Sponsor says anonymity for multistate lottery winners would protect safety and privacy; committee hears House Bill 4004

Representative Outman presented House Bill 4004 to the House Committee on Regulatory Reform, saying the measure would allow winners of multistate lottery jackpots to remain anonymous in Michigan.

"This is a reintroduction of a bill that I was honored to sponsor last term," Representative Outman told the committee, adding that this is his third time sponsoring the legislation and noting prior House support. "In the age of the Internet and social media, it has become increasingly easy to obtain access to somebody's personal information... This heightened visibility raises the risk of fraud, harassment, and even fiscal harm. Requiring individuals to reveal their names when they win a lottery prize is like throwing meat into a shark infested ocean."

Outman said 11 other states already protect the identity of multistate-game winners and argued the change is a bipartisan public-safety and privacy measure. He told the committee the bill previously passed the House overwhelmingly in prior sessions but did not become law because of inaction in the Senate.

No formal committee vote was taken on House Bill 4004 during the hearing. The Michigan Lottery submitted a written card noting a neutral position; the attendee on the card, Mike Gallagher of the Michigan Lottery, did not ask to speak. Outman closed by offering to take committee questions; none were recorded in the transcript during the presentation.

The committee moved on to other agenda items after the presentation.

Because the bill was presented as background and for questions, no policymaking action was recorded at this meeting.