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Panel adopts substitute requiring lawmakers to disclose tickets and travel paid by non‑family donors
Summary
House Bill 5585, part of the BRIGHT Act package, would require public officers to annually disclose tickets to entertainment and travel paid by non‑immediate family donors and add disclosures for conferences and trainings paid by lobbyists; the committee adopted an H‑2 substitute and reported the bill with recommendation.
Ashley Schoninger, legislative director for state Rep. Betsy Kaffia, testified in support of House Bill 5585, which would require public officers to annually disclose tickets to concerts, sporting events and other entertainment gifted by lobbyists or non‑immediate‑family donors, and to disclose travel paid by non‑immediate‑family donors.
Schoninger said the bill is focused on transparency and does not ban travel or ticket payments. The substitute narrowed the definition of "immediate family" from the introduced version and added disclosure requirements for conferences, trainings and meetings paid for by lobbyists.
During questions, members sought to understand whether the bill changes current reimbursement practices. Schoninger said the bill addresses disclosure only and does not alter reimbursement procedures for tickets received from lobbyists. Committee staff and the Secretary of State representative noted that reimbursable travel for official work remains governed by office budgets and pre/post travel documentation.
Members also asked about common scenarios such as educational conferences, peer‑networking events and holiday gifts. Schoninger and staff repeatedly said educational and training events are allowed and would be subject to disclosure rather than prohibition; the bill does not impose a dollar cap or a fair‑market valuation method for non‑lobbyist gifts. Rep. Harris raised a hypothetical about gifts at holiday events and whether a broad list of non‑family gifts would need reporting; staff said disclosures depend on the scenario and the substitute tightened the immediate‑family definition to address some concerns.
The committee read two cards of support from the Michigan Department of State and the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. The committee adopted the H‑2 substitute by roll call and reported House Bill 5585 with recommendation as the H‑2 substitute (committee summary: 6 yays, 0 nays, 3 pass). Staff said they would continue to refine definitions such as "immediate family" and return with clarifying language if needed.
The committee adjourned after reporting both BRIGHT Act bills out with recommendation.
