*Lansing, MI* — Governor Lochlan Ashford today announced the introduction of the **Michigan Public Trust and Decision Integrity Act**, legislation aimed at strengthening public confidence in state and local government through clearer transparency and disclosure standards. Introduced by Governor Ashford in his role as a voting member of the Michigan State Legislature, the bill establishes disclosure requirements, cooling-off safeguards, and a non-punitive advisory process to address situations that may create the appearance of preferential treatment, even where no law has been violated. “Strong institutions don’t just avoid corruption — they avoid unnecessary risk to credibility,” Governor Ashford said. “This legislation puts common-sense guardrails in place so public decisions are judged on merit, not suspicion.” The proposal is informed in part by a draft framework developed by the National Responsibility Monitor (NRM), whose recent work highlighted how gaps between legality and public perception can undermine trust in government. Governor Ashford credited NRM for helping frame the issue as an institutional challenge rather than an individual one. “I appreciate the National Responsibility Monitor for approaching this responsibly and constructively,” Ashford said. “Their work helped inform a Michigan-specific solution focused on transparency, prevention, and fairness.” Key provisions include disclosure requirements related to post-decision employment of immediate family members, a twelve-month cooling-off advisory period following high-discretion actions, and authority for the Michigan State Ethics Commission to issue non-binding advisory findings. The bill includes safe harbor protections for competitively hired, publicly disclosed employment. The legislation applies prospectively and carries no criminal penalties. “This bill is about setting clear expectations for the future,” Ashford said. “When people trust the process, government works better.” ###