Compliance Notes - Vol. 6, Issue 19

RECENT LOBBYING, ETHICS & CAMPAIGN FINANCE UPDATES

Campaign Finance & Lobbying Compliance

Michigan: Michigan Senate Democrats reintroduced a package of election bills, including a proposal to fine individuals $1,000 and employers—including lobbyists employing people for election-related purposes—up to $10,000, for knowingly spreading false information about elections or voter eligibility. Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township) said the measure is aimed at deterring misinformation that confuses voters and undermines confidence in elections, citing recent false claims about Michigan's voter rolls. Republicans raised concerns about partisan enforcement, with Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Holly) warning the bill could be applied politically. The committee also advanced Democrat-sponsored bills to ban per-signature payments to petition circulators, require summaries to be read to signers and count duplicate petition signatures once. All four bills passed the Senate Elections