INITIATIVE PETITIONS S.B. 280:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 280 (as introduced 3-24-21)
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Election Law to do the following:
-- Allow an initiative petition to be filed with the Secretary of State (SOS) at least 200 days, instead of 160 days, before the election in which it would appear on the ballot.
-- Require the Board of State Canvassers to complete the canvass of an initiative petition within 100 days after the petition was filed with the SOS.
-- Require an initiative petition to be forwarded immediately to the Legislature for consideration if it were found to be sufficient by the Board.
Currently, initiative petitions must be filed with the SOS at least 160 days before the election at which the proposed law would appear on the ballot if the Legislature rejects or fails to enact the proposed law. Under the bill, a petition would have to be filed with the SOS at least 200 days, instead of 160 days, before the election in which it would appear on the ballot.
Generally, unless otherwise provided, the Board of State Canvassers must make an official declaration of the sufficiency or insufficiency of an initiative petition no later than 100 days before the election at which the proposal is to be submitted.
Under the bill, the Board of State Canvassers would have to complete the canvass of an initiative petition within 100 days after the petition was filed with the SOS. If the Board declared that an initiative petition were sufficient, the initiative petition would have to be immediately forwarded to the Legislature for consideration.
MCL 168.471 & 168.477 Legislative Analyst: Dana Adams
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.