New Bill Would Create Michigan False Claims Act (H.B. 4773)

On May 16, 2007, a new bill was introduced in the Michigan House (H.B. 4773), which would create the Michigan False Claims Act. On first read, it appears that the drafters of H.B. 4773 borrowed heavily from the Federal False Claims Act (31 USC 3729, et seq).

H.B. 4773 was likely introduced in response to passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, which President Bush signed into law on February 8, 2006. The DRA includes an incentive for states to enact mini-False Claims Act statutes. Under the incentive, states with a false claims statute may receive an additional 10% of any funds recovered under the statute.

H.B. 4773 can be read here.

For more information about the Deficit Reduction Act, and the incentive for states to enact False Claims Acts, read here.

Update: H.B. 4733 was referred to second reading on February 12, 2008. Legislative Analysis of the Bill can found found here.