CAMPAIGN FINANCE: OFFICE FACILITY - H.B. 4606 (H-1): FLOOR ANALYSIS

sans-serif">House Bill 4606 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor: Representative James Koetje

House Committee: Government Operations

Senate Committee: Government Operations

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to provide that the term “expenditure” would not include an expenditure by a state central committee of a political party, or a person controlled by a committee or party, for the construction, purchase, or renovation of one or more office facilities in Ingham County, if the facility were not constructed, purchased, or renovated for the purpose of influencing the election of a candidate in a particular election.

Items excluded from the definition of “expenditure” under the bill would include expenditures approved in certain Federal Election Commission advisory opinions (cited in the bill) as allowable expenditures under the Federal Election Campaign Act and regulations promulgated under that Act, regardless of whether those advisory opinions had been superseded. (The advisory opinions state that the Election Campaign Act and the Federal Election Commission regulations specifically address building fund donations and clearly permit them; that a gift designated to defray the cost incurred for construction or purchase of an office facility is not considered a contribution or expenditure; and that state and national party committees may accept corporate and labor union donations to office building funds.)

The Michigan Campaign Finance Act regulates certain contributions and expenditures regarding the nomination and election of candidates for office, and the passage or defeat of ballot questions. The Act defines “expenditure” for this purpose, and excludes specific expenditures from the definition.

MCL 169.206 - Legislative Analyst: George Towne

FISCAL IMPACT

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

Date Completed: 6-26-03 - Fiscal Analyst: Bill BowermanFloor\hb4606 - Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa

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.