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Rules committee hears bill to let attorney general enforce campaign-finance penalties against secretary of state
Summary
Representative Regas told the House Rules Committee HB 4642 would close a gap in the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by authorizing the attorney general to impose penalties for violations by the secretary of state after an investigation; committee discussion clarified facts and the item will be considered again at a later meeting.
During a hearing of the Michigan House Rules Committee, Representative Regas testified in support of House Bill 4642, saying the bill would empower the attorney general to impose penalties for campaign-finance violations committed by the secretary of state or members of the secretary’s immediate family.
The measure, Regas said, would close what she described as a ‘‘glaring loophole’’ in the Michigan Campaign Finance Act that leaves the secretary of state effectively responsible for referring violations to the attorney general without a path to enforcement. ‘‘This bill closes that gap by empowering the attorney general to handle enforcement directly, ensuring the secretary of state is held to the same standards as every other candidate in Michigan,’’ Representative Regas said.
Regas cited an example in which Secretary of State Benson held a campaign kickoff inside a state office building that houses the Michigan Department of State. According to Regas, the matter was referred to the attorney general, who confirmed a violation but said she lacked authority to impose penalties. Regas told the committee the bill would authorize informal resolution for non-felony violations and pursuit of criminal penalties or civil hearings where required.
Chair Schuette asked whether the secretary of state should have known that using public resources for campaign activity was prohibited. Representative Regas replied, ‘‘It should have.’’ Representative Posthumus and other committee members asked clarifying questions about the process; Regas reiterated the bill’s intent to remove the conflict of interest that arises when an office must investigate itself.
No committee vote was taken on HB 4642 during the hearing; Representative Regas said she looks forward to the committee’s consideration at a future meeting.
