Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disclosure Foreign Gifts topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Representative Schutte urges disclosure and bar on 'constraining' agreements with foreign entities of concern
Summary
Representative Schutte presented House Bill 4240, which would prohibit state agencies and local governments from entering constraining agreements with foreign entities of concern and require disclosure of gifts and agreements. Schutte cited his prior Department of Defense service and national‑security concerns; members queried whether county
Representative Schutte presented House Bill 4240 to the House Committee on Government Operations. The bill would prohibit state agencies and local governments from entering into constraining agreements with foreign entities of concern and require public bodies to disclose gifts and agreements with a foreign entity of concern.
Schutte framed the proposal as a national‑security measure and cited his experience as a Department of Defense intelligence officer, saying foreign nations "use every single lever of power, be that economic, cultural, or coercive" to gain influence. He referenced espionage near Camp Grayling and alleged that blacklisted companies had acquired footholds in Michigan using taxpayer dollars.
Representative McFaul asked about enforcement and why county prosecutors were included alongside the attorney general. Schutte responded that county prosecutors could act when violations occurred at the local level and that county prosecutors often have authority to enforce state law in their jurisdictions. Committee members asked no further procedural questions, and no committee vote was recorded on the bill in the transcript.
Ending
Sponsor testimony ended after brief questions on enforcement; he offered to work with members on details. No votes were taken during the session recorded in the transcript.
