Legislative Analysis
Phone: (517) 373-8080
DISCLOSURE OF CAMPAIGN
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa
TELEPHONE CALL FUNDING
Analysis available at
House Bill 4196 as introduced http://www.legislature.mi.gov
Sponsor: Rep. Pamela Hornberger
Committee: Elections and Ethics
Complete to 6-14-21
SUMMARY:
House Bill 4196 would add a section to the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to require that an
automated phone call relating to an election, candidate, or ballot question state clearly the name
of the party paying for the call, as well as the following disclaimers, as appropriate, at the
beginning of the call:
If the call related to a candidate and was an independent expenditure not authorized in
writing by the candidate's candidate committee, the call would have to state clearly that
it was “not authorized by any candidate committee.”
If the call related to a candidate and was not an independent expenditure, but was paid
for by a person other than the candidate, the call would have to state clearly that it was
“authorized by [name of candidate or candidate committee].”
A person who knowingly violated this section would be subject to a civil fine of up to $1,000
for each violation.
An independent expenditure is defined elsewhere in the act as an expenditure by a
person that is not made at the direction of, or under the control of, another person and
that is not a contribution to a committee.
Proposed MCL 169.248
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.
Legislative Analyst: Jenny McInerney
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Cnossen
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their
deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
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Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 169.201, 169.282