LANSING, Mich. (March 20, 2026) — Supporters of government transparency recognize Sunshine Week every year as a way to advocate for a more open, honest democracy. A key component of Sunshine Week is “Freedom of Information,” even getting its own designated day, and Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Bloomfield) is again using this week to push for action on his legislation to expand the Freedom of Information Act in Michigan, which is one of three states that currently exempts the legislature and governor.
For over a year, Senate Bills 1 and 2, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, have been sitting idle in the hands of Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.), who alone holds the power to put them up for a vote in the Michigan House. Since the Senate transmitted the bills in early 2025, Speaker Hall declared them dead on arrival and called them “a very low priority.”
This is quite an about-face and blow to transparency, as Speaker Hall and several House Republicans have previously gone on record — in comments and votes — supporting well-overdue transparency reforms that would expand FOIA in Michigan. Don’t believe us? Hear directly from Hall and his colleagues:
“This Sunshine Week presents an opportunity to enhance the transparency and efficiency of state government… The Freedom of Information Act is supposed to ensure public access to government records, and it’s worrisome that there are gaps in how information is shared and communicated with the public… It’s crucial to support proposals that enhance transparency in our government, including stricter requirements for the governor and state departments to disclose documents and communications… These bills would also ensure that the governor, lieutenant governor, and the Legislature disclose documents and communications.” — Rep. Matt Hall, Letter to Speaker Joe Tate, March 11, 2024
“If they [House Democrats] put it up, I’m going to vote for it.” — Rep. Matt Hall, Detroit News, Dec. 29, 2024
In addition to his words of support, before becoming Speaker, Hall also voted for House Bill 4007 in 2019 and House Bill 4383 in 2021, which would have subjected the governor and legislature to open records laws. However, now that Hall leads the lower chamber, he has completely flipped his position on the issue.
While Hall is at the helm of the obstruction effort, he is not alone in his flip-flopping. Over 20 members of the current House Republican Caucus have also previously voted in favor of FOIA expansion. Several other House Republicans have advocated for the change in law and called for an opportunity to vote on it, including Reps. Tom Kunse (D-Clare) and Bill G. Schuette (D-Midland).
“The legislature, none of us, not the Governor [are subject to FOIA]. How do I tell my cities and townships, hey you have to live by this set of rules, even though I’m not going to.” — Rep. Kunse, Michigan News Source, Sept. 20, 2023.
“Michigan continuously ranks among the worst states in the country when it comes to transparency in government. It’s completely unacceptable, and it’s time for change. Therefore, my Republican colleagues and I introduced a measure to truly turn things around. Michigan voters approved Proposal 1 in our last election, demonstrating their clear desire for their public officials to increase transparency. We heard you loud and clear, and we are taking action.” — Rep. Kunse, Press Release: Rep. Kunse: Time is now to increase government transparency, strengthen ethical standards, March 15, 2023
“Transparency is a cornerstone of democracy that Michigan as a state severely lags in compared to other states. We are done waiting – the time is now to deliver on the promises made to Michigan residents. House Republicans are paving a new path for a better Michigan.” — Rep. Kunse, Press Release: Rep. Kunse: Time is now to increase government transparency, strengthen ethical standards, March 15, 2023
“We’ll get 105 votes on that [FOIA]. Let’s open it up. Let’s start our next session with a bipartisan — nobody’s opposed to this —Let’s show that we can work across the aisle. I think it’d be a great way to open the session.” — Rep. Kunse, Michigan Advance, Nov. 15, 2024
“Michigan has long been toward the bottom of national rankings for transparency in government. It’s unacceptable and it’s time we forgo this status quo. These proposals are steps in the right direction. Voters approved Proposal 1 last year and sent a clear message that the people of this state demand greater transparency from their public officials. House Republicans are done waiting. We are leading the way to deliver this transparency. This is the right move for our state and people we all represent.” — Rep. Schuette, Press Release: Rep. Schuette: Past Time For Sunshine In Michigan, March 14, 2023
“We celebrated ‘Sunshine Week’ in Lansing, where we recognize the importance of transparency in government. I introduced legislation to hold her [the governor], and all of Lansing accountable. With my Republican colleagues, we rolled out our plan to open the Governor’s office to the Freedom of Information Act and stop the revolving door of lawmaker to lobbyist. I hope everyone can get behind these good governance plans to bring more responsibility and accountability to Lansing.” — Rep. Schuette, March update from Representative Bill G. Schuette, March 31, 2023
“It is past time for the legislature to carry out its duties of oversight, ensuring that the executive branch and bureaucrats are held accountable to the people of Michigan.” — Rep. Schuette, Bridge, Jan. 8, 2025
“The legislation we have introduced will create that transparency. It adds the governor’s office to the existing Freedom of Information Act and creates the Legislative Office Records Act, putting much needed sunlight into spaces currently firmly in the dark.” — Reps. Kunse and Schuette, Detroit News, March 13, 2023
“The idea that Michiganders deserve an open, honest, and transparent government should not be a radical or partisan concept,” said Sen. Moss, Chairman of the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee and sponsor of Senate Bill 1. “Every single time these bills have been put up for a vote, we’ve seen tremendous support from legislators on both sides of the political spectrum — including from Matt Hall himself. But now that he holds the gavel, he is the single roadblock from keeping these bills from becoming law. Michiganders deserve to know: why the change?”