MI HB5086

Prohibits public bodies and their employees from using public resources (funds, personnel, equipment, facilities) to establish, administer, or support payroll deduction plans that collect contributions or make expenditures for political committees.

Exempts certain activities from the prohibition, including expression of views by elected officials with policy-making responsibilities, dissemination of factual information, equal access to public facilities for all candidates, and personal activities by public employees on their own time and funds.

Allows private citizens residing or doing business in affected jurisdictions to file civil lawsuits seeking declaratory, injunctive, or mandamus relief if the Secretary of State dismisses complaints or enters inadequate conciliation agreements regarding violations of the payroll deduction plan prohibition.

Establishes criminal penalties of up to $1,000 fine or 1 year imprisonment for individuals who knowingly violate the public resources restriction, or up to $20,000 or the amount of improper contribution/expenditure for non-individuals, whichever is greater.

Declares state policy that public bodies must maintain strict neutrality in elections and sets a rule of construction that any ambiguity in section 57 shall be interpreted to effectuate strict public body neutrality.