Bill > HB4271

This bill amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by adding a new section that addresses independent committees established by state legislative candidates. Specifically, the bill stipulates that if a candidate for or member of the Michigan House of Representatives or Senate creates, finances, maintains, or controls multiple independent committees, those committees will be treated as a single independent committee for the purpose of campaign finance limitations. The bill clarifies that simply making a contribution to a committee does not constitute establishing, financing, maintaining, or controlling it, and the provision does not apply to house or senate political party caucus committees. Furthermore, the bill establishes criminal penalties for knowingly violating this provision, with individuals facing potential imprisonment up to 3 years and/or a fine up to $5,000, while non-individual entities could be fined up to $10,000. The intent appears to be preventing candidates from circumventing campaign finance contribution limits by creating multiple nominally separate independent committees.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-4271