of...more
On June 15, 2022, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation amending Act 57, Public Acts of Michigan, 1988 (“Act 57"), to authorize an emergency services authority, established under Act 57 by municipalities to...more
On February 4, 2022, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel opined that the Americans with Disabilities Act (the "ADA") requires public bodies to afford an individual with a disability a reasonable accommodation to participate...more
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that "substantial compliance" with the Open Meetings Act's public notice requirements is insufficient to shield public officials from civil liability for intentional public notice...more
On March 30, 2021, the authority for Michigan public bodies to hold electronic "virtual" meetings for any reason under the Michigan Open Meetings Act ("OMA") expired. Thus, starting on March 31, 2021, and continuing until...more
On December 23, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Senate Bill 1246, extending the authority for public bodies to conduct electronic "virtual" meetings for any reason through March 31, 2021. The law, now...more
This has been updated from its original version published on October 15th to reflect that the Governor signed Senate Bill 1108 and it took immediate effect on Friday, October 16th. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed...more
On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, the Michigan Legislature adopted amendments to the Open Meetings Act (the "OMA"), which would have immediate effect upon signature by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Senate Bill 1108...more
On April 14, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-48 (the "Order"), extending the ability of public bodies to conduct remote public meetings through May 12, 2020. The Order rescinds Executive Order...more
As anticipated, on April 5, 2020, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-38 suspending “strict compliance” with the required response periods under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”), 1976 PA 442, as...more
On March 17, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-15 (the "Order"), suspending "strict compliance" with Section 3 of the Open Meetings Act, 1976 PA 267 (the "Act"), until April 15, 2020 at 11:59 p.m....more
Tax increment authorities and municipalities face new transparency and reporting requirements under a recently signed law.
The Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act, 2018 PA 57 (“Act 57”) was signed by Gov. Rick Snyder on...more
As candidates begin to ramp up fundraising efforts ahead of the November 2018 elections, state and local candidates in Michigan now have new tools in their arsenal to support their efforts, albeit indirectly, after the...more
Brownfield redevelopment authorities and developers and owners of transformational brownfield redevelopment projects are eligible for substantial tax incentives under legislation signed by Governor Snyder on June 8,...more
On Jan. 9, 2017, Michigan Governor Snyder signed into law a package of bills, all with immediate effect, that would exempt certain taxes levied for library purposes from being captured by tax increment financing authorities,...more
The Michigan Court of Appeals has ruled that email deliberations among a quorum of public body members violates the Open Meetings Act. The Nov. 1, 2016, unpublished opinion was issued by a three-judge panel in the case of...more
A public body must respond to a FOIA request within five days, but the Michigan Court of Appeals has opined that there is no obligation to produce the requested information within that timeframe.
In a June 23, 2016,...more
Michigan governmental entities will face significant new regulations on how they charge for responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests beginning July 1, 2015.
...more
Recent reforms to the Michigan personal property tax require community colleges to report their debt revenue loss to the Michigan Department of Treasury by September 5, 2014....more
Earlier this month, the Michigan Department of Treasury issued Bulletin 6 implementing revisions to the application form and method of filing for the annual Qualifying Statement. The Revised Municipal Finance Act, Public Act...more
On December 27, 2012, Governor Snyder signed into law HB 5459, which amends the Michigan Open Meetings Act to add several new notice requirements for public bodies holding rescheduled or special meetings....more