State Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti) testifies in the House Ethics and Oversight Committee on Nov. 14, 2024, in the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing.
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 15, 2024 — Two bills out of BRITE Act have passed out of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee yesterday. House Bills 5581 and 5586 ensure transparency and reduce the influence of special interests.
“This is a ‘brite’ day in the state of Michigan,” said state Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn), chair of the committee. “With these two bills moving forward, we can now take them up in the full House. I’m confident that these bills will help government return to serving the people instead of high-powered lobbyists. Together, we will strengthen Michigan and help to restore the people’s trust in government.”
HB 5581, sponsored by state Rep. Jimmie Wilson, Jr. (D-Ypsilanti), would update the list of “lobbyable officials” to include legislative staff and positions in the executive branch. This means members of legislative and executive staff would fall under the same rules and regulations that other public officials must follow.
“This legislation will increase transparency in the Legislature,” Wilson said. “In the era of term limits, staffers now hold a lot of the institutional knowledge within the Legislature. Lobbyists have been able to concentrate their efforts with meals, drinks and more without having to report it. This is a loophole in our current laws that must be closed to help safeguard against excessive lobbying efforts.”
HB 5586, sponsored by state Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), committee vice chair, addresses the revolving door from state official to lobbyist. It would prohibit the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, or a state senator or representative from engaging in certain lobbying activities for one year after the last date of their term of office.
“This common-sense legislation will protect our state government from outside influences,” Hope said. “The job of an elected official is to serve the public including the people who elected them, not lobbyists. This legislation will ensure that an elected official is working in the interest of their constituents and not serving lobbyists in hopes of future employment.”
Supporters of these bills include:
- Michigan League of Conservation Voters
- Michigan Nurses Association Retirees Council
- Clean Water Action
- League of Women Voters Michigan
- Voters Not Politicians
- Michigan Department of State
- Michiganders for Fair and Transparent Elections
###