State Rep. Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township) supported a bipartisan effort to make Michigan’s state grant process more transparent and accessible to the public.

House Bill 4420, which passed the House on Wednesday, would require all proposed enhancement grant funding, commonly referred to as earmarks, to be publicly listed on the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget’s website. The bill would ensure residents can easily see where state funds are going, who is requesting them, and what purpose they serve.

“Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent,” said Wozniak. “As Legislators, we should focus on ensuring that this process is easily accessible to the people we serve.”

Currently, information about grant funding is often buried in budget documents or not readily available to the public. HB 4420 would establish a permanent system for disclosure, applying to both House and Senate earmarks.

“Transparency shouldn’t depend on who’s in charge. It should be the standard at all times,” said Wozniak. “By putting this into law, we’re making sure future legislatures can’t walk it back behind closed doors.”

The bill now advances to the Senate for further consideration.