LANSING, MI-- State Senator Ed McBroom has introduced legislation that would make the state responsible for paying the legal costs of those who prevail in regulatory lawsuits against state agencies.
McBroom says the bills would encourage state government to reach amicable agreements with residents or businesses instead of unnecessarily pursuing legal action.
The Vulcan Republican says the legislation stems in large part from the concerns of Upper Peninsula residents about permitting issues.
“Too often, instead of working through problems like most people do, state government bureaucrats go after private citizens and businesses who the government views in violation of some regulation based on their interpretation of the law or internal policy,” says McBroom. “In the end, this approach doesn’t do much other than bully people and make them spend money they don’t have or worse, it forces them to comply regardless of who is right.”
The bills are similar to legislation approved by the Senate and House last session but were vetoed by then-Governor Rick Snyder.
