The Michigan House has approved a bipartisan plan introduced in part by state Rep. Bronna Kahle to greatly improve ethics and transparency laws for government officials.

Kahle’s legislation is one of many comprehensive reforms in the bill package, including improvements to public record laws, ethical standards, financial disclosure requirements, bans on conflicts of interest, and more.

“Michigan’s ethical standards for state government are notoriously low”, Kahle said. “The people of Lenawee County and across this state deserve to have faith in their elected officials. Restoring trust in government requires pulling back the veil of secrecy that has shrouded some of the highest levels in state government for too long. It is past the time for the legislature to consider initiatives that demand more integrity, more accountability, and more transparency from government officials and their staff”.

Some of the reforms in the package were already approved by the state Legislature, including the expansion of the Freedom of Information Act and changes to the “lame duck” legislative session.

Other reforms were approved today, including gift restrictions, new penalties for state legislators who fail to show up for the job or act unethically, and establish permanent, independent ethics committees in the Legislature to investigate complaints and ensure compliance.

Kahle’s bill in the package expands lobbying disclosures. While under current law, lobbyists must disclose money spent to lobby state officials, they are not required to do the same for the influential staff of those officials. House Bill 4690, sponsored by Rep. Kahle, closes this loophole by adding all policy-making staff in the legislature and the governor’s office to the list of “lobbyable” officials. While these individuals are not able to make final decisions, they may have influence on legislative and administrative policy and Kahle said the lobby law should recognize this influence, expanding current accountability and transparency measures.

“I have listened to many people from around the County that are tired of political games in state government.  As a public servant, I am pleased to sponsor and support this plan that makes sure the residents of our Michigan are served by a more open and accountable government”, Kahle stated.

The plan was approved with bipartisan support and now moves to be considered by the state Senate.