Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs law allowing virtual public meetings

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill Friday night allowing government meetings to be conducted virtually, ending several days of confusion among public bodies unsure if they could continue holding remote meetings after Whitmer’s executive orders allowing them were essentially struck down by a recent state Supreme Court ruling.

Introduced in September by State Sen. Lana Theis (R- Brighton), S.B. 1108 amends an existing law that requires most government meetings to be open to the public by allowing for and accommodating remote participation, even as some in-person public meetings resume.

“By allowing for remote meetings, public bodies and residents can continue practicing safe social distancing while also ensuring meetings remain open, accessible and transparent to the public,” Whitmer said in a signing statement.

The new law comes after months in which many government bodies across the state – like city and township councils and school boards – have held their previously in-person public meetings entirely remotely in an effort to maintain social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/10/gov-gretchen-whitmer-signs-law-allowing-virtual-public-meetings.html