OMA measure would expand allowed reasons for closed session

MTA testified in support of a bill to expand the reasons a public body could hold a closed session before the Senate Local Government this week. Senate Bill 1023, sponsored by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe) and approved by the committee, would permit a public body to hold a closed session to consult with its attorney on the attorney’s legal opinion and to consider a demand made of the public body, among other things. Currently, the Open Meetings Act (OMA) permits public bodies to meet in closed session for specified reasons, such as meeting with a body’s attorney concerning litigation involving the public body. However, it does not permit the public body to meet in closed session to discuss potential litigation or demands made of the body without the presence of an attorney. MTA supports expanding the reasons a public body could meet in closed session to allow productive conversations about current or potential judicial matters involving the body. The bill will next be considered by the full Senate.