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HB 5300

Public employees and officers: other; federal elected officials accountability act; create. Creates new act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Carra and 4 co-sponsors

House Bill 5300 boosts accountability for Michigan's federal officials by tracking spending, requiring voting disclosures, and imposing surcharges for deficit contributions.

bill electronically reproduced 11/13/2025
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5300

Summary of House Bill 5300: Federal Elected Officials Accountability Act

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: HB 5300
- Title: Public employees and officers: other; federal elected officials accountability act; create.
- Introduced: November 13, 2025
- Status: Bill electronically reproduced on November 13, 2025
- Referred to: Committee on Government Operations

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 5300 aims to enhance accountability among federal elected officials in Michigan by establishing a framework for tracking federal spending and requiring transparency in how these officials vote on spending bills. The bill seeks to create a Federal Elected Official Accountability Office within the state treasury to oversee these activities.

Key Provisions

  1. Creation of the Federal Elected Official Accountability Office:

    • This office will track federal spending bills, record how federal elected officials vote on these bills, and provide annual reports on federal spending.

  2. Annual Federal Spending Disclosure Reports:

    • Federal elected officials must file annual spending disclosure forms detailing their votes on federal spending bills and the amounts allocated or spent.

  3. Tracking and Reporting:

    • The office will maintain lists of spending bills for the most recent federal fiscal year and the preceding year, including details on allocations and actual spending.
    • It will determine if the federal government engaged in deficit spending and report findings by December 1 each year.

  4. Surcharge on Elected Officials:

    • If deficit spending is identified, a surcharge of 75% of the federal elected official's taxable income will be levied for two consecutive years on those who voted in favor of spending bills that contributed to the deficit.

  5. Public Accessibility:

    • All reports, forms, and lists created by the office will be made publicly available on the department's website to ensure transparency.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Federal Elected Officials: Members of the U.S. Congress representing Michigan will be directly impacted, as they will be required to disclose their voting records and face potential financial penalties.
  • State Treasury Department: The department will be responsible for appointing the office director and managing the operations of the new office.
  • General Public: Increased transparency will allow citizens to better understand federal spending and the accountability of their elected representatives.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Committee on Government Operations on November 13, 2025.
  • The office is expected to begin operations following the bill's passage, with annual reporting requirements starting from the first full fiscal year after enactment.

Conclusion

House Bill 5300 represents a significant step toward increasing accountability for federal elected officials in Michigan by mandating transparency in federal spending and voting practices. By creating a dedicated office to oversee these activities, the bill aims to foster greater public trust in government operations and spending decisions.

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

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