CONSENT FOR POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION                                                         S.B. 283:

                                                                                                      FLOOR SUMMARY

Senate Bill 283 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Senator Arlan Meekhof

Committee:  Local Government and Elections

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to eliminate a requirement that an individual consent annually to a political contribution made on an automatic basis, such as through a payroll deduction.

Under the Act, a corporation organized on a for-profit or nonprofit basis, a joint stock company, a domestic dependent sovereign, or a labor organization may make an expenditure for the establishment and administration and solicitation of contributions to a separate segregated fund to be used for political purposes.

Contributions for a separate segregated fund may be solicited from certain people associated with the listed entities, such as, stockholders, members, and employees, or their spouses.  As a rule, the Act prohibits a corporation, joint stock company, labor organization, or domestic dependent sovereign from soliciting or obtaining contributions from an individual on an automatic or passive basis, including a payroll deduction plan.  The listed entities may, however, solicit or obtain contributions on an automatic basis, including a payroll deduction plan, if the individual contributing to the fund affirmatively consents to the contribution at least once every calendar year.

The bill would eliminate the requirement that an individual consent to a contribution on an annual basis, instead requiring him or her to consent only once.

MCL 169.255                                                                Legislative Analyst:  Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  5-16-13                                                   Fiscal Analyst:  Dan O'Connor

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.