Section 500.234 - Insurance department; records of office; public inspection, exceptions, destruction, rules and regulations(1) The office of the insurance department is a public office and the records, books, and papers thereof on file therein shall be public records, accessible to the inspection of the public, except as the commissioner, for good reason, may decide otherwise, or except as may be otherwise provided under this code.(2) The commissioner is authorized to destroy or otherwise dispose of all records, books, papers, and other data on file with the department which in his opinion and on the advice of the attorney general, are of no further material value to the state of Michigan; but no destruction or other disposal thereof may be ordered or made by him of any records, books, papers, or other data required by law to be filed or kept on file with the department until the expiration of a period of 10 years, nor of any such records, books, papers, or other data filed during his administration or administrations. Such authorization shall be effected through official rules and regulations of the commissioner: Provided, however, That this authorization shall not extend to articles of incorporation, and amendments thereto, copies of bylaws and amendments thereto, copies of certificates or other written evidence of authorization to transact business or of approval of articles of incorporation and bylaws. A copy of the commissioner's rules and regulations herein provided for and any amendments thereto shall be mailed to each insurer authorized to do business in this state 60 days prior to the effective date thereof.1956, Act 218, Eff. 1/1/1957 .