State Rep. Mark Huizenga and the Michigan House of Representatives today approved a plan requiring state legislators to abstain from voting on any bill that could personally benefit them or their families.

“As legislators, my colleagues and I have a duty to ensure that our laws are fair and in the best interest of the people of Michigan, but a conflict of interest can subconsciously affect even the best-intentioned lawmaker’s judgment,” said Huizenga, of Walker. “I proudly support this plan to limit the possibility of conflicts of interest and improve the people’s trust in their elected representatives.”

House Bill 4001 would prohibit a state legislator from voting on a proposed measure if the legislator has a personal of professional interest in the proposal. Prohibited conflicts of interest would include any interest that would directly or indirectly provide a substantial financial benefit to the legislator or an immediate family member, if the interest affects the legislator to a greater extent than other similarly situated individuals.

Representatives and senators who willfully decline to recuse themselves from a vote as required would be subject to disciplinary action by the House or Senate, respectively.

The House approved HB 4001 with bipartisan support, and it now advances to the Senate for consideration.