SB 288 Michigan Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Civil rights: open meetings; grounds for going into closed session when a public body consults with its attorney; modify. Amends sec. 8 of 1976 PA 267 (MCL 15.268).

SB 288 amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to explicitly prohibit the independent citizens redistricting commission from holding any closed sessions for any purpose. This change directly affects the redistricting commission, which draws legislative and congressional district maps. The bill adds a specific rule in the law stating the commission cannot meet privately, reinforcing transparency in the redistricting process. Existing closed session rules for other public bodies (like personnel matters or legal consultations) remain unchanged.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

May 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced May 7, 2025 Last action Jun 25, 2025

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What changed between versions

Senate Introduced Bill → As Passed by the Senate · 7 edits · Jun 25, 2025

MODERATE

This bill amends Michigan's Open Meetings Act to add new categories of business that public bodies can discuss in closed sessions. The changes expand privacy protections for employees facing discipline, students facing disciplinary action, and job applicants, while also adding provisions for collective bargaining negotiations and veteran services interviews.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the Open Meetings Act by adding new subsections (a through l) that define specific situations where public meetings can be closed to the public.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a new category allowing closed sessions to discuss the dismissal or discipline of public employees if the employee requests a closed hearing.

Added a new category allowing closed sessions to discuss the dismissal or discipline of students if the student or parent requests a closed hearing.

Added a new category allowing closed sessions for collective bargaining negotiations if either party requests a closed hearing.

Added a new category allowing closed sessions for county veteran services committees to interview applicants for benefits if the applicant requests a closed hearing.

Added a new category allowing closed sessions for partisan caucuses of state legislators.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the requirements for selecting university presidents to ensure no single group on the search committee constitutes a majority and to mandate a 30-day waiting period before voting on final candidates.

Added a requirement that deliberations and votes on selecting a university president must take place in an open session.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 25, 2025

How they voted

22–14

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 38

Jun 25, 2025

D Democratic19

19 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

3 Yea 14 Nay 2

73% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 25, 2025

Committee

referred to Committee on Government Operations

lower

Jun 25, 2025

Introduced

received on 06/25/2025

lower

Jun 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

PASSED ROLL CALL # 171 YEAS 22 NAYS 14 EXCUSED 1 NOT VOTING 0

upper

Jun 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT(S)

upper

Jun 4, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

upper

Jun 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

REPORTED FAVORABLY WITHOUT AMENDMENT 6/3/2025

upper

May 7, 2025

Committee

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

upper

May 7, 2025

Introduced

INTRODUCED BY SENATOR VERONICA KLINEFELT

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors