LOCAL CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS H.B. 5074: FLOOR ANALYSIS
House Bill 5074 (as reported without amendment) Sponsor: Representative Frank M. Fitzgerald House Committee: House Oversight and Ethics Senate Committee: Government Operations
The bill would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to limit the amount of campaign contributions that could be made each election cycle to candidates for local elective offices. The bill also would require local units receiving campaign statements to make them available for public inspection.
Currently, the Act prescribes limits on the amount individuals, and PACs (political action committees, regulated in the Act as independent committees) and political party committees, can contribute to candidates for a Statewide office, and the offices of State Senate and State Representative. Candidates for statewide office can receive up to $3,400 from an individual and $34,000 from a PAC or from a political party committee; candidate for a State Senate office can receive up to $1,000 and $10,000, respectively; and candidates for State Representative can receive up to $500 and $5,000, respectively. The bill would mirror these amounts in establishing limits for local candidates, based on population, as follows:
-- In a district with a population over 250,000, a candidate could receive up to $3,400 (from individuals), and $34,000 (from PACs/parties).
-- In a district with a population over 85,000 but under 250,001, up to $1,000 (from individuals) and up to $10,000 (from PACs/parties).
-- In a district with a population of 85,000 or less, up to $500 (from individuals), and up to $5,000 (from PACs/parties).
The bill would define “local elective office” as an elective office at the local unit of government level, also including judge of the Court of Appeals, circuit court judge, Recorder’s Court judge, district court judge, probate court judge, and municipal court judge. “Local unit of government” would mean a district, authority, county, city, village, township, board, school district, intermediate school district, or community college district.
The bill provides that a local unit of government that received copies of campaign statements under the Act would have to make the statements available for public inspection and reproduction during regular business hours of the local unit. The local unit would have to make the statements available as soon as practicable after receipt, but not later than the third business day following the day they were received.
MCL 169.205 et al. Legislative Analyst: G. Towne
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
Date Completed: 12-13-95 Fiscal Analyst: B. Bowerman
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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.