HB 5361 Summary

• Establishes comprehensive ethics standards for Michigan executive branch officials and employees, replacing two prior ethics laws.

• Creates a 9-member State Board of Ethics appointed by the governor with authority to investigate violations, issue advisory opinions, hold public hearings, and recommend disciplinary action.

• Prohibits executive officials and employees from using public position for personal gain, accepting gifts over specified thresholds, engaging in conflicts of interest, and misusing confidential information.

• Requires public disclosure of conflicts through transactional disclosure statements and establishes procedures for abstaining from matters involving personal or financial interests, with limited exceptions for part-time officials.

• Imposes civil fines up to $1,000 per violation, allows state lawsuits for damages, and protects whistleblowers reporting ethics violations from retaliation.