The bill amends the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by updating the responsibilities of the Secretary of State and county clerks regarding the management of campaign finance reports and complaints. Key changes include the requirement for the Secretary of State to provide forms and instructions through their office, develop a filing system, and receive all necessary reports. The bill also introduces a process for waiving late filing fees based on good cause, which includes specific circumstances such as medical issues or unforeseen events. Additionally, it establishes a clearer timeline for the Secretary of State to respond to declaratory ruling requests and outlines the procedures for handling complaints about violations of the act.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the language used throughout the act to ensure clarity and consistency, such as changing "his or her" to "the secretary of state's" and "a person" to "an individual." It also specifies the process for the Secretary of State to refer complaints to the Attorney General if they involve potential violations by the Secretary or their immediate family. The bill emphasizes the importance of public transparency by requiring the Secretary of State to make various documents and rulings available for public inspection within specified timeframes. Overall, these amendments aim to enhance the efficiency and accountability of campaign finance regulation in Michigan.

Statutes affected:
Senate Introduced Bill: 169.215