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HB 5192

Local government: other; use of funds to hire certain lobbyists; prohibit. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Matt Maddock

HB 5192 bans Michigan local governments from contracting with registered lobbyists to lobby, with exceptions for internal staff and contracts entered before the effective date.

bill electronically reproduced 10/30/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 5192

Summary — HB 5192 (Local government lobbyist prohibition act)

Status: Introduced (House), electronically reproduced 10/30/2025; referred to Committee on Government Operations. Companion: SB 1371.

Primary purpose

HB 5192 would prohibit Michigan local governments from entering into contracts with persons who are required to register as lobbyists under 1978 PA 472 (MCL 4.411–4.431) for the purpose of lobbying. The stated short title in the bill is the "local government lobbyist prohibition act."

Key provisions

  • Definitions: The bill adopts the statutory definitions of “lobbying” and “lobbyist” from section 5 of 1978 PA 472 (MCL 4.415).
  • Covered local governments: The prohibition applies to cities, villages, townships, counties, school districts, community college districts, intermediate school districts, port authorities, and airport authorities.
  • Prohibition: A local government shall not contract with any person who is required to register as a lobbyist under 1978 PA 472 for the purpose of lobbying.
  • Exceptions:
    • The prohibition does not apply to individuals who are employees of the local government.
    • The prohibition does not apply to contracts entered into before the effective date of this act.
  • Administrative provisions: The bill’s title indicates it would “prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local governmental officers and entities,” but the introduced text included in this summary specifies only the prohibition and exceptions; no enforcement mechanism, penalties, or administrative procedures are detailed in the provided text.

Who would be affected

  • Local governments named in the bill would be barred from hiring external, registered lobbyists to perform lobbying on their behalf after the act’s effective date.
  • Private lobbying firms and individual lobbyists who contract with local governments for advocacy work would lose that revenue source for new contracts.
  • Local governments that currently use contracted lobbyists would need to rely on in-house employees or change advocacy strategies; existing contracts in effect before the act’s effective date would be grandfathered.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Budget and staffing: Local governments may shift spending from contracted lobbyists to hiring or training in-house staff, or reduce lobbying activity.
  • Advocacy capacity: Smaller jurisdictions that cannot afford in-house staff could have diminished representation at the state level.
  • Legal and enforcement details (penalties, compliance oversight, effective date) are not specified in the excerpt and would be relevant to implementation.
  • Constitutional or statutory challenges (e.g., related to free speech or preemption) could arise, but are not addressed in the bill text provided.

Legislative timeline (selected)

  • Filed: March 14, 2025
  • Read first time / referred: April 7, 2025 (records show referrals to Transportation and later to Government Operations)
  • Bill electronically reproduced / introduced (representative listed): October 30, 2025; referred to Committee on Government Operations.

For precise legal effect, enforcement mechanisms, and the final enacted language (including the act’s effective date), consult the full bill text and subsequent legislative updates.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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