POLITICAL BINGO                                                                H.B. 4729 (H-3): FLOOR ANALYSIS

House Bill 4729 (Substitute H-3 as reported with amendment Sponsor: Representative Dan Gustafson

House Committee: House Oversight and Ethics Senate Committee: Government Operations

CONTENT

The bill would amend Section 19 of the Bingo Act to specify that the provisions of Section 19 would in no way limit the application of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to fund-raising events conducted by or for the benefit of a committee (that received contributions or made expenditures for the purpose of influencing or attempting to influence voters for or against a candidate for election or a ballot question), including but not limited to the provisions of the Campaign Finance Act that require the use of a written instrument (including the names of the payor and the payee) for a contribution that exceeds $20 or an expenditure that exceeds $50 and require a person who contributes more than $20 in a calendar year to a committee to furnish the recipient with his or her name, address, and total amount contributed.

Currently, Section 19 of the Bingo Act states that a person who conducts or participates in bingo, a millionaire party, or charity game under the provisions of the Act is not subject to any other law that provides a penalty or disability on a person who conducts these games.

MCL 432.119                                                                                     Legislative Analyst: G. Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

Public Act 118 of 1994 amended the Bingo Act to specify that the term "qualified organization" does not include a committee as defined by and organized under the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. Public Act 118 has not been implemented, however, due to pending litigation. If Public Act 118 is not implemented, this bill would have a minimal impact on workload for the Department of State due to increased reports filed under the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.

Date Completed: 12-12-95                                                                 Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman

floor\hb4729

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.