The bill amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to enhance the responsibilities of the Secretary of State in relation to campaign finance reporting and compliance. Key provisions include the requirement for the Secretary of State to provide appropriate forms and instructions, develop a filing system for reports, and establish a process for waiving late filing fees based on good cause. The bill also clarifies procedures for declaratory rulings, including public inspection of requests and timelines for responses, as well as the handling of complaints alleging violations of the act. Additionally, it introduces new powers for the Secretary of State to petition the circuit court for injunctive relief in cases of ongoing violations and to issue subpoenas for testimony and documents related to investigations.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the responsibilities of the county clerk's office under the supervision of the Secretary of State, mandating the implementation of a filing, coding, and cross-indexing system for reports and statements. A significant change includes the modification of language regarding the waiver of late filing fees, where "Upon" has been deleted and replaced with "On," clarifying the conditions for waiving fees based on a written request demonstrating good cause. The bill also establishes stricter criteria for filing complaints, including the necessity for a signed certification of factual contentions, and outlines the consequences for filing false complaints, emphasizing that the remedies provided are the exclusive means of enforcement.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 169.215