LANSING — A new legislative proposal in Lansing would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act to add enforcement mechanisms for campaign finance violations involving the secretary of state.
Sen. Jonathan Lindsey and Rep. Angela Rigas introduced Senate Bill 422 and House Bill 4642 following a determination by Attorney General Dana Nessel that Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson had violated campaign finance rules. According to the lawmakers, current law lacks procedures to address such violations when committed by the office tasked with oversight.
The legislation would require complaints related to the secretary of state, their family members, or affiliated campaigns to be referred directly to the attorney general. It also outlines how violations would be addressed, including options for informal resolutions, civil fines, and criminal charges. All actions would be subject to public disclosure, including complaints and final agreements.
The proposal arrives amid ongoing partisan debate over election administration and transparency. Supporters describe the bill as a safeguard against conflicts of interest. Critics have not yet issued formal responses, though similar measures in other states have faced scrutiny for political targeting or redundancy with existing ethics procedures.
The bills have been referred to their respective elections committees in the House and Senate.
If adopted, the legislation would alter how campaign finance complaints are handled when they involve the secretary of state, creating a separate enforcement track to avoid perceived conflicts. The proposal is expected to generate debate as it advances through the legislative process.