(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/13/2025) Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) insinuated during a press conference on Thursday that SB 1 and SB 2 that subject the governor’s office and state Legislature to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in some cases are dead. 

In a press conference a few weeks ago, Hall said not to expect fast action on any FOIA expansion bills. He told reporters they ought to register as lobbyists if they were going to use a press conference to advocate for the bills to be taken up after someone asked about their status in the House. 

“Don’t you think I’m the most transparent quadrant leader that you’ve worked with in a while?” Hall asked a reporter during Thursday’s press conference while on the topic of the Hall Ethics and Transparency (HEAT) plan. “If you got your FOIA bill, that you’re the only one talking about, and you know is dead, then you think they’re gonna put (what you’re looking for) in an email and you’re gonna get it?” 

Part of the HEAT plan includes a House rule that says the chamber won’t take up an appropriations bill that doesn’t name the sponsors and intended recipients of earmarked spending. The House resolution that changed the rule was sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton). Hall said she’d be interested in putting the policy in statute. 

However, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) indicated at the time that movement on a bill like that would require the House to move the Senate bills on FOIA.