PROHIBIT STATE GRANTS

FOR STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS

House Bill 4380

Sponsor:  Rep. Sarah Roberts

Committee:  Ethics and Elections

Complete to 2-5-10

A REVISED SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4380 AS INTRODUCED 2-19-10

House Bill 4380 would amend Public Act 318 of 1968, which addresses substantial conflicts of interest on the part of members of the Legislature and state officers, to prohibit a legislator, governor, lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, or the attorney general from receiving state grants, and also from participating in the negotiation of a state contract with someone who has made a contribution to his or her campaign committee.

Currently under the law, no member of the Legislature or any state officer can be interested (directly or indirectly) in any contract with the state (or any political subdivision of the state) that causes a substantial conflict of interest.  House Bill 4380 would retain that provision, and add that "a member of the Legislature, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, or the attorney general shall not directly or indirectly apply for or accept the award of a grant funded by the state during his or her term of office, if the grant is not specifically in furtherance of duties of the legislative office."

The bill also specifies that it would be a substantial conflict of interest for a legislator, the governor, the lieutenant governor, the secretary of state, or the attorney general to participate in the negotiation of a state contract on behalf of a party that had made a contribution to his or her campaign committee.

MCL 15.302

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill appears to have no fiscal impact.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

                                                                                                                       

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.