2017 Senate Bill 335 / Public Act 119

Revise campaign finance law to reflect Citizens United ruling

Introduced in the Senate

April 27, 2017

Introduced by Sen. David Robertson (R-14)

To revise Michigan campaign finance law provisions that violate the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizens United case. The decision limited the power of congress and state legislatures to restrict election-related political speech by corporations, under a definition that includes non-profit groups motivated by ideological or political concerns.<br> The bill would authorize “independent expenditure committees” (dubbed "super-PACs") that could advocate for a candidate or ballot initiative but not contribute to or coordinate with a candidate. Candidates could solicit money for those committees, however. Committees would be subject to campaign finance filings but would not have to disclose the identity of individuals who give to a nonprofit corporation that itself contributes to the Super-Pac, and there would be no cap on spending or contributions, which could come from corporations and unions.

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Government Reform

May 9, 2017

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 6, 2017

Amendment offered

To remove a provision that would give the bill effect 90 days after it is enacted.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Sept. 14, 2017

Amendment offered by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Concurrent Resolution 22, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that measure does also. SCR 22 would urge congress to enact measures that impose spending caps and donor disclosure requirements on "Super-Pacs," and adopt other measures that seek to get around the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizens United case.

The amendment failed 12 to 23 (details)

Passed in the Senate 23 to 12 (details)

Received in the House

Sept. 14, 2017

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

Sept. 19, 2017

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Amendment offered by Rep. Jon Hoadley (D-60)

To prohibit companies that receive benefits from a particular state <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2017-SB-243">corporate welfare program </a> enacted earlier in 2017 from contributing to one of the "super-PACs" the bill would authorize.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Vanessa Guerra (D-95)

To require the Secretary of State to investigate when "super-PAC" contributions are made by a person who "engages an attorney, vendor, or other agent that is also or has been engaged by that candidate or committee".

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Jeremy Moss (D-35)

To tie-bar the bill to a package of bills that would extend the Freedom of Information Act's disclosure requirements to the legislature and more, meaning this bill cannot become law unless those ones did also. The bills are House Bills 4148 to 4157.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Adam Zemke (D-55)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4345, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4345 would require candidates for many offices to file extensive and detailed disclosures about their personal and family finances.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D-53)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4365, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4365 would mandate that as a condition of being placed on the ballot in Michigan, candidates for President of the United States must submit their tax returns from the past five years to the Michigan Secretary of State, who would have to post them online.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Darrin Camilleri (D-23)

To adopt a substitute that would limit "super-PAC" contributions to $1.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Adam Zemke (D-55)

The substitute failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 62 to 45 (details)

To revise Michigan campaign finance law provisions that violate the holding of the U.S. Supreme Court in the Citizens United case. The decision limited the power of congress and state legislatures to restrict election-related political speech by corporations, under a definition that includes non-profit groups motivated by ideological or political concerns.<br> The bill would authorize “independent expenditure committees” (dubbed "super-PACs") that could advocate for a candidate or ballot initiative but not contribute to or coordinate with a candidate. Candidates could solicit money for those committees, however. Committees would be subject to campaign finance filings but would not have to disclose the identity of individuals who give to a nonprofit corporation that itself contributes to the Super-Pac, and there would be no cap on spending or contributions, which could come from corporations and unions.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Sept. 20, 2017