The Michigan House of Representatives today unanimously approved a plan championed by House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin to permanently enshrine groundbreaking budget transparency standards into state law.

Bollin, R-Brighton Township, said House Bill 4420 is a major step forward for taxpayers seeking accountability in how their money is spent. The measure cements key reforms she initiated earlier this year that require detailed public disclosures for all legislatively directed spending projects. Those reforms require detailed information about all proposed budget earmarks to be posted online for the public to review before state funding can be awarded.

“There shouldn’t be secret deals or last-minute pet projects hidden in the budget,” Bollin said. “The changes we’re making ensure that transparency and accountability are not optional; they’re the new standard.”

Bollin’s changes also ban earmarks for for-profit businesses and newly created nonprofits that don’t have an established history in Michigan. Each spending request must include the name of the recipient, project location, a detailed timeline and budget, a description of the public benefit, and a conflict-of-interest disclosure.

The rules, adopted by the House in January through Bollin’s resolution, would be placed into state law through HB 4420. Without a statutory requirement, those rules could be revoked by a future majority. The measure approved today would ensure these transparency measures remain permanent and enforceable in both the House and Senate.

As chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Bollin also led efforts to add more teeth to HB 4420 before it was approved. She helped adopt key improvements to ensure the state clearly identifies which projects are ultimately awarded funding, the amount of funding, and the current status of each grant. The bill also now requires each nonprofit that receives a grant to share its IRS Form 990 with the state to provide further financial transparency.

“Taxpayers expect us to be responsible stewards of their money,” Bollin said. “This is a transformational step forward that gives the public the clarity they deserve. People will be able to see exactly where their money is going and who is benefiting. That’s how government should work.”

Bollin said these changes lay a strong foundation for additional reforms to come.

“This plan raises the bar and sets the tone for real, lasting reform – but it’s only the beginning,” Bollin said. “We must continue to tackle the overuse of work projects and the unchecked use of corporate subsidies.”

House Bill 4420 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.