Under House Bill 5976, reporters who uncover fraud, waste, abuse, or misuse of state funds could receive an award of at least 15% of any money recovered by the state if their information leads to successful action, including any related actions, or from any settlement in response to the action. The exact amount depends on the extent to which the reporter’s information contributed to the recovery. That amounts to investigative journalism with commission pay.

“Follow the money” – literally.

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The bill, introduced May 14 by Republican State Reps. Joe Aragona, Joseph Pavlov, and Tom Kunse, would allow people “employed in the news industry” – including reporters, analysts and independent journalists – to submit evidence of suspected fraud to Michigan’s Office of the Auditor General.

The legislation specifically targets fraud, abuse, waste, misappropriation and misuse involving state funds involving state officers, state employees, or any other entities receiving state funds or other financial assistance.

No reward for helping run the scam.

The proposal lays out a sliding reward system depending on the discovery method. If the case was mostly built on information already public through hearings, investigations or audits, the payout could be capped at 10%. And lawmakers added some important caveats including anyone who actually helped plan the fraud could see their reward reduced or eliminated entirely. So no, helping cook the books first and then cashing in later isn’t supposed to be part of the reward program.

Lansing’s new anti-fraud side hustle.

The bill also gives the Auditor General authority to toss out complaints deemed frivolous, delayed or filed in bad faith. Still, the proposal creates an unusual dynamic where journalists – traditionally tasked with exposing corruption in the public interest – could now have a direct financial incentive attached to the outcome.