Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Election Security topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor seeks ban on future voting‑equipment parts from foreign suppliers on FCC watch list
Summary
House Bill 4720 would prohibit the purchase of voting systems that include parts or equipment from foreign companies the sponsor says the FCC has flagged as security risks; the bill includes a narrow grandfathering provision allowing continued use if systems received prior approval from the Board of State Canvassers.
Representative Smith told the Rules Committee that House Bill 4720 would bar new voting equipment purchases that contain parts from foreign suppliers deemed an unacceptable security risk on the Federal Communications Commission’s list. Smith described the measure as a forward‑looking protection designed to close supply‑chain and equipment vulnerabilities while avoiding the immediate replacement of existing, approved machines.
"If these companies on the federal watch list are deemed national security risks for communications equipment, Michigan should also recognize them as a security risk for our election equipment," Smith said, arguing the proposal would "fix any weak links and close any open gaps in the system." The bill’s sponsor explained a substitute provision would permit systems that received Board of State Canvassers approval prior to an FCC listing to remain in use, preventing sudden last‑minute cancellations.
Committee members asked whether the prohibition would be applied prospectively (after enactment) and Smith confirmed the bill’s language is forward‑looking and would not require ripping out currently used systems. A public commenter, Sherry Richie of Pure Integrity Michigan Elections, was recorded as not wishing to speak on the bill.
No committee action to advance the bill was recorded during the hearing; the sponsor’s presentation and recorded public comment appear in the hearing record.
