LANSING, Mich. — Political commercials that attack a Michigan lawmaker over a vote would have to point to the actual final vote under a bill introduced in the state House during the last week of the campaign.
House Bill 6439, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Reggie Miller of the 31st District, was introduced and read a first time on Oct. 28 and sent to the House Committee on Election Integrity. It would amend the Michigan Campaign Finance Act by adding a new Section 59a on transparency for paid political advertising.
Under the proposal, a TV ad that makes a factual claim drawn from official government records would need to show a clear source disclosure that links straight to the record behind it. Pointing viewers to a state legislative website would automatically satisfy the rule, and the Secretary of State could sign off on another approach when an ad is too short or small for the standard disclosure.
The bill also deals with vote attacks. Any spot accusing a lawmaker of backing or opposing a measure would need to name the vote that actually decided its passage. If the ad points to an earlier procedural step, it would have to say that step was not final passage and either give the result of the final vote or note that no such vote took place.
Some mistakes could be fixed without a fine if the advertiser stops running the flawed spot and begins fixing it in good faith no more than 48 hours after being notified in writing, a window shortened to 24 hours within 60 days of an election. That safe harbor would not cover mischaracterized votes, missing final votes or deceptive disclosures.
The bill has no immediate effect on this year races. The House is adjourned until Nov. 5, after Election Day.
Section: More Ann Arbor MI politics news
Filed under: Ann Arbor MI Politics News
