Appropriations committee hears testimony on bill to codify earmark-transparency rule

The House Appropriations Committee in Lansing heard testimony on House Bill 4,420, a measure to codify House Rule 14 into statute and require public disclosure of legislative-directed spending, often described as enhancement grants or earmarks.

Supporters said the bill would bring greater accountability to how state dollars are distributed. Representative Coutts, the bill sponsor, told the committee, "House Bill 4,420 codifies into law the House Rule 14 and it's a transparency measure." Chair Boland, who sponsored the chamber resolution that prompted the legislation, said the bill "merely puts in statute what was passed unanimously in our chamber, setting forth the procedure for disclosure on enhancement grants."

Why it matters: Committee members framed the bill as a tool to let taxpayers see who requests state funds, the organizations that would receive them and what the money is intended for — information sponsors say is missing from omnibus budget bills. Former Appropriations Chair Shane Hernandez told the committee that the measure also improves the committee’s internal process, saying, "If you feel comfortable about this grant as an organization…