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Bill

SB 422

Campaign finance: violations; authority of the attorney general's office to resolve violations involving the secretary of state; provide for. Amends sec. 15 of 1976 PA 388 (MCL 169.215).

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Bellino and 7 co-sponsors

Michigan bill expanding Attorney General authority to resolve campaign finance violations alongside or instead of the Secretary of State.

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
#campaignfinance:violations #stateagencies(existing):attorneygeneral #stateagencies(existing):state
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Bill Summary · SB 422

Legislative bill overview

SB 422 modifies Michigan's campaign finance law to grant the Attorney General's office authority to resolve campaign finance violations that involve the Secretary of State. Previously, the Secretary of State likely had primary or exclusive jurisdiction over these matters. The bill amends the Public Campaign Finance Act of 1976 to clarify and potentially expand the AG's enforcement role.

Why is this important

Campaign finance enforcement affects the integrity of elections and political accountability. Clarifying which state official handles violations can either strengthen oversight through concurrent authority or create jurisdictional conflicts. This change could influence how quickly violations are addressed and what remedies are available, potentially affecting candidate compliance with donation limits and disclosure requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Jurisdictional clarity vs. conflict: Granting both AG and Secretary of State authority could create overlapping enforcement or conflicting decisions, or it could strengthen accountability—depending on how the amendment specifies their respective roles
  • Political implications: Changes to campaign finance enforcement authority can be viewed as strengthening or weakening oversight depending on which office is considered more aggressive or impartial
  • Resource and efficiency concerns: Dividing enforcement authority between two offices may create procedural delays or redundancy versus establishing clear, streamlined responsibility

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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