November 1, 2017, Introduced by Reps. Love, Moss, Greig, Neeley, Hertel, Gay-Dagnogo, Faris, Sowerby, Wittenberg, Geiss, Pagan, Elder, Ellison, Chang, Sabo, Lasinski, Yaroch, Clemente, Rabhi, Hammoud and Zemke and referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics.
A bill to amend 1954 PA 116, entitled
"Michigan election law,"
(MCL 168.1 to 168.992) by adding sections 484a and 956a.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 484a. (1) If an organization employs an individual to
circulate or obtain signatures on a ballot question petition
proposing a constitutional amendment, initiation of legislation, or
referendum of legislation, the individual shall not intentionally
make a false statement or misrepresentation concerning the
contents, purport, or effect of the ballot question petition to any
of the following individuals:
(a) An individual who signs the ballot question petition.
(b) An individual who desires to sign the ballot question
petition.
(c) An individual who is requested to sign the ballot question
petition.
(d) An individual who makes inquiries with reference to the
ballot question petition.
(e) An individual to whom the ballot question petition is
presented for signature.
(2) If an organization employs an individual to circulate or
obtain signatures on a ballot question petition proposing a
constitutional amendment, initiation of legislation, or referendum
of legislation, the individual shall not knowingly and willfully
circulate, publish, or exhibit a false statement or
misrepresentation concerning the contents, purport, or effect of
the constitutional amendment, initiative, or referendum for the
purpose of obtaining an individual's signature on the ballot
question petition or for the purpose of persuading or influencing
an individual to sign the ballot question petition.
(3) If an individual employed by an organization to circulate
or obtain signatures on a ballot question petition proposing a
constitutional amendment, initiation of legislation, or referendum
of legislation violates any provision of this section, the
organization is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not
more than $10,000.00.
Sec. 956a. (1) If an organization employs an individual to
circulate or obtain signatures on a recall petition, the individual
shall not intentionally make a false statement or misrepresentation
concerning the contents, purport, or effect of the recall petition
to any of the following individuals:
(a) An individual who signs the recall petition.
(b) An individual who desires to sign the recall petition.
(c) An individual who is requested to sign the recall
petition.
(d) An individual who makes inquiries with reference to the
recall petition.
(e) An individual to whom the recall petition is presented for
signature.
(2) If an organization employs an individual to circulate or
obtain signatures on a recall petition, the individual shall not
knowingly and willfully circulate, publish, or exhibit a false
statement or misrepresentation concerning the contents, purport, or
effect of the recall for the purpose of obtaining an individual's
signature on the recall petition or for the purpose of persuading
or influencing an individual to sign the recall petition.
(3) If an individual employed by an organization to circulate
or obtain signatures on a recall petition violates any provision of
this section, the organization is guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000.00.