MI HB5926

Expands the definition of "gift" to include payments aiding defense of partisan legislative employees against legal actions, in addition to legislative and executive branch officials.

Creates new definition of "partisan legislative employee" as individuals employed in partisan positions by the Michigan Senate or House of Representatives, subject to the same lobbying disclosure requirements as public officials.

Requires lobbyists and lobbyist agents to file reports on January 31 (covering prior calendar year) and August 31 (covering January 1 through July 31) with detailed expenditure information organized by category including food/beverage, advertising, and other lobbying costs.

Mandates the Secretary of State establish a searchable public database on the internet containing all reported lobbying expenditures related to food/beverage, other expenditures, and travel/lodging expenses, accessible by name or expenditure amount.

Requires the Secretary of State to publish summaries of lobbyist and lobbyist agent statements and reports twice yearly and annually, with wide public dissemination.