2015 Senate Bill 571 / Public Act 269

Repeal annual union PAC contribution “re-up” requirement

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 20, 2015

Introduced by Sen. Mike Kowall (R-15)

To repeal a requirement that union members or employees of a corporation who wish to have contributions to a union or corporate Political Action Committee (PAC) automatically deducted from their paycheck must affirmatively give consent on an annual basis by means of signing a permission form. The bill would repeal the annual “re-up” requirement. Also, to allow unions to ask members to contribute to their PAC on the same form they use to ask them to pay union dues, with similar provisions for companies and nonprofits.

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Government Reform

Oct. 29, 2015

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Nov. 4, 2015

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To repeal a requirement that union members or employees of a corporation who wish to have contributions to a union or corporate PAC automatically deducted from their paycheck must affirmatively give consent on an annual basis by means of signing a permission form. The bill would repeal the annual “re-up” requirement. Also, to allow unions to ask members to contribute to their Political Action Committee (PAC) on the same form they use to ask them to pay union dues, with similar provisions for companies and nonprofits.

Received in the House

Nov. 4, 2015

Referred to the Committee on Elections

Dec. 9, 2015

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

Dec. 16, 2015

Substitute offered by Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-86)

To add provisions revising a number of campaign finance law details, and prohibiting school districts and local governments from sending any communications to residents that mention an upcoming property tax millage or other local ballot measure within 60 days of the vote.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-86)

To exempt incumbent judge campaign committees that raise or spend less than $1,000 from certain campaign finance reporting mandates.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 58 to 48 (details)

To repeal a requirement that union members or employees of a corporation who wish to have contributions to a union or corporate PAC automatically deducted from their paycheck must affirmatively give consent on an annual basis by means of signing a permission form. The bill would repeal the annual “re-up” requirement. Also, to add provisions revising a number of campaign finance law details, and prohibit schools and local governments from sending any communication to residents that mentions an upcoming property tax millage election within 60 days of the vote.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 16, 2015

Amendment offered by Sen. David Knezek (D-5)

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Bill 224, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. SB 224 would a impose two-year moratorium on lobbying by a former member of the Michigan House or Senate, or a former governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and Secretary of State.

The amendment failed 12 to 25 (details)

Substitute offered by Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-23)

To adopt a substitute that strips out many of the bill's provisions, and replaced them with provisions preferred by Democratic members.

The substitute failed 12 to 25 (details)

Amendment offered

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Bill 194, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. SB 194 would to require candidates for most state and many local offices to file make detailed disclosures regarding their personal and family finances.

The amendment failed 12 to 25 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To strip out a provision repealing a mandate that election "robocalls" include an "I approve of this ad" type disclaimer.

The amendment passed 19 to 18 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Coleman Young (D-1)

To impose additional campaign finance disclosure requirements on "independent expenditure committees".

The amendment failed 12 to 25 (details)

Motion to reconsider

To reconsider the vote by which the Bieda amendment was adopted.

The motion passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Sen. Steve Bieda (D-9)

To impose additional campaign finance disclosure requirements on "independent expenditure committees".

The amendment failed 18 to 19 (details)

Passed in the Senate 25 to 12 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which added provisions revising a number of campaign finance law details, and prohibiting schools and local governments from sending any communication to residents that mentions an upcoming property tax millage election within 60 days of the vote.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 31, 2015