CASINOS: POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS - S.B. 1410: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 1410 (as introduced 9-28-00)
Sponsor: Senator Bill Schuette
Committee: Gaming and Casino Oversight
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act to limit a provision that allows contributions to a ballot question committee by a person who holds a casino license or a supplier's license. (Under the bill, these contributions would be allowed only if a ballot question pertained to a licensee's business interests.) The bill also would expand the definition of "committee".
"Committee" Definition
Under the Act, except as provided for a ballot question committee, "committee" means a candidate committee, a political party committee, or an independent committee as those terms are defined in the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCL 169.203, 169.211, and 169.208, respectively), or a committee organized by a legislative caucus of a chamber of the Legislature. The bill would add to that list a political committee and any other committee defined and organized pursuant to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.
Exception to Contribution Restrictions
Under the Gaming Control and Revenue Act, a licensee or person who has an interest in a licensee or casino enterprise, or the spouse, parent, child, or spouse of a child of a licensee or person who has an interest in a licensee or casino enterprise, may not make a contribution to a candidate or a committee during the following periods:
-- While a casino licensee or development agreement is being considered by a city or by the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
-- While the licensee holds a license.
-- The three years following the final expiration or termination of the licensee's license.
-- Either on or after the period beginning on the Act's effective date (July 17, 1997) or the period beginning one year before applying for a license, whichever is shorter.
The Act also prohibits a licensee or person who has an interest in a licensee or casino enterprise, or the spouse, parent, child, or spouse of a child of a licensee or such a person, from contributing to a candidate or committee through a legal entity that is established, directed, or controlled by a licensee or person who has an interest in a licensee or casino enterprise, or the spouse, parent, child, or spouse of a child of a licensee or such a person, during the periods outlined above.
The Act provides that these prohibitions do not apply to a ballot question committee as that term is defined in Section 2 of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act (MCL 169.202). (That section defines "ballot question committee" as a committee that acts in support of, or in opposition to, the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot question but that does not receive contributions, or make expenditures or contributions, to influence or attempt to influence voters regarding the nomination or election of a candidate.)
Under the bill, the exception for contributions to a ballot question committee would apply only if the committee supported or opposed the qualification, passage, or defeat of a ballot question that was directly related to the business interests of the licensee or person who had an interest in a licensee or casino enterprise.
MCL 432.207b - Legislative Analyst: P. Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
- Fiscal Analyst: D. ZinS9900\s1410sa
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.