Election Integrity

Michigan House Bill 6318 amends the state election law to explicitly prohibit denying or abridging any citizen's right to vote based on their sex. The bill adds a new section, 492c, to the Michigan Election Code to establish this specific protection. This provision directly affects all voters in the state by ensuring that gender cannot be used as a basis for restricting voting access.

This bill amends the Michigan Limited Liability Company Act to explicitly prohibit domestic LLCs from spending money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, or ballot issues, while allowing them to continue existing financial obligations and news-related commentary. It also restricts foreign LLCs from engaging in similar political spending within the state, with the added consequence that any such unauthorized spending would be considered invalid and subject to disgorgement. Furthermore, the legislation grants the state administrator the authority to revoke the business license of a foreign LLC that violates these spending restrictions and allows the state to dissolve a domestic LLC that engages in prohibited political expenditures.

HB 6217 amends the Michigan Nonprofit Corporation Act to clarify and expand the legal powers of nonprofit organizations regarding financial transactions and investments. The bill explicitly allows nonprofits to engage in a broader range of activities, such as lending money, investing funds, and making donations for public welfare, educational, or charitable purposes, provided these actions further the corporation's specific purposes. By adding a new section and updating existing ones, the legislation removes previous restrictions that limited how nonprofits could manage their assets and participate in financial agreements. This change directly affects nonprofit corporations across Michigan, giving them greater flexibility to operate financially without violating state laws.

This bill creates a new tax incentive called the "amplify Mi voice credit" for Michigan residents who donate money to support candidates or ballot measures in state and local elections. Starting in the 2028 tax year, eligible taxpayers can claim a credit against their income tax equal to the amount they contribute to specific candidate committees, with a maximum limit of $250 for single filers or $500 for joint filers. To receive the credit, individuals must provide proof of their donations on their tax return, and any unused portion of the credit will be refunded if it exceeds the tax owed. The measure specifically excludes contributions to political party committees, independent groups, and caucus committees, focusing only on direct support for candidates and ballot questions.

HB 6218 amends the Michigan Business Corporation Act to explicitly prohibit corporations from spending money to support or oppose candidates, political parties, committees, or ballot questions. This new restriction, added as Section 261a, applies to both domestic and foreign corporations operating in the state and declares any such spending invalid. While corporations retain the ability to make donations for charitable, educational, or public welfare purposes, they cannot use funds for direct political advocacy. The bill also outlines penalties for violations, including potential dissolution for domestic corporations or revocation of business authority for foreign ones, and grants the attorney general the power to seek legal remedies to enforce these limits.