Bill to force attorney-general review of secretary of state finance complaints wins committee hearing

Representative Regas presented House Bill 4642 to the House Committee on Election Integrity, saying the legislation would require the secretary of state’s office to refer campaign finance complaints to the attorney general for investigation and possible civil or criminal penalties. The bill would also mandate public disclosure of complaints and resolutions, Regas said.

"Now there will be no excuses to enforce that law," Regas said, arguing the measure closes what she described as an enforcement gap in the current statute. She said the bill was prompted by recent findings from the attorney general’s office about campaign-finance irregularities involving the secretary of state and intended to ensure officials can be held accountable.

Committee members asked about the bill’s scope and remedies. Representative Outman said penalties should be left to the attorney general and judges after investigation; Regas agreed. Representative Hoadley asked whether the bill applies only to the secretary of state or could apply more broadly to other election officials; Regas confirmed the bill is specific to the secretary of state’s office and encouraged colleagues to introduce separate bills for other reforms.

Representative Song urged broader campaign finance reforms (for example, residency rules for candidates) but Regas said HB 4642 addresses a discrete issue and invited further legislation for other topics. The committee accepted public comment cards supporting the bill from groups and individuals including Melanie Macey of Promote the Vote and Bill Zagman of the Michigan associations of county and municipal clerks.

The committee did not vote on HB 4642 at this hearing; members discussed potential legislation on audit standards and enforcement in connection with the earlier testimony.