The bill amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by updating various procedural requirements and clarifying the roles of the Secretary of State and county clerks in managing campaign finance filings. Key changes include the replacement of gender-specific language with more inclusive terms, such as changing "his or her" to "the secretary of state's" and "a person" to "an individual." The bill also introduces a more structured process for waiving late filing fees based on good cause, which includes specific circumstances that qualify for such waivers, and establishes clearer timelines for the Secretary of State to respond to declaratory ruling requests and complaints.

Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for handling complaints about violations of the act, including the requirement for the Secretary of State to notify the accused party and provide them with the opportunity to respond. It specifies the timeline for these actions and the consequences for filing false complaints. The bill also emphasizes that the remedies provided are the exclusive means of enforcement, limiting private rights of action and ensuring that only the Attorney General can enforce criminal penalties following specific referrals. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance practices in Michigan.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 169.215