Signed by Governor Rick Snyder

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that amends campaign finance regulations.

Highlights:

• Exempts money spent on a communication or advertisement from the definition of “expenditure,” if the communication or advertisement does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate by the use of certain language including, but not limited to, “vote for,” “elect,” or “vote against” (Sec. 6).

• Requires a communication that references a clearly identified candidate, and is made by radio, television, mass mailing, or prerecorded telephone message within 60 days of a general election or within 30 days of a primary election, to include certain information including, but not limited to, the following pieces of information (Sec. 47):
• The name and address of the person paying for the communication; 
• A disclaimer stating the communication is not authorized by the candidate, if it is an independent expenditure not authorized in writing by the candidate’s committee; and
• A disclaimer stating the communication is authorized by the candidate, if it is not an independent expenditure but is paid for by an individual other than the candidate.

• Increases the amount of money an individual can contribute to a candidate running in a state election by the following amounts (Sec. 52):
• From $3,400 to $6,800 for a candidate for a state office other than state legislator;
• From $1,000 to $2,000 for a candidate for state senator; and
• From $500 to $1,000 for a candidate for state representative.

• Increases the amount of money an individual can contribute to a candidate running in a local election by the following amounts (Sec. 52):
• From $3,400 to $6,800 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population of more than 250,000;
• From $1,000 to $2,000 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population between 85,000 and 250,000; and
• From $500 to $1,000 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population of 85,000 or less.

• Increases the amount an individual can contribute to a house or senate political party caucus committee from $20,000 to $40,000 annually (Sec. 52).

• Increases the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate committee from $3,400 to $6,800 in a single election cycle (Sec. 69).

• Requires the Secretary of State to adjust contribution limits every 4 years using the Consumer Price Index, effective January 1, 2019 (Sec. 46).

• Requires a committee supporting or opposing a candidate to file campaign statements in a non-election year for the candidate by July 25 and October 25 (Sec. 33).

• Increases the amount of food and beverage donations that a candidate can accept from an individual without constituting a contribution from a value of $100 to $1,000 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends campaign finance regulations.

Highlights:

• Exempts money spent on a communication or advertisement from the definition of “expenditure,” if the communication or advertisement does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate by the use of certain language including, but not limited to, “vote for,” “elect,” or “vote against” (Sec. 6).

• Requires a communication that references a clearly identified candidate, and is made by radio, television, mass mailing, or prerecorded telephone message within 60 days of a general election or within 30 days of a primary election, to include certain information including, but not limited to, the following pieces of information (Sec. 47):
• The name and address of the person paying for the communication; 
• A disclaimer stating the communication is not authorized by the candidate, if it is an independent expenditure not authorized in writing by the candidate’s committee; and
• A disclaimer stating the communication is authorized by the candidate, if it is not an independent expenditure but is paid for by an individual other than the candidate.

• Increases the amount of money an individual can contribute to a candidate running in a state election by the following amounts (Sec. 52):
• From $3,400 to $6,800 for a candidate for a state office other than state legislator;
• From $1,000 to $2,000 for a candidate for state senator; and
• From $500 to $1,000 for a candidate for state representative.

• Increases the amount of money an individual can contribute to a candidate running in a local election by the following amounts (Sec. 52):
• From $3,400 to $6,800 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population of more than 250,000;
• From $1,000 to $2,000 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population between 85,000 and 250,000; and
• From $500 to $1,000 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population of 85,000 or less.

• Increases the amount an individual can contribute to a house or senate political party caucus committee from $20,000 to $40,000 annually (Sec. 52).

• Increases the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate committee from $3,400 to $6,800 in a single election cycle (Sec. 69).

• Requires the Secretary of State to adjust contribution limits every 4 years using the Consumer Price Index, effective January 1, 2019 (Sec. 46).

• Requires a committee supporting or opposing a candidate to file campaign statements in a non-election year for the candidate by July 25 and October 25 (Sec. 33).

• Increases the amount of food and beverage donations that a candidate can accept from an individual without constituting a contribution from a value of $100 to $1,000 (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends campaign finance regulations.

Highlights:

• Exempts money spent on a communication or advertisement from the definition of “expenditure,” if the communication or advertisement does not expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate by the use of certain language including, but not limited to, “vote for,” “elect,” or “vote against” (Sec. 6).

• Increases the amount of money an individual can contribute to a candidate running in a state election by the following amounts (Sec. 52):
• From $3,400 to $6,800 for a candidate for a state office other than state legislator;
• From $1,000 to $2,000 for a candidate for state senator; and
• From $500 to $1,000 for a candidate for state representative.

• Increases the amount of money an individual can contribute to a candidate running in a local election by the following amounts (Sec. 52):
• From $3,400 to $6,800 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population of more than 250,000;
• From $1,000 to $2,000 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population between 85,000 and 250,000; and
• From $500 to $1,000 if the district the candidate is seeking office in has a population of 85,000 or less.

• Increases the amount an individual can contribute to a house or senate political party caucus committee from $20,000 to $40,000 annually (Sec. 52).

• Increases the amount an individual can contribute to a candidate committee from $3,400 to $6,800 in a single election cycle (Sec. 69).

• Requires the Secretary of State to adjust contribution limits every 4 years using the Consumer Price Index, effective January 1, 2019 (Sec. 46).

• Requires a committee supporting or opposing a candidate to file campaign statements in a non-election year for the candidate by July 25 and October 25 (Sec. 33).

• Increases the amount of food and beverage donations that a candidate can accept from an individual without constituting a contribution from a value of $100 to $1,000 (Sec. 4).

• Repeals the prohibition on a house or senate political party caucus committee performing the following actions on behalf of an opposed candidate in a primary election (Sec. 52):
• Making a contribution to the candidate during the primary election;
• Making an expenditure on behalf of the candidate during the primary election; and
• Making a payment on the debt the candidate incurred during the primary election.

Full Bill Text