State Rep. Ann Bollin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, today led a hearing on legislation that will permanently require transparency and accountability for all legislatively directed state spending projects.

Bollin, R-Brighton Township, said House Bill 4420 places the groundbreaking reforms previously adopted by the Michigan House in January into state law. Those reforms, initiated by a resolution sponsored by Bollin, require all proposed budget earmarks to include detailed public disclosures about the project, the legislator requesting the funds, and the public benefit of the initiative.

“This merely puts in statute what passed unanimously in our chamber,” Bollin said during the hearing. “It places commonsense guardrails on how we approach funding and appropriations — ensuring taxpayer dollars are directed responsibly and transparently.”

Bollin said the need to make these reforms permanent is highlighted by recent scandals involving state-funded projects that led to investigations and even criminal charges. Without statutory backing, the current rules could be revoked by any future House majority.

HB 4420 bans earmarks for for-profit businesses, newly created nonprofits, and any entity connected to the legislator sponsoring the request. Each request must include information on the recipient, location, timeline, total cost, public benefit, and confirmation of no conflicts of interest.

“It shouldn’t be a ‘who you know’ system to sneak pet projects into the state budget,” Bollin said. “By putting these requirements in state law, we’re holding ourselves and future lawmakers to a higher standard on behalf of the people we serve.”

Bollin emphasized that transparency requirements do more than just prevent abuse, they improve the entire budgeting process. As chair of the Appropriations Committee, the rules help her better identify statewide needs, prioritize funding, and plan for future state budget demands.

“This is just a start,” Bollin said. “We still need reforms in work project authorizations, grant programs, and corporate welfare spending. But making these reforms permanent is a strong step forward for responsible, transparent budgeting. This is what is right for the institution.”

The House adopted Bollin’s original budget transparency resolution unanimously in January. If HB 4420 is approved by both chambers and signed into law by the governor, it would make these transparency standards permanent and enforceable for all future legislatures.

HB 4420 remains under consideration in the House Appropriations Committee, and Bollin has committed to holding additional hearings on the measure.