LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday signed an executive order to allow a temporarily change to the Open Meetings Act to permit public bodies to conduct their meetings electronically, while also facilitating public participation, through April 15.

Public bodies that are subject to the Open Meetings Act, including boards, commissions, committees, subcommittees, authorities, councils, and nonprofit boards, can use telephone- or video- conferencing methods to continue meeting and conducting business during the coronavirus public health crisis, so long as they follow certain procedures to ensure meaningful access and participation by members of the public body and the general public.

Public bodies must meet the following criteria when holding a public meeting electronically:

— Ensure two-way communication for members and the public to hear and address each other.

— Provide adequate notice to the public of the meeting.

— Post a public meeting notice on their website.

— Permit participants to record or broadcast the public meeting.

— Allow participants to address the public body during a public comment period.

The order also temporarily authorizes public bodies, departments, and agencies to use technology to enable remote participation in public comment and hearings, and temporarily excuses school boards from monthly meeting requirements.

Michigan’s Senate majority leader said he was concerned about the changes Whitmer ordered.

“The Senate Republican Caucus is deeply concerned about Executive Order 2020-15 to alter requirements under the Open Meetings Act,” said Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake. “We believe this order may limit the public’s ability to participate in the democratic process.”

To view the order, go to EO 2020-15 Emergency Order-OMA.pdf.