BALLOT PROPOSAL STATEMENTS OF PURPOSE

House Bill 6288 

Sponsor:  Rep. Chris Ward 

House Bill 6289

Sponsor:  Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker

Committee:  House Oversight, Elections, and Ethics

Complete to 8-7-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 6288 AND 6289 AS INTRODUCED 6-29-06

The bills would amend two sections of the Michigan Election Law to provide that the statement of purpose for a ballot question prepared by the State Director of Elections would be considered to be approved, unless the board of state canvassers disapproved the statement.

Currently under the law, the Director of Elections is required to prepare a statement of purpose for any proposed constitutional amendment or statewide ballot question.  The statement of purpose cannot exceed 100 words (excluding the caption) and must be a true and impartial statement in language that creates no prejudice for or against the proposal.  The statement of purpose must be approved by the Board of State Canvassers.

House Bills 6288 and 6289 would retain these provisions, except that it would specify that the statement of purpose prepared by the Director of Elections would be considered approved by the Board of State Canvassers unless the statement were disapproved by a majority vote of the members appointed to and serving on the board.

MCL 168.32 and 168.474

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bills would have no fiscal impact on state government or local units of government.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.