The bill amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by adding a new section, Sec. 27, which establishes that all independent committees associated with a candidate for the House of Representatives or the Senate are to be treated as a single independent committee for the purpose of campaign finance limitations. This provision clarifies that an individual does not establish, finance, maintain, or control a committee simply by making a contribution to it. Additionally, the new section specifies that it does not apply to house political party caucus committees and senate political party caucus committees.

Furthermore, the bill introduces penalties for knowingly violating this section, categorizing such violations as felonies. Individuals found guilty may face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, while non-individual offenders could incur fines of up to $10,000. This legislative change aims to enhance the regulation of campaign finance and ensure greater accountability among political candidates and their associated committees.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 169.201, 169.282