State Rep. Ron Robinson last week voted to close the revolving door between legislators and utility organizations receiving state-administered grant funding.   

House Bill 6282 would prohibit former legislators from accepting employment with an organization which receives grant funding from the Utility Consumer Participation Board for at least two years after leaving their legislative office.   

“Michigan families and workers are the ones paying the utility bills that fund these grants. They deserve to know the system is working for them and representing their best interests, not creating a revolving door for former lawmakers to land their next paycheck,” said Robinson (R-Utica). “We’ve been working to close these loopholes wherever they exist. This is another commonsense safeguard that puts people over politics and helps protect the public’s trust.”

The Utility Consumer Participation Board is a state board that awards grants to organizations that represent residential utility customers in proceedings before the Michigan Public Service Commission.

The board was established to give everyday utility customers a voice before state regulators and advocate for reliable energy at reasonable rates. In 2023, however, the Democrat trifecta expanded the program, turning what had been a consumer advocacy program into a funding source for organizations advancing their political and energy priorities. Earlier this year, House Republicans advanced legislation to end the practice. The proposal faced overwhelming opposition from House Democrats.

House Republicans have also advanced legislation aimed at closing other revolving-door loopholes involving former lawmakers, including restrictions on legislators leaving office and immediately becoming paid lobbyists.

House Bill 6282 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.