SB 707 Michigan Senate · 2023-2024 Regular Session

Elections: offenses; false statements or misrepresentations concerning elections; prohibit. Amends 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.1 - 168.992) by adding sec. 931c.

This bill adds a new section to Michigan's election law that imposes civil fines on individuals who knowingly make false statements about election details, voter eligibility, or voting penalties. The law specifically targets misinformation intended to stop people from voting and sets a maximum penalty of $1,000 for each violation. It also holds employers of election workers accountable with fines up to $10,000 unless they can prove they were unaware of the worker's intent to spread misinformation. Local governments are given a legal presumption that they did not know about such violations before they occurred.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Dec 2024
Senate Passage
Dec 2024
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2024 Last action Dec 13, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
13
Key actions
2
Committee
5
Dec 13, 2024
House · Referred to committee
referred to Committee on Government Operations
Dec 13, 2024
House · Introduced
received on 12/13/2024
Dec 12, 2024
Senate · Passed
PASSED ROLL CALL # 531 YEAS 20 NAYS 16 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0
Dec 12, 2024
Senate · Passed
SUBSTITUTE (S-2) CONCURRED IN
Dec 12, 2024
Senate · Reported by committee
REPORTED BY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-2)
Nov 26, 2024
Senate · Referred to committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-2)
Nov 26, 2024
Senate · Reported by committee
REPORTED FAVORABLY WITH SUBSTITUTE (S-2)
Feb 6, 2024
Senate · Referred to committee
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS AND ETHICS
Feb 6, 2024
Senate · Introduced
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MARY CAVANAGH
1 primary · 8 co-sponsors

Sponsors