INJUNCTIVE RELIEF; CAMPAIGN FINANCE ACT H.B. 5583:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5583 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Erin Byrnes
House Committee: Ethics and Oversight
Senate Committee: Elections and Ethics
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to allow the Secretary of State (SOS) to apply to the Circuit Court of Ingham County for injunctive relief if a complaint had been filed alleging a violation of the Act and the SOS reasonably believed that a violation had occurred or was occurring.
The Act regulates political activity and campaign finances. A person may file with the SOS a complaint that alleges a violation of the Act. Generally, the complaint must include the complainant s identifying information and certify that, to the best of the complainant s knowledge, the complaint is supported by or, upon investigation, likely supported by evidence.
The bill would allow the SOS to apply to the Circuit Court of Ingham County for injunctive relief (a court order to stop activity violating the Act) if 1) a complaint had been filed, 2) the complaint met the requirements described above, and 3) the SOS reasonably believed that a violation had occurred or was occurring.
MCL 169.215 Legislative Analyst: Abby Schneider
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would increase hearing costs in the Ingham County Circuit Court to a nominal degree.
Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco, Jr.
Michael Siracuse
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.