LATE FILING FEES
Public Act 75 of 2000
Sponsor: Rep. Andrew Richner
Second Analysis (4-3-00)
House Committee: Constitutional Law and
Ethics
Senate Committee: Government Operations
THE APPARENT PROBLEM:
Public apathy over the election process sometimes is blamed on the public's scepticism over the lack of meaningful campaign finance reform. As part of a package of legislation to amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, Public Act 238 of 1999 (enrolled House Bill 5057) increased the amount of daily and maximum fines for late filing fees for committees who raise more than $10,000 in a two-year period (from $25 to $50 a day, with a maximum of $1,000 instead of $500). Part of this package also deals with who would have to pay late filing fees and from what source.
THE CONTENT OF THE BILLS:
The bill would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to require candidates to pay late filing fees and to prohibit them from paying late filing fees from their committee funds.
MCL 169.235
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
According to the House Fiscal Agency, the bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on the state. The amount of the fines collected, which would go to the state general fund, would depend on the number of candidates assessed for late fees. (4-3-00) ARGUMENTS:
For:
By requiring candidates to pay late filing fees, and by prohibiting them from using their committee funds to pay late filing fees, the bill should serve as a strong incentive for candidates to file their campaign reports on time. Both the public at large and the candidate's political opponents would benefit from timely access to such reports.
Analyst: S. Ekstrom