Lawmakers in Lansing want to keep bids for state government work a secret.

A bill doing just that is nearing final approval in the Michigan Legislature.

Supporters say the legislation would prevent firms from using the Freedom of Information Act to access the bid information of competitors in order to win a state contract.

Companies’ trade secrets and other financial and proprietary information would be fully exempt from disclosure.

Critics say adding more exemptions to the open-records law is unwarranted and there are already privacy protections in place for firms seeking government work.