HB 4753 Summary

• Enacts the "Paul Harvey Transparency Act" to implement Michigan Constitution Article IX, Section 29, requiring the state to finance costs of mandated local government activities and services.

• Establishes a fiscal note process requiring fiscal agencies to estimate costs of new or increased local government requirements before legislation reaches third reading, and report findings to legislative leadership and appropriations committees.

• Prohibits local units of government from being obligated to comply with new state-mandated activities or services unless the state has prepared a fiscal note, appropriated sufficient funds, or a court determines the legislation imposes no new mandate.

• Bars the state from imposing penalties, withholding funds, or other sanctions on local units for non-compliance with state requirements if the state failed to follow the fiscal note process or failed to timely disburse identified costs.

• Requires the Department of Treasury to develop a standard accounting system by October 1, 2016, to track compliance costs and state financing of both new mandates and existing activities, and repeals 1979 PA 101.