Bills Increase Transparency for Candidates and Elected Officials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 14, 2025

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Governor Whitmer Signs Bills Increasing Transparency for Candidates and Elected Officials, Supporting Free and Fair Elections in Michigan

LANSING, Mich.  – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed two bills that will increase transparency and good governance in Michigan by clarifying and expanding reporting requirements for candidates and elected officials. These bills bolster Governor Whitmer’s commitment to increasing transparency in Michigan’s government by ensuring elected officials disclose conflicts of interest to the public. Including today’s legislation, Governor Whitmer has signed a record 1,504 bipartisan bills into law since taking office.

“Michiganders deserve to know how their government is working for them,” said Governor Whitmer. “That’s why I’m proud to sign Senate Bills 99 and 100, so we can cut confusing red tape, help more Michiganders run for office, and increase transparency in our government. By getting this done, we can keep building on the progress we’ve made to fix the damn roads, improve education, build affordable housing, and more. Together, let’s keep making a real difference for people across the state.”

Senate Bill 99, sponsored by state Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield), increases transparency in Michigan’s government by requiring public officers to report the source of unearned incomes, including gift, travel, and charity payments. Specifically, this bill clarifies that public officers must disclose gifts that are required to be reported by lobbyists and lobbying firms. The bill also extends the deadline to file disclosures to June 13. By increasing transparency in lawmaking, this bill will ensure Michiganders’ interests are prioritized over external influences.

“Voters demanded more openness and transparency in state government by passing Proposal 1 in 2022 and we led the charge in the Senate to implement Michigan’s first-ever financial disclosure report for state officials last year,” said state Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). “This year, we’re building on that progress by adding further required disclosures while making it easier for filers to submit the form and for the public to access it. This new law continues to deliver on the promise of Proposal 1.”

Senate Bill 100, sponsored by state Senator Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), supports free and fair elections in Michigan by ensuring reporting requirements for candidates are clear, cutting unnecessary red tape within our election system. Specifically, the bill modifies and clarifies the process for financial disclosure, ensuring the Secretary of State’s office can properly submit the reports required to verify a candidate for office. The bill also extends the deadline to file disclosures to June 13. This bill will address past user errors, ensuring more Michiganders can run for office in our state.

“The citizens rightly demanded more accountability of their elected representatives, but bureaucracy has been making it very difficult and expensive,” said state Senator Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan). “I thank my colleagues and the Governor for supporting these simple fixes.”

Supporting Transparency and Good Governance in Michigan

Governor Whitmer is committed to ensuring that Michiganders have a transparent, responsive state government, and can make their voices heard at the ballot box. Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has:

• Voluntarily disclosed public calendars, federal income tax returns, and personal financial information.

• Signed executive directives to:

• Identify opportunities to help eligible Michigan residents register to vote.

• Require reporting of irregularities relating to public money or public property to ensure state government is transparent and accountable to taxpayers.

• Establish high standards of ethical conduct for employees within the executive branch to ensure public confidence in state government leaders.

• Prohibit the solicitation and receipt of political contributions in all state government facilities to curtail improper political influence.

• Prohibit the use of private email for the conduct of state business within the executive branch to ensure transparency in state government activities.

• Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act by closing loopholes, establishing liaisons to facilitate public requests, and modernizing access to public records

• Signed a bill to expand transparency and accountability by ensuring government bodies create and maintain audio recordings of their meetings.

• Signed bills implementing Proposal 1, improving transparency in state government.

• Signed a bill to make the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission more transparent by ensuring all meetings are public.

• Signed executive order streamlining state boards, councils, and commissions.