A resolution to call upon the United States Congress to propose and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment to clarify that the states and Congress may set reasonable limits on the spending of money to influence elections, including distinctions between natural persons and artificial entities.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rosemary Bayer and 4 co-sponsors

A constitutional amendment would let both Congress and states set reasonable limits on money spent to influence elections, with distinctions for individuals vs. artificial entities

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Summary of Senate Resolution 125 (2025-2026, Michigan)

Purpose and intent

SR 125 is a resolution urging the United States Congress to propose and send to the states for ratification a constitutional amendment.

The requested amendment would authorize both the states and Congress to set reasonable limits on money spent to influence elections.

The resolution emphasizes the ability to distinguish between spending by natural persons and artificial entities (e.g., corporations, unions, and artificial intelligence) in both state and federal elections.

The overarching goals cited include protecting free speech, safeguarding political equality, reducing corruption risk, preserving federalism, and ensuring robust self-government.

Key provisions and changes proposed

A constitutional amendment would explicitly permit reasonable spending limits on election influence:

For federal elections, Congress would have power to set reasonable spending limits.
For state elections, states would have power to set reasonable spending limits.

The amendment would allow distinctions between:

Natural persons (individual voters and contributors).
Artificial entities (corporations, unions, and AI entities) in terms of spending restrictions.

The resolution does not itself change law; it calls for federal action to amend the U.S. Constitution to enable these limits.

Who or what would be affected

The primary effect would be at the federal level (via Congress) and the state level (via states), enabling:

Potential implementation of campaign finance limits on spending to influence elections.
Distinctions in treatment between individuals and artificial entities for purposes of those limits.

The resolution targets both federal elections and state elections, potentially affecting campaigns, political committees, corporations, unions, and other entities involved in political spending.

The state of Michigan explicitly frames this as a defense of free speech and self-government while addressing concerns about out-of-state, foreign, or highly influential spending.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The resolution was introduced on May 21, 2026, by Senator Edward M. McBroom.

It has several co-sponsors (Rosemary Bayer, Ed McBroom, Jonathan Lindsey, Jeff Irwin, Joe Bellino).

As a resolution, SR 125 serves as a formal call to action rather than enacting law; it does not itself impose spending limits.

If enacted by Michigan's Senate and potentially paired with the House, the resolution would urge federal constitutional action, which would require:

U.S. Congress proposing an amendment to the Constitution.
Ratification by the states, per Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

Context and significance

The resolution aligns with ongoing national debates about money in politics and constitutional rights to spend in elections.

By advocating for a clarifying amendment, Michigan seeks to empower both state and federal authorities to implement reasonable limits while acknowledging distinctions between individuals and organizational/artificial entities.

If you’d like, I can compare SR 125 to related federal efforts or summarize the potential implications of such an amendment on campaign finance law.