INITIATIVE PETITIONS                                                                         S.B. 280 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 280 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Ruth A. Johnson

Committee:  Elections

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Election Law to do the following:

-- Require the Board of State Canvassers to complete the canvass of an initiative petition within 100 days after the petition was filed with the SOS.

-- Require an initiative petition to be immediately forwarded to the Legislature for consideration if it were found to be sufficient by the Board.

-- Require the Board to complete the canvass of an imitative petition no later than 100 days before a general November election, if that petition were filed with SOS at least 160 days before that general election.

Currently, initiative petitions must be filed with the SOS at least 160 days before the election at which the proposed law would appear on the ballot if the Legislature rejects or fails to enact the proposed law. Generally, unless otherwise provided, the Board of State Canvassers must make an official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of an initiative petition no later than 100 days before the election at which the proposal is to be submitted.

Under the bill, except as otherwise provided, the Board of State Canvassers would have to complete the canvass of an initiative petition within 100 days after the petition was filed with the SOS. If the Board declared that an initiative petition was sufficient, the initiative petition would have to be immediately forwarded to the Legislature for consideration. If an initiative petition were filed with the SOS at least 160 days before a general November election, the Board would have to complete the canvass of the initiative petition no later than 100 days before that general November election.

MCL 168.471 & 168.477                                               Legislative Analyst:  Dana Adams

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed:  9-7-21                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

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.