State Rep. Parker Fairbairn today praised an announcement that Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will begin livestreaming its meetings, adopting a transparency reform he has championed in the state House.

“This is a win for transparency and for hunters and anglers across Michigan,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “Sportsmen shouldn’t have to drive hours to attend an NRC meeting when, in today’s technological age, those meetings can be easily broadcast online.

Fairbairn previously introduced bipartisan legislation requiring the NRC to livestream its meetings. The proposal passed the state House last year with near-unanimous support but currently remains stalled in the state Senate.

“When I introduced this plan, it was widely supported by Republicans, Democrats, and even the NRC itself,” Fairbairn said. “Today’s announcement shows the commission recognized the value of this idea and chose to move forward, regardless of how long the state Senate chooses to sit on it.”

In addition to livestreaming, Fairbairn’s plan would require advance public notice of NRC meeting broadcasts and online archiving of recordings for later viewing.

The NRC is a seven-member public body appointed by the governor that has exclusive authority over regulations governing the taking of game and sport fish, as well as the designation of game species in Michigan – activities that account for an $11 billion piece of Michigan’s economy each year.

The NRC will begin livestreaming its meetings at its next meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 9:30 a.m.

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