LANSING (WWJ) -- A bipartisan committee has been created in the Michigan House of Representatives in an effort to make the state's government more transparent.
The Michigan House Democrats introduced the House Select Committee on Ethics through a press release Wednesday. The committee will be tasked with investigating allegations of wrongdoing by current or former representatives.
According to the release, investigations would be conducted publicly, and the committee would be able to subpoena witnesses and examine private records.
While not taking the place of criminal investigations, officials said that the committee can still reveal unethical behavior that doesn't rise to that level of criminality, but still breaches public trust.
The committee would then report its findings and any recommendations to the House.
The committee will be composed of three Republican and three Democratic lawmakers
“Michigan ranks dead last for transparent government,'' said state Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids). “At a time when government trust is also at an all-time low, that’s simply unacceptable. Restoring trust requires that we, as a body, take the necessary steps to facilitate that trust. Ethics committees in nearly every other state scrutinize legislators for misconduct while in office: Michigan should follow suit.”
Michigan is one of the only two states that doesn't require state officials to disclose personal finances and potential conflict of interest, said state officials.
The House currently has the authority to form investigative committees -- other than through the resolution process -- but can only do so at the direction and discretion of the Speaker of the House.