MI HB4692

Changes language in Section 11 of the Lobbying Regulation Act from "be employed as a lobbyist agent" to "act as a lobbyist agent" for compensation contingent on administrative or legislative outcomes, maintaining felony penalties up to $10,000 for individuals or $25,000 for non-individuals.

Revises the definition of "financial institution" to reference section 1202 of the 1999 Banking Code and the Motor Vehicle Sales Finance Act, clarifying which institutions may provide normal course business loans to public officials without violating gift restrictions.

Increases misdemeanor penalties for giving gifts valued at $3,000 or less from a maximum $5,000 fine to $7,500, and adds authority for courts to impose additional civil fines of up to $2,000 per violation.

Maintains felony penalties for gifts exceeding $3,000 in value, with imprisonment up to 3 years or fines up to $10,000 for individuals, or up to $25,000 for non-individuals.

Changes Section 11(3) terminology from "civil penalty" to "civil fine" for unauthorized commercial use of lobbying registration information (maximum $1,000), and clarifies grammatical language for public official lobbying compensation restrictions.

Effective date: January 1, 2022.