CAMPAIGN STATEMENT DEADLINES S.B. 1488: FLOOR SUMMARY
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Senate Bill 1488 (as reported by the Committee of the Whole)
Sponsor: Senator Michelle A. McManus
Committee: Campaign and Election Oversight

CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to require ballot question committees to file campaign statements by January 25, April 25, July 25, and October 25 every year, instead of by the 30th day after an election and the 35th day after a ballot question qualifies for the ballot or the final deadline for qualifying.


Under the Act, a postelection campaign statement with a closing date of the 20th day following an election must be filed by the 30th day following the election.


If all liabilities of the committee are paid before the closing date and additional contributions are not expected, the postelection campaign statement may be filed at any time, but not later than 30 days, after the election.

A ballot question committee supporting or opposing a statewide ballot question must file a campaign statement within 35 days after the ballot question is qualified for the ballot with a closing date of the 28th day after the qualification of the measure. If the ballot question fails to qualify for the ballot, the committee must file the campaign statement within 35 days after the final deadline for qualifying, and the closing date is the 28th day after the deadline.


The bill would delete these provisions, and instead require a ballot question committee to file campaign statements by the 25th of January, April, July, and October every year.


Currently, a preelection campaign statement with a closing date of the 16th day before an election must be filed by the 11th day before the election. The bill would retain this requirement.


MCL 169.234 Legislative Analyst: Craig Laurie

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


Date Completed: 11-13-08 Fiscal Analyst: Joe Carrasco

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. sb1488/0708