State Rep Folds On Utility FOIA Bill

A push to exempt utility company and oil company infrastructure plans from the Freedom of Information Act has fallen short.

State Representative Kurt Heise, R-Plymouth, is changing a bill he’s been pushing for almost a year to remove the controversial provision.

He contends keeping people from getting their hands on current and future infrastructure plans is a matter of national security.

Heise says a terrorist could use that information to plot an attack on a utility in Michigan.

However critics say the bill would have allowed companies to hide crucial safety information.

The bill, which cleared a House committee Tuesday, now allows cybersecurity plans to be exempt from the Freedom of Information Act.