September 30, 2015, Introduced by Senators HERTEL, BIEDA and KNEZEK and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled
"Michigan election law,"
(MCL 168.1 to 168.992) by adding sections 484a and 956a.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 484a. (1) An individual who circulates or who obtains
signatures on a ballot question petition proposing a constitutional
amendment, initiation of legislation, or referendum of legislation
and who intentionally makes a false statement or misrepresentation
concerning the contents, purport, or effect of the ballot question
petition to any of the following individuals is subject to the
penalty provided in subsection (4):
(a) An individual who signs the ballot question petition.
(b) An individual who desires to sign the ballot question
petition.
(c) An individual who is requested to sign the ballot question
petition.
(d) An individual who makes inquiries with reference to the
ballot question petition.
(e) An individual to whom the ballot question petition is
presented for signature.
(2) An individual who circulates or who obtains signatures on
a ballot question petition proposing a constitutional amendment,
initiation of legislation, or referendum of legislation shall not
knowingly and willfully circulate, publish, or exhibit a false
statement or misrepresentation concerning the contents, purport, or
effect of the constitutional amendment, initiative, or referendum
for the purpose of obtaining an individual's signature on the
ballot question petition or for the purpose of persuading or
influencing an individual to sign the ballot question petition.
(3) An individual who circulates or who obtains signatures on
a ballot question petition proposing a constitutional amendment,
initiation of legislation, or referendum of legislation shall not
intentionally make a false, deceptive, or misleading statement or
representation in response to an elector's inquiry as to whether he
or she is a paid signature gatherer or a volunteer signature
gatherer.
(4) An individual who violates this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
Sec. 956a. (1) An individual who circulates or who obtains
signatures on a recall petition and who intentionally makes a false
statement or misrepresentation concerning the contents, purport, or
effect of the recall petition to any of the following individuals
is subject to the penalty provided in subsection (4):
(a) An individual who signs the recall petition.
(b) An individual who desires to sign the recall petition.
(c) An individual who is requested to sign the recall
petition.
(d) An individual who makes inquiries with reference to the
recall petition.
(e) An individual to whom the recall petition is presented for
signature.
(2) An individual who circulates or who obtains signatures on
a recall petition shall not knowingly and willfully circulate,
publish, or exhibit a false statement or misrepresentation
concerning the contents, purport, or effect of the recall for the
purpose of obtaining an individual's signature on the recall
petition or for the purpose of persuading or influencing an
individual to sign the recall petition.
(3) An individual who circulates or who obtains signatures on
a recall petition shall not intentionally make a false, deceptive,
or misleading statement or representation in response to an
elector's inquiry as to whether he or she is a paid signature
gatherer or a volunteer signature gatherer.
(4) An individual who violates this section is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
Enacting section 1. This amendatory act takes effect 90 days
after the date it is enacted into law.