MI SB0053

Establishes a public campaign funding law for candidates seeking election to the Michigan Supreme Court, effective for elections after January 1, 2010.

Creates a public campaign fund financed through $3.00 voluntary tax checkoffs on individual income tax returns, with funds distributed equally to certified candidates who meet participation requirements.

Requires participating judicial candidates to collect at least $50,000 in contributions of $500 or less during a specified contribution period (February 15 - August 31 of election year) and accept only those contributions before certification.

Limits certified candidates' campaign expenditures to participating contributions received plus public fund distributions, with additional fund payments triggered if opponents' independent expenditures exceed the certified candidate's initial distribution by a factor determined by the secretary of state.

Imposes civil fines up to $10,000 per violation and criminal penalties including up to 90 days imprisonment for knowing violations of the public campaign funding law.