2001 Senate Bill 759 / Public Act 250

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 18, 2001

Introduced by Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom (R-17)

To prohibit the use of public resources by or on behalf of a public body for advocacy in political campaigns, including ballot issues, and prohibit a public body from engaging in express political advocacy by resolution or other means. Also, to prohibit a non-profit group from using dues, fees, or other payments paid by a public body with tax-generated revenue to influence an election. Violations would be punishable by up to one year in jail. A citizen of the jurisdiction could bring an action for a declaratory judgment or injunctive relief, and such an action would have to be expedited by the courts.

Referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Reform

Nov. 8, 2001

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute incorporates changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation. These changes do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Gary Peters (D-14)

To prohibit the expenditure of public funds to publicize on radio and TV a a person who is a potential candidate for statewide office.

The amendment failed 14 to 21 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. John Cherry (D-28)

To require corporations to secure the permission of shareholders before using any corporation money to influence the outcome of an election.

The amendment failed 14 to 21 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Gary Peters (D-14)

To remove from the acts prohibited by the bill spending money to influence the outcome of a ballot issue.

The amendment failed 14 to 21 (details)

Passed in the Senate 21 to 14 (details)

To prohibit the use of public resources by or on behalf of a public body for advocacy in political campaigns, including ballot issues, and prohibit a public body from engaging in express political advocacy by resolution or other means. Also, to prohibit a non-profit group from using dues, fees, or other payments paid by a public body with tax-generated revenue to influence an election. Violations would be punishable by up to one year in jail. A citizen of the jurisdiction could bring an action for a declaratory judgment or injunctive relief, and such an action would have to be expedited by the courts. Also, campaign contributions would be prohibited from an out-of-state organization (generally a union) whose funds are raised on an automatic basis, including but not limited to a payroll deduction plan, unless individuals making the automatic contributions affirmatively consent to do so annually.

Received in the House

Nov. 8, 2001

Dec. 12, 2001

Substitute offered by Rep. Andrew Richner (R-1)

To replace the previous version of the bill with a version with one which strips out the prohibition on non-profit groups from using dues, fees, or other payments paid by a public body with tax-generated revenue to influence an election. Instead, the substitute would limit the practice of "bundling" campaign contributions in elections for statewide offices. This refers to groups which aggregate contributions from many donors and forward them to a candidate. The amount that these groups could forward under the bill would be limited to the same as allowed for large political action committees (PACs), which is $34,000 per statewide candidate per election.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. John Stewart (R-20)

To exempt ballot measures from the requirement that campaign contributions from an out-of-state organization (generally a union) whose funds are raised on an automatic basis (such as a payroll deduction plan) include verification that the individuals making the automatic contributions affirmatively consent to do so annually.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Nancy Quarles (D-36)

To prohibit a publicly held corporation from using company funds to influence an election unless shareholders agree.

The amendment failed 45 to 51 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. A.T. Frank (D-96)

To prohibit a corporation which receives assistance from the state or has state contracts from expending funds to influence an election, or making political contributions.

The amendment failed 47 to 50 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Nancy Quarles (D-36)

To reverse a provision in which an individual contribution included in a “bundled” contribution is counted against the contribution limits of both the bundling committee and the individual making the contribution.

The amendment failed 50 to 54 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Nancy Quarles (D-36)

To reverse a provision in which an individual contribution included in a “bundled” contribution is counted against the contribution limits of both the bundling committee and the individual making the contribution. The amendment would require disclosure by the individual and the bundling committee, however.

The amendment failed 41 to 45 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Julie Dennis (D-92)

To prohibit the expenditure of public funds to place public service ads on radio and TV featuring a state official who is a potential candidate for office.

The amendment failed 49 to 53 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. David Woodward (D-34)

To strike out a requirement that campaign contributions from an out-of-state organization (generally a union) whose funds are raised on an automatic basis (such as a payroll deduction plan) include verification that the individuals making the automatic contributions affirmatively consent to do so annually.

The amendment failed 48 to 51 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. Gilda Jacobs (D-35)

To prohibit any individual from making more than $50,000 in total aggregate political contributions in a calendar year to all state political parties, committees, and candidates.

The amendment failed 48 to 56 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. A.T. Frank (D-96)

To prohibit an insurance company from expending funds to influence an election, or making political contributions.

The amendment failed 44 to 50 (details)

Amendment offered by Rep. David Woodward (D-34)

To establish public financing for the election campaigns of political candidates.

The amendment failed 46 to 52 (details)

Passed in the House 56 to 48 (details)

To limit the practice of "bundling" campaign contributions in elections for statewide offices, which includes governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, Supreme Court justice, State Board of Education member, University of Michigan regent, Michigan State University trustee, or Wayne State University governor. This refers to groups which aggregate contributions from many donors and forward them to a candidate. The amount that these groups could forward under the bill would be limited to the same as allowed for large political action committees (PACs), which is $34,000 per candidate per election. Additionally, campaign contributions to a candidate, but not to a ballot measure, would be prohibited from an out-of-state organization (generally a union) whose funds are raised on an automatic basis, including but not limited to a payroll deduction plan, unless individuals making the automatic contributions affirmatively consent to do so annually.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 12, 2001

Dec. 13, 2001

Passed in the Senate 21 to 13 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Received in the House

Dec. 13, 2001

Signed by Gov. John Engler

Dec. 31, 2001