LANSING, MI (WLNS) – There are estimates that the price tag for the presidential ballot recount in Michigan could cost taxpayers $14 million.

Green Party candidate Jill Stein, who sued to have the recount in Michigan, is only legally obligated to pay $973,250.

Now the existing state law that requires taxpayers to pick up the difference on the final tab could be changing.

State Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons has introduced legislation that would require a candidate who lost an election by a larger than five percent margin of separation from the winner to pay the entire cost of a recount.

Rep. Lyons says “Recounts play an important role in our election process, but when a candidate files for a recount – knowing it would be next to impossible for the results of the election to change – they should pay the bill.”

The proposed bill, which was approved today by the House Committee on Elections, would still ensure the right for a candidate to request a recount.