Michigan bill aims to crack down on dark money

(The Center Square) – The Michigan House has passed legislation that would make campaign finance violations easier to address as they happen, part of a larger package of bills to improve accountability and fiscal transparency in the state’s government.

HB 5583 would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to allow the secretary of state to seek immediate court injunctions against campaign finance violations, rather than go through the current months-long court process.

“The citizens of Michigan deserve transparent, ethical leaders and a government that works for them,” SOS Jocelyn Benson said. “With real-time campaign finance enforcement authority, the Bureau of Elections could ask the court to immediately stop criminal behavior, rather than wait for a months-long process to play out.”

The bill is one of seven making up the Bringing Reforms in Integrity, Transparency and Ethics Act, which a group of House Democratic Lawmakers introduced in March. The six other bills in the BRITE Act cover issues including lobbying limits on former office holders, limits and disclosure requirements on gifts and services received by a legislative member, and financial reporting requirements for political nonprofits or nonprofits owned by a legislative member.

"Powerful interests have exploited gaps in our campaign finance laws to influence elections and public policy for far too long," Attorney General Dana Nessel said in response to HB 5583’s passage. "I applaud the House for passing this bill, and I will continue to advocate for other bills in the BRITE Act legislative package. By strengthening our laws, we can restore public trust in our government and ensure that elected officials are accountable to the people they serve, not lobbyists or donors with deep pockets."

HB 5583 would also require the SOS to notify the person alleged to have violated campaign finance laws and allow the person to respond.